Uterine Fibroids
Uterine Fibroids and How They Affect Me
What are uterine fibroids?
Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous overgrowths of the muscle wall of the uterus.
Who develops uterine fibroids?
Fibroids are most commonly seen in women between the ages of 35 and 50, but any menstruating woman can develop them. 25 to 30% of reproductive aged women will have symptoms from fibroids that require treatment.
African-American women are three times more likely to develop fibroids than other ethnic groups. They also tend to develop symptoms from their fibroids at a younger age.
What are the symptoms of uterine fibroids?
Symptoms of uterine fibroids usually fall into one of three categories:
1. Pressure and pain symptoms caused by large fibroids pressing on other organs. This
causes:
- A continual feeling of pelvic aching or having to move your bowels
- Constipation
- Strong urges to urinate
- Urinating frequently with small volumes
2. Abnormal uterine bleeding.
- Heavy periods or “flooding.” (saturating more than five pads per day; saturating a pad or a tampon on an hourly basis). This heavy bleeding is often associated with severe cramps, particularly if clots are being passed.
- Many women suffer from anemia with the heavy bleeding, resulting in being constantly “tired.”
- Spotting and bleeding between periods, frequently with cramps.
3. Fertility issues:
- Infertility
- Miscarriages
- Premature labor.
Why do some people get fibroids and others do not?
No one knows the answer to this for sure. We do know fibroids run in families, are more common among African-American women, and they are stimulated by hormones to grow.
When women are in their late 30’s and 40’s their estrogen levels tend to be at a chronically higher level than when they were younger. These higher estrogen levels can be enough to trigger and sustain the growth of fibroids and the occurrence of symptoms.
Are there different types of fibroids?
Fibroids are classified by where they are located in the uterus.
- Fibroids located on the surface of the uterus (subserous and pedunculated) tend to cause symptoms of pressure and pain when they become large. They can get as large as a full-term pregnancy.
- Intramural fibroids are fibroids in the muscle wall of the uterus. They also cause pressure, bleeding and fertility problems.
- Submucous fibroids are fibroids that press into or are completely contained within the uterine cavity. These cause abnormal bleeding, severe cramps, infertility, and miscarriages.
Treatment options and why Independent Medical Consultation is important.
There are many ways to treat fibroids. However, only one is right for you. The treatment has to be fitted to the individual woman. Unfortunately, few gynecologic surgeons offer more than simple hysterectomy as a solution for your fibroids. Each surgeon recommends only what they can do.
Dr. Burke, on the other hand, is a Reproductive Endocrinologist/Gynecologist with advanced training in the treatment of fibroids and 45 years of experience. With your best interest always foremost under Dr. Burke’s care, you are empowered to determine and pursue the ideal treatment for yourself.
Dr. Burke is personally experienced in all surgical and non-surgical approaches to fibroid treatment. His careful listening and discussion with each women with fibroids empowers that woman to safely select her best treatment. Dr. Burke empowers you to get the best care for your fibroids.
Appointments
If you have fibroids, or have symptoms that might be fibroids, let Dr. Burke help you. Call for an appointment today and take the first step to your better life!
Call us at 856-429-2212
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