Fibroids are very common, affecting 70-80% of women by the time they reach 50. Fibroids generally don’t pose a health risk, but if they grow large enough, they can present problems. At Southeast Texas OB/GYN Associates, P.A., the expert team routinely helps women in Beaumont, Texas, deal with the negative consequences of problematic fibroids.
Fibroids Q & A
When it comes to fibroids, there’s good news and bad news. For the good news, fibroids are tumors that grow inside your uterus, but these tumors are largely benign, meaning they aren’t cancerous. Many women develop fibroids, especially in their 40s and 50s (though they can develop in women of any age during their reproductive years) and are not even aware of their existence.
For some, however (and here’s where the bad news comes in), the fibroids can grow large enough that they affect your menstrual cycle, your fertility, and your comfort.
Problematic fibroids often cause the following symptoms:
- Pain or pressure in your pelvic region
- Heavy menstrual bleeding
- Periods that last more than a week
- Frequent urination
- Constipation
- Backaches
The severity of these symptoms vary from one woman to the next, but they can greatly affect your quality of life if they’re moderate to severe.
The exact cause of uterine fibroids is unknown, but researchers believe the following play a role:
- Heredity
- Hormones
- Race (black women are more likely to develop fibroids than white women)
There are a number of treatments at Southeast Texas OB/GYN Associates, P.A. that address uterine fibroids, including:
Hormone regulation
Oral contraceptives can help regulate your bleeding and an IUD that releases progestin can stop the heavy bleeding associated with fibroids. Medications that block your estrogen and progesterone production can also help shrink your fibroids.
Robotic surgery
Southeast Texas OB/GYN Associates, P.A. is equipped with the latest surgical technology that delivers a more precise and less invasive method to remove large fibroids. Called robotic surgery, the doctor makes only small incisions, through which she threads specialized equipment that provides real-time imaging and tools for precise removal.
In more extreme cases, the doctors turn to this minimally invasive technique to remove your uterus, putting a permanent end to your fibroid problem.
If uterine fibroids are causing you pain or interfering with your ability to get pregnant, call Southeast Texas OB/GYN Associates, P.A., or use the online scheduling tool to book an appointment.