Pelvic pain is a common condition among women of childbearing age. Learn the symptoms and causes of pelvic pain so you can find out how to get relief.
Uterine fibroids are growths in the walls of the uterus. Although these growths tend to be benign—not cancerous—they may cause some annoying symptoms, such as pain, heavy menstrual bleeding, or problems getting pregnant.
When fibroids lead to symptoms, they may require treatment. A common form of fibroid treatment is a procedure known as uterine fibroid embolization.
Darin L. Weyhrich, a board-certified OB/GYN in Boise, Idaho, would like to share information with you about this this procedure.
Although fibroids can occur at any age, they most often develop in women between the ages of 30 and 40.
Uterine fibroids often cause no symptoms. In fact, a woman can have uterine fibroids and never know it. However, in some women, uterine fibroids, which are also referred to as myomas or leiomyomas, can lead to one or more of the following symptoms:
Sometimes, health care providers discover fibroids during a routine pelvic exam, or they look for them when symptoms suggest their presence. You may have one fibroid or several. If Dr. Weyhrich suspects fibroids, he orders imaging tests to learn more.
Fibroids usually require treatment only if they cause symptoms. If you’re postmenopausal, your fibroids may shrink on their own.
Treating uterine fibroids can help reduce or eliminate symptoms. In some cases, Dr. Weyhrich can prescribe hormonal medications that slow or stop the growth of fibroids. If pain is your only symptom, over-the-counter pain medications may offer enough relief.
Sometimes, fibroids require surgical removal.
Another treatment option, uterine fibroid embolization, offers patients a nonsurgical, non-hormonal treatment for fibroids. This minimally invasive procedure requires only a tiny incision and can be performed on an outpatient basis.
Uterine fibroid embolization requires no anesthesia, although you do receive a medication that relaxes you.
During your procedure, Dr. Weyhrich makes a small incision in the skin of your groin and passes a thin tube, called a catheter, into an artery. He then guides the catheter to your uterus.
Once he has positioned the catheter correctly, Dr. Weyhrich injects tiny particles known as embolic agents into the blood vessels that lead to your uterus. These tiny particles stop blood flow to the fibroid, which causes it to shrink and wither away.
Studies show that uterine fibroid embolization is at least 85% effective in reducing bleeding and alleviating pain.
If uterine fibroid symptoms are causing you discomfort or interfering with your fertility, schedule an appointment with Dr. Weyhrich. He can determine whether you have fibroids and work with you to decide whether you would benefit from treatment with medication, uterine fibroid embolization, or another procedure. Call the office, or make an appointment using our online scheduling tool.
You Might Also Enjoy...
Pelvic pain is a common condition among women of childbearing age. Learn the symptoms and causes of pelvic pain so you can find out how to get relief.
While some women don't suffer any effects from uterine fibroids, many deal with persistent discomfort. Learn about the range of treatment options — from medication to surgery — that can help you bid farewell to fibroids forever.
Unexplained infertility is not the end of the road. Despite its definite-sounding name, there are ways to combat unexplained fertility. In fact, many couples are able to have children after a diagnosis.
Urinating on yourself when you laugh is no joke, but you might be surprised to learn how common urinary incontinence is. But that doesn’t mean you have to live with it - a variety of treatments can get you back in control of your bladder.
One in three women in the United States can expect to have a hysterectomy by their 60th birthday. Find out how advanced laparoscopic surgical techniques have made the procedure quicker, less invasive, and easier to recover from than ever before.
Heart attacks aren't always the chest-clutching, drop-to-the-floor experience we see on TV — especially for women. Read on to learn why women need to take heart health seriously and how their heart attack signs may differ.