Uterine fibroids are growths in the uterus that appear during childbearing years. Most women experience fibroids sometime during their lives. They can be discovered during a prenatal ultrasound or pelvic exam. If you are experiencing irregular bleeding, painful periods, or heavy periods, seek treatment for fibroids in McDonough. They provide conservative measures to eliminate troublesome fibroids.

Fibroids signs and symptoms

Heavy vaginal bleeding. Prolonged or weighty menstrual bleeding is a significant symptom. Soaking through sanitary protection in less than an hour, being unable to leave the house when having a heavy flow, and passing blood clots can cause anemia or low blood count. Low blood count can cause lightheadedness, headaches, and fatigue. If you develop anemia or heavy flow interfering with your activities, you need to see a doctor and discuss fibroids treatment options.

Pelvic pain. This is a less common symptom but with severe pain. This happens when fibroids undergo the degeneration process. The pain is contained at a specific spot and improves by itself within one to four weeks. Using pain killers can decrease pain. But chronic pelvic pain can also occur. This pain is less but can be confined to a specific area and be persistent as well.

Bladder problems. Having to urinate frequently is a significant bladder symptom. A woman can wake up at night to ease herself. Similarly, women are not able to urinate until the bladder is full. These symptoms occur when fibroids press against the bladder, reducing the capacity of blocking the outflow of urine or holding urine. If this bladder problem is treated, it provides excellent relief.

How are fibroids diagnosed?

Uterine fibroids are usually found during a pelvic exam. Your doctor can feel irregularities in the uterus shape, suggesting you have fibroids. When you have fibroid symptoms, your doctor can order some tests such as ultrasound and lab tests.

A doctor orders an ultrasound test to confirm a diagnosis. It uses sound waves to acquire an image of the uterus to map and measure fibroids. A technician moves the transducer (ultrasound device) over the abdomen or places it in the vagina to get pictures of the uterus.

Lab tests. If you experience irregular menstrual bleeding, the doctor can order other tests to determine other causes. This may include blood tests to identify thyroid problems or bleeding disorders and a complete blood count to know if you have anemia.

Hysteroscopy. During hysteroscopy, a doctor uses a device with an attached camera to examine the uterus’s interior. This device is inserted through the vagina into the uterus via the cervix. They can take a tissue sample called a biopsy to locate cancer cells.  

MRI. It is an imaging test that shows the fibroids’ location and size, identifying types of tumors, and determining treatment options. It is usually used in women approaching menopause or women with a large uterus.

If your fibroids interfere with your activities and you want them removed, your gynecologist can remove them without making incisions. Using a hysteroscopy procedure is a good shot because it gives access to any fibroids inside your uterine cavity. Ideal Gynecology, LLC has the best doctors well experienced in using minimally invasive procedures to eliminate painful fibroids.