Fibroid Disease
Fibroid Disease
Fibroid disease affects about 30 percent of women by the time they turn age 35 and from 20-80 percent of women by the time they turn age 50. If you or someone you know has this condition, reach out to Dr. Shiloh. Countless patients trust his expert medical professionals to provide convenient and effective healthcare.
What is Fibroid Disease?
Fibroids, otherwise known as fibroid disease, consist of non-cancerous tumors that develop in the walls of the uterus. They can occur either in bunches or alone, varying in magnitude from practically microscopic to the size of a cantaloupe. Although many women of reproductive age possess fibroids, most of them do not experience symptoms and subsequently never seek a diagnosis. Those who do learn that they have fibroid disease, however, can choose from a wide range of treatment options.
What are the Symptoms?
Symptoms of fibroid disease will vary depending on the location, size, and number of the tumors present. The primary symptoms may include:
- Anemia
- Heavy menstrual bleeding
- Long menstrual period
- Cramping or abdominal pain
- Constipation
- Back or leg pain
- Bloating
- Frequent urination or incontinence
- Pain during sexual intercourse
- Reproductive difficulties
What are the Treatment Options?
Although the fibroid tumors themselves do not pose a threat, the symptoms they caused create health concerns that a medical professional should address. Dr. Aaron Shiloh, MD offers a comprehensive array of treatment options for fibroid disease. These include:
- Observation – Fibroids typically shrink at menopause, so women who are near the menopause age can watch and wait until their symptoms disappear.
- Medication – Over-the-counter medications can be used to treat symptoms like menstrual cramping and back pain.
- Hormone Therapy – Hormones may provide temporary relief from the symptoms caused by fibroids. However, the tumors will grow back when the hormone therapy ends.
- Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE) – This minimally-invasive, non-surgical treatment blocks blood flow to the fibroids, causing them to shrink.
Other possible treatments include laparoscopic uterine artery ligation (LUAL), endometrial ablation, myomectomy, and hysterectomy. To learn more about your treatment options, call him today.
