Fibroids - Perez

What are fibroids?

Fibroids are dense growths and can be within the walls of the uterus, outside the uterine cavity, or protruding into the uterine cavity. They are muscle and fibrous connective tissue and are generally smooth and rounded in appearance. Fibroids are also known as leiomyomas and are a classification of Abnormal Uterine Bleeding (AUB).

By age 50, more than 80% of Black women and nearly 70% of White women will experience fibroids.¹

You may have a single fibroid that is tiny and have no symptoms. Or you may have a big fibroid that is larger than your actual uterus and have pain in your back and legs. You can even have clusters of them.

And they’re not soft. Fibroids can be hard like a baseball or golf ball. Consider the size of your uterus (approximately 3” x 2” x 1”) and its location (nested next to your colon and intestines and on top of your bladder) and now you can imagine how fibroids cause so many problems.

What are the types of fibroids?

Uterine fibroids are the most common fibroids and cause many of the symptoms described on the previous page.

The different types of fibroids include:

Pedunculated fibroids are inside or outside the uterus.
Submucosal fibroids are inside the uterine cavity – often associated with negative effects on fertility.²
Intramural fibroids are in the uterine wall.
Subserosal fibroids are on the outside wall of the uterus.

Removing the fibroid(s) may improve or eliminate your AUB symptoms, which may include:

Heavy bleeding

Periods lasting longer
than 7 days

Pain in the abdomen, lower back or rectum

Enlarged uterus & abdomen

Other symptoms include:

Unpredictable periods
Frequent menstrual cycles
Bleeding between periods
Pain during intercourse
Pressure on bowels & bladder
Anemia (from blood loss)
Infertility
Miscarriages

May also experience:

Fatigue due to blood loss
Intimacy problems
Mood changes
Soaking pads & tampons quickly
Constipation
Frequent urination
Missing work or social events
*Sometimes fibroids cause no symptoms at all

How are submucosal fibroids treated?

Treatment options largely depend on where the fibroid is located in relation to the uterus. In this section, we discuss treatment options for submucosal fibroids (fibroids located inside the uterine cavity).

According to the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, women wait an average of 3.6 years before seeking treatment for fibroids.1 If you have fibroids, you may experience Abnormal Uterine Bleeding (AUB) symptoms.

Left untreated, AUB often results in a hysterectomy.

Hysterectomy may be linked to long-term health risks such as:

13% increased risk of high blood pressure⁵
33% increased risk of coronary artery disease⁷
18% increased risk of obesity⁷

Today, women have less invasive options such as IUDs, hormones and operative hysteroscopy/hysteroscopic myomectomy, thanks to advancements in gynecologic care.

Treat the cause, not the symptoms.

Now the cause of your AUB symptoms can be treated without hormones while preserving your uterus.

(ADD SYMPHION LOGO)

Our practice offers the Symphion tissue removal system. Symphion is a safe, simple and effective treatment to view and remove fibroids.

Minimally invasive option
No incisions
No Hormones
No implants
1-2 day recovery
Preserves uterus
Improves fertility outcomes1
Removal of unwanted tissue
Relief of related symptoms

(LINK TO SYMPHION PAGE)

Call us to talk about the right fibroid treatment option for you.

Visit the educational website AUBandMe.com for information about these minimally invasive treatments for relief from AUB symptoms caused by fibroids.

Content sponsored by:

^{1 Eltoukhi HM, Modi MN, Weston M, Armstrong AY, Stewart EA. The health disparities of uterine fibroid tumors for African American women: a public health issue. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2014;210(3):194-199. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2013.08.008.}

^{2 Peter Kovacs, MD, PhD. Effects of Fibroids on Women’s Fertility. Medscape, April, 2009}

The Symphion® System is intended to distend the uterus by filling it with saline to facilitate viewing with a hysteroscope during diagnostic and operative hysteroscopy and provide fluid management through the closed loop recirculation of filtered distension fluid. It is also intended for resection and coagulation of uterine tissue such as intrauterine polyps and myomas using a bipolar resecting device.

For Indications and a complete list of contraindications, potential adverse events, warnings and precautions, visit www.minervasurgical.com/safety

Results and patient experience may vary. Talk to your Doctor about the right treatment for you.