What are Fibroids?

Fibroid tumors. Two words that no woman wants to hear from her doctor, but despite the presence of the word tumor, it’s not a diagnosis for cancer. In fact, it’s actually a benign muscular growth in the uterus. Not that the pain or inconvenience it causes is, by any means, benign. In fact, the effects of having fibroids are quite acute—they can cause intense pelvic pain, pain in the lower back, painful intercourse, increased urination, heavy and painful menstruation cycles, enlarged abdomen, infertility, and complications during pregnancy. Fibroids, although rare, can be cancerous.

A Growing Issue

Unfortunately, the exact cause for the development of fibroids in the uterus hasn’t been pinpointed, but most evidence indicates that the condition is linked to genetics and hormones. Fluctuations in progesterone and estrogen trigger the tumor’s growth, and because of that, one of the most effective non-surgical methods of treatment is hormone therapy, along with pain medications to counteract the pain and iron supplements to elevate the blood count and reverse the anemia caused by the blood loss that so often occurs because of fibroids.

It’s an amazingly common condition, though many women who suffer from fibroids feel quite alone in their diagnosis. The limitations it causes, both in daily life and in making future plans, can be overwhelming and extremely distressing; though once a diagnosis has actually been made, there is a great deal of hope.

Cutting The Pain

While hormonal treatment plans are certainly ideal in the minds of most women due to the fact that they require no surgery, there are instances when surgery truly is the best option in treating a fibroid uterus. Fortunately, with the many advancements made in medical technology, even surgeries such as hysterectomies can be performed without the necessity of large incision sites, resulting in less scarring, less recovery time, and less time under anesthesia. The development of specializations such as female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery have given rise to a marked increase in the usage of various forms of laparoscopic surgery including laparoscopic surgery and a highly innovative, robotically assisted method known as daVinci surgery, meaning that surgery to remove the tumor or the uterus no longer has to be as painful, distressing, or disruptive as it once was.

Whatever treatment plan is determined to be the most viable, it’s important to remember that there is hope of living free from this painful condition.

Don’t let pain keep your plans for the future from growing! Give Dr. Michael Coyle and his caring staff at Coyle Institute a call today!