How to Deal with Fibroids

Fibroids are a common problem, affecting every 1 out of 5 women. Commonly affected are the women over 35. But there are women as myself who deal with fibroids begining from early 20's. Fibroids are almost always benign and in many women there are no symptoms so they often go unnoticed. Through a pelvic or sonogram, they can be detected. Educating yourself is best, knowing the signs and symptoms. They can cause minor to major problems. Symptoms include painful, heavy and prolonged menstrual bleeding that can lead to anemia. They cause bloating and during ovulation cramping similar to those of a contraction. When either the size or position of fibroids puts pressure on other abdominal organs they can cause urinary continence, constipation or infertility. Multiple tumors are common, and they can range in size from a pea to a grapefruit. Large fibroids can cause an enlarged abdomen and uterus and sometimes equivalent to a 12-week pregnancy.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• A good gyn
• Knowing there are options

1. If you wish to get pregnant, know that there are many woman who do carry full term although the risk of pre mature labor is high. You may also have a painful pregnancy due to the fetus in competition with the fibroids, fighting for space in the uterus. You may feel pain, sharp thrusts on one side, especially beginning at the 9th week of pregnancy.
2. Make sure you get second even third opinions concerning surgery. If you are anemic, heavy periods, shapr pains in the abdomin, you should consider removing them. Know the size, where they are located. Find out which option is best for you and move on from there. Women who have completed childbearing and those who have reached menopause may also be reluctant to undergo a hysterectomy and seek alternative therapies.
3. Some women report a high level of satisfaction after hysterectomy for uncontrolled bleeding. For others the decision is fraught with both physical and psychological concerns. Taking time to make a decision that's right for you is essential. Partial hysterectomy where you keep your ovaries is a safe and simple procedure and patients often or always feel relived afterwards. It is about a 4-6 week recovery and the discomfort should be minimal.
4. Advil and Motrin, taken on an ongoing basis, may be prescribed to help reduce blood loss and cramps. Iron supplements are also prescribed if blood loss has caused anemia.
5. Drugs known as GnRH agonists can shrink fibroids by as much as half. The drugs work by suppressing estrogen production, and side effects include hot flashes, vaginal dryness and bone loss.
   
   The side effects are serious enough that these drugs are prescribed for only a short period, usually only three to six months, and tumors enlarge again when they are discontinued.
6. Myomectomy involves greater blood loss during surgery than hysterectomy and also has a higher risk for hemorrhage after surgery. On the plus side it carries less chance of infection and of damage to the urinary tract compared with hysterectomy.
7. Laparoscopic surgery is performed by inserting a viewing scope and surgical instruments through small incisions made in the abdomen. The technique can be useful for treating fibroids growing on the outer walls of the uterus.
8. Embolization works by cutting off blood supply to fibroids. A small incision is made in the groin, and a catheter is threaded to the site of the blood vessels that supply the tumor. Tiny plastic particles are injected into the vessels to block them, thus shrinking the fibroid. This is still considered an experimental procedure. Not all hospitals offer this since it is fairly new.

Tips & Warnings

• As physicians work to develop new techniques for treating fibroids, women have more alternatives to hysterectomy. Taking the time to discuss treatment options and to seek second or even third opinions will help women identify the best treatment to fit their individual physical and psychological needs.
• If you are going through a tampon or sanitary pad within 30 minutes during your period, if you find it difficult to urinate or feel pressure in your back or groin, if you feel bloated, go to your gyn. Chances are you have fibroids. They are extremely common. Get checked and talk about what option is best for you.