WOMEN’S HEALTH
Dealing With Fibroids
B
enign tumors of the uterus— also called fibroids—are a very common medical condition in women, and it is estimated that one in four women will develop
them. Fibroids or leiomyomata are smooth muscle tumors which can cause a myriad of symptoms or can cause no symptoms whatsoever. Fibroids can vary in size, number, and location, and such variables have a bearing both on the symptoms associated with them and the type of therapy used to treat them. Fibroids that are small in size
and low in number may not have any symptoms and may only be discovered with an annual gynecological exam. Other fibroids may be larger in size and number and may cause symptoms like heavy bleeding, painful periods, pain- ful intercourse, irregular bleeding, and bowel and bladder problems. There are several diagnostic tests that health care providers can order to help determine the severity of fibroids. The foremost “test” is a routine
pelvic exam, which will determine the size of the uterus. A normal size uterus is about the size of an orange and a fibroid uterus can often times be much larger. If a uterus is enlarged or a woman has some other symptoms associated with fibroids, she will be referred for an ab- dominal or vaginal ultrasound. Another diagnostic tool is the sonohysterography, which includes a vaginal ultrasound while the uterus is filled with a saline solution. This can give a clearer view of the uterine cavity. All of these tests can be administered in your health care provider’s office. A more conclusive test called a hysteroscopy can be performed
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at an out-patient facility under anesthe- sia. A small lighted tube is inserted into the vagina to look inside the uterus. Once a diagnosis of fibroids is made, the treatment methods will vary depending on the presence and severity of symptoms. Fibroids that cause
no pain or menstrual symptoms will simply be monitored to watch for change in growth and numbers. Fibroids which cause pain, menstrual ir- regularities, and difficulty with fertility or bowel and bladder problems can be handled in several different ways. Medications, surgery, and several non-surgical thera- pies are available to health care providers to treat troublesome fibroids. Some women will respond to hor-
mone therapy like the birth control pill, which does not shrink fibroids but helps to diminish the heavy bleeding associ- ated with fibroids. Other medications which suppress estrogen and proges- terone like gonadontropin-releasing hormones or Gn-RH agonists Lupron , Synarel, or Zoladex actually stop a woman’s period and help to shrink the fibroids. However, some women cannot tolerate the menopause-like symptoms associated with these medications and may choose alterative therapies. Addi- tionally Lupon , Synarel, and Zoladex can only be used for short periods of time as they cause side effects like osteoporo- sis. Fibroids that are smaller in size and number may be surgically removed with the hysteroscope. The same procedure
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used to verify fibroids may be used to cut away pieces of the fibroids and remove them. This technique, however, cannot be used if the fibroids are embed- ded in the uterine wall—also known as intermural fibroids. Myomectomy is a pro-
cedure offered to women who wish to treat fibroids but want to maintain their fertility. Myomectomy cuts and cauterizes or burns off fibroid tumors while preserving the in- tegrity of the uterus. This procedure can be done through an abdominal inci- sion or laproscopically with a laparoscope. The downside of myomectomies is that new fibroids can form and remaining
ones can grow. Women who have passed their child-bearing years may choose to have a hysterectomy, which is the per- manent surgical removal of the uterus. This is the only permanent treatment for fibroids and can be performed both abdominally or vaginally. Two out of three hysterectomies in the United States are performed because of fibroids and their associated symptoms. For women who do not wish to
undergo the major surgery of a hyster- ectomy, a few new options have become available. Uterine artery embolization helps to shrink fibroids by limiting the blood supply to the fibroid. This proce- dure is a non-surgical alternative, per-
formed by an interventional radiologist who injects micro-particles of plastic or gelatin sponge into the uterine arteries to slow or stop the blood supply to the fibroid. As with any medical procedure, complications can occur, and UAE can rarely cause infection or injury to the uterus. Additionally some women expe- rience immediate menopause after the procedure. Currently studies are being conducted to establish the relationship of uterine artery embolization and fer- tility. Most specialists will recommend the procedure in women not planning to become pregnant. Another new option in the treat-
ment of fibroids includes magnetic resonance-guided (as in MRI) focused ultrasound treatments. High doses of focused ultrasound waves are directed at the fibroids through MRI technology, which destroys the uterine fibroid while leaving other surrounding tissue intact. Treating fibroids can be challeng-
ing for women and healthcare providers alike. Women who suffer with the pain and menstrual symptoms of fibroids are anxious for relief of the symptoms, and healthcare providers want to offer the best treatment that matches their patient’s needs. The good news is there are several approaches to remedy this all-too-common condition. n
Dr. Hardy is the solo physician with Atlantic Ob/Gyn with locations in Va. Beach and Chesapeake. Call 757-463- 1234 or 757-548-0044 or visit www. atlanticobgyn.com.
Bob McCreary, CLU Tomeka Wallace
Nationwide Insurance
533 Newtown Rd. Virginia Beach, VA 23462
Tel 757-497-1899
WALLACT3@nationwide.com
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