Fibroid Removal in Reston

Uterine fibroids are an especially tricky and perplexing condition to have. A majority of the time, these non-cancerous tumors within the uterus will not present any symptoms at all, making them quite difficult to diagnose.

For others, symptoms of fibroids can cause a wide range of troublesome symptoms including heavy menstrual bleeding and intense pain. Women who experience daily struggles due to their fibroid symptoms are encouraged to seek treatment because these symptoms will likely only worsen as the fibroid(s) continue to grow even larger over time.

Perfectly Female Women’s Health Care provides comprehensive testing and treatment for uterine fibroids. For more information on uterine fibroids and the treatment options available, please call (703) 796-0200 to schedule your appointment at our gynecology office in Reston, VA today.

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What Causes Fibroids?

Unfortunately, there is no one particular cause to fibroids. Medical professionals and researchers speculate that the development of uterine fibroids is related to hormonal imbalances as well as the patient’s genetic history, meaning that individuals have little to no control over their risk for encountering this condition.

Who Is at Risk for Getting Fibroids?

In addition to having irregular hormone levels and a family history of fibroids, other factors that can influence a woman’s risk of developing fibroids are:

• Her age: Fibroids are most commonly diagnosed between age 30 and 40.
• Her weight: Obese individuals are more likely to suffer from fibroids. The more weight a woman carries, the greater her risk.
• Her ethnicity: African-American women encounter problems with uterine fibroids more than any other ethnic group.
• Her diet: More recent studies have shown that a high intake of red meat can negatively impact a woman’s likelihood to develop fibroid. In contrast, eating more leafy greens and fruit can have a positive effect on this particular risk factor.

What Are the Symptoms of Fibroids?

As mentioned, fibroids typically cause excessive bleeding along with recurring pelvic pain. This pain is often misdiagnosed by patients as regular cramping during their menstrual cycle, but is most often the result of the positioning or increasing size of their uterine fibroids.

In addition to heavy bleeding and pain, fibroids can also cause:

• Bloating of the lower abdomen
• Frequent and sudden need to urinate
• Pain during intercourse
• Problems with fertility
• Low back pain
• Complications during pregnancy

What Are the Different Types of Fibroids?

Uterine fibroids can appear in various areas of the uterus, leading to different categorization based on the location of the patient’s tissue mass. There are 4 distinct types of fibroids, which include:

• Pedunculated fibroids: A fibroid that develops a supportive stem that forms at the base of the tumor.
• Subserosal fibroids: A type of uterine fibroid that grows along the outside of the uterus.
• Intramural fibroids: The most common kind of uterine fibroid, which appears within the uterine wall itself.
• Submucosal fibroids: Similar to the intramural fibroid type, these fibroids also develop within the uterine wall, though they more specifically exist within the submucosal layer of this muscular tissue.

Can YOU Do Anything To Prevent Fibroids?

Some women are predisposed to develop fibroids and experience symptoms. In plain language that means you may have risk factors for fibroids, and you have little control. Black and Hispanic women are more at risk. If a close family relative like your mother or sister has or had them, you are likely to get them. If you have a Vitamin D deficiency, are obese, take birth control, eat a lot of red meat, and began your period at an early age, this makes you more at risk to develop fibroids.

There is really nothing you can do to prevent fibroids. This is especially true if you have some of the risk factors listed above. In addition, there is no method to cure uterine fibroids, but there are treatments.