Do Ovarian Cysts Always Require Removal?
Ovarian cysts may sound like a serious reproductive health condition, but in fact, they’re common and usually not symptomatic, and often disappear over time. You may never know you’ve had a cyst.
Understanding the Signs of Uterine Fibroids and When to Seek Treatment
Though as many as 80% of women in the country may have uterine fibroids by the time they reach the age of 50, not all of them have symptoms. Those who do could have problems like heavy menstruation, urinary problems, and abdominal distension.
These tumors are usually benign, though they range in size from very small to very large. Fort Worth gynecologist John A. Whitfield, MD, specializes in uterine fibroid care, from diagnosis to treatment.
Understanding the signs of uterine fibroids and when to seek treatment are two key aspects of living comfortably with this condition. Let’s look more closely at how these tumors form and how to deal with the symptoms.
Causes of uterine fibroids
It’s common for women to develop uterine fibroids, muscular tumors that grow in the walls of the uterus. These fibroids rarely become cancerous, and they aren’t associated with an increased risk of other uterine cancers either.
The precise reasons why uterine fibroids form aren’t fully understood. Genetics and personal hormone levels each play a role, as might certain natural growth factors and irregularities in the extracellular matrix in the uterus.
Risk factors for uterine fibroid development include family connections, such as having a mother or sister with fibroids, as well as:
- Black women have a higher rate of fibroid formation than other racial groups
- Starting your period before the age of 10
- Dietary habits, like high levels of red meat and low levels of dairy, fruits, and green vegetables
- Obesity
- Vitamin D deficiency
- Alcohol consumption
Fibroids can develop during pregnancy, but these often shrink or disappear after childbirth.
Signs and symptoms of fibroids
You may not know you have uterine fibroids if you don’t develop symptoms, and given their benign nature, there’s no reason to worry about these.
When fibroid symptoms develop, they usually include these common signs:
- Heavy menstrual periods
- Frequent or long periods
- Painful menstruation
- Pain during sex
- Pelvic pain or feelings of pressure
- Urinary problems, including frequent urges or trouble passing urine
- Constipation
- Pain in the lower back or stomach
- Growing in the lower abdomen/stomach areas
Fibroids range in size from microscopic to very large. In extreme cases, a patient with very large fibroids could appear to be pregnant.
When to seek treatment for uterine fibroids
Symptomatic fibroids can impact your daily life. Visit Dr. Whitfield when fibroids interfere with your ability to function and enjoy life. Make an appointment when you develop conditions such as:
- Heavy or painful periods that keep you from everyday tasks
- Persistent pelvic pain
- Urinary problems like having trouble completely emptying your bladder
- Bleeding or spotting between periods
- Signs and symptoms of anemia, including fatigue and weakness
If you develop sharp pains in your pelvic area or severe vaginal bleeding, seek urgent medical care immediately and follow up with Dr. Whitfield when your condition stabilizes.
Contact John A. Whitfield, MD, at his Fort Worth, Texas, office when you suspect uterine fibroid development. Call us directly at 817-927-2229 to book your appointment now.
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