Uterine Fibroids

What are Fibroid Tumors?

Uterine fibroids grow on or within the muscle tissue of the uterus. They are benign (noncancerous) tumors that may or may not require treatment. It is estimated that nearly 20-40% of women over the age of 35 have uterine fibroids. Their size and location can have an adverse effect on a woman's quality of life. Due to their sensitivity to hormones, generally the symptoms of fibroids will follow a cycle, like menstruation. Fibroids can become enlarged in the beginning stages of menopause due to elevated levels of estrogen. While the process of menopause sees a large decrease in estrogen levels, causing fibroids to shrink, women taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may not experience a decrease in symptoms because of the estrogen involved in this treatment. Uterine fibroids can range in size from roughly that of a walnut to as large as a cantaloupe or possibly larger. They are generally measured in terms of the size of the uterus during pregnancy. Also, there may be a single dominant uterine fibroid, or many smaller ones.

Effective Fibroid Treatments

There are several methods for treating uterine fibroids. Some options include the use of pharmaceuticals such as birth control or GnRH Agonists. Birth control pills can help treat symptoms like excessive menstrual bleeding by tricking the body into thinking it is pregnant. GnRH Agonists decrease the level of estrogen in a woman's body thereby shrinking the fibroids. If the uterine fibroids cannot be treated this way, doctors will often recommend a surgical procedure such as a hysterectomy, which requires the removal of the uterus itself. Today, there are less invasive alternatives to hysterectomy procedures that are effective in treating uterine fibroids. Uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) is one such treatment that has been growing in popularity. Uterine fibroid embolization involves using small spheres to block the vessels delivering blood to the fibroids. Without the oxygen delivered by blood, the fibroids stop growing and begin to shrink. More and more women are taking advantage of this minimally invasive procedure as well as the other hysterectomy alternatives available because they do not require the removal of the uterus or other organs.

For more information about uterine fibroids including the benefits of uterine fibroid embolization, and to determine if you are a candidate for this non-surgical fibroid treatment option, please continue to browse the informational resources on our site. Or find a specialist in your area using our physician locator who can help you gain more insight on uterine fibroids and the minimally-invasive uterine fibroid embolization procedure.