Fibroid Treatment in New Jersey
What Are Uterine Fibroids?
Uterine fibroids or uterine myomas are noncancerous growths that can grow in the smooth muscle wall of a woman’s uterus (or womb) at different stages in her life.
Fibroids are most often found among women in their 40s and early 50s as they approach menopause. They are such a common OB/GYN concern that as many as 70 to 80 percent of women will have one or more uterine fibroid by the time she reaches age 50. However, fibroids may also develop during pregnancy or when a woman’s hormone levels are high.
Fibroids can vary widely in shape and range from a 1-millimeter mass to a grapefruit-sized tumor that can weigh 2 pounds or more. While some women may develop just one uterine fibroid, most women encounter multiple fibroids in their lifetimes.
Fortunately, uterine fibroids are a common and generally painless, highly treatable condition. Furthermore, having fibroids does not make you more prone to developing gynecologic cancer. If you suspect you may have fibroids, RWJBarnabas Health can help.
With multiple locations in New Jersey, our award-winning facilities are led by teams of highly qualified doctors dedicated to bringing you high-quality OB/GYN care. We can offer you leading-edge fibroid treatment therapies, minimally invasive surgeries and options to treat your uterine fibroids with success.
Hormones and Uterine Fibroids
The exact cause of uterine fibroids is uncertain, however, hormones, which are chemical messengers that inform your body about growth and development, are known to play a role. One is estrogen, a hormone that aids in developing and maintaining female body characteristics, while another is progesterone, which helps prepare the lining of the uterus for pregnancy. During a woman’s lifetime, her hormone levels fluctuate. These changes can also cause fibroids to grow.
Causes of Fibroids
While most women develop uterine fibroids at some stage in life, others do not. A few lifestyle and genetic risk factors can increase your likelihood of developing them. Some common causes of fibroids include:
- Early onset menstrual periods. Women who start their monthly period at a young age have an increased risk of developing fibroids.
- Nutrition. Diets high in red meat and low in fruits, vegetables and dairy can increase your risk of developing uterine fibroids.
- Vitamin D deficiency. A shortage of Vitamin D is another of the known causes of fibroids.
- Major stresses. Serious trauma, such as an accident, death in the family, or other catastrophic event, is thought to contribute to developing fibroids.
- Alcohol use. Moderate to heavy alcohol use tends to cause the growth of fibroids.
- Birth control use. While birth control pills aid in regulating a woman’s hormones, they are also one of the known causes of fibroids.
- Pregnancy. Uterine fibroids tend to grow during pregnancy when a woman’s estrogen and progesterone levels are high. However, as a woman's hormone production slows down during menopause, fibroids generally shrink.
- Race. For unknown reasons, women of African descent are more likely to develop uterine fibroids at an early age and are more likely to have severe symptoms from them.
- Genetics. Some families carry specific gene mutations or changes in DNA sequence that affect hormonal regulation. This can lead to increased chances of developing uterine fibroids.
Types of Fibroids
Uterine fibroids are classified by the place in the uterus they are found. Therefore, any symptoms of fibroids you encounter will largely depend on their size and location.
- Intramural fibroids. This type of fibroid is completely contained within the uterine wall.
- Pedunculated fibroids. This fibroid type is attached to the outside of the uterus wall by a stalk-like structure.
- Submucosal fibroids. This type of fibroid extends inside the uterine cavity or the uterus and tends to cause the most symptoms and problems.
Symptoms of Fibroids
Symptoms of fibroids can range by type and size, with many women experiencing no symptoms at all. However, the following are the most commonly reported uterine fibroid symptoms:
- Bleeding. This can range from light to heavy, which can cause anemia if the blood loss is severe.
- Pelvic pressure, bloating or pain. Larger fibroids can cause a sensation of pressure, bloating or even pain in the uterus and surrounding area.
- Pain during intercourse. Fibroids growing near the cervix can cause pressure, resulting in painful sex.
- Frequent urination. When a fibroid places pressure on the bladder, it can produce symptoms such as an increased need to urinate.
- Infertility. Uterine fibroid symptoms also include fertility issues, making it difficult for women to get pregnant or maintain pregnancies.
- Blood clots. In some rare and unmanaged cases, fibroids can compress blood vessels and lead to blood clots in the legs.
How are Fibroids Diagnosed?
As many women do not have uterine fibroid symptoms, they are unaware that they have them until they are found during a routine gynecological exam. If your OB/GYN feels a growth or abnormality during your exam, they may refer you for further screening. These methods include:
- Ultrasound technology. Using sound waves, this imaging can take pictures of your organs and tissues to find abnormalities such as uterine fibroids.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This screening method, which uses magnets and radio waves, can also identify fibroids and other growths in the body.
- Computed tomography (CT). This other form of medical imaging can produce highly-detailed images of the body to aid in identifying fibroids and other issues.
Nonsurgical Fibroid Treatment Options
Fortunately, most uterine fibroids are not serious, however, they should be monitored as they can cause anemia, a drop in red blood cells or other issues. Some fibroid treatment options include:
- Observation. If your fibroids are not causing discomfort, your doctor may simply recommend that you repeat imaging every few months to ensure they are not growing in number or size.
- At-home remedies. If your symptoms of fibroids are minor, you can manage them with at-home remedies. For example, doing light stretches, using a heating pad or taking over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen or ibuprofen as prescribed may be adequate fibroid treatment for you.
- Prescription medications. To manage heavy bleeding or other symptoms, your gynecologist may prescribe fibroid treatment options like birth control pills, an intrauterine device (IUD), or other medications to regulate estrogen and progesterone levels.
Surgical Fibroid Treatment Options
If uterine fibroids are causing you pain, excessive bleeding, or other health problems, your doctor may recommend removing them. Many types of fibroids can be removed with minimally invasive surgical methods with shorter recovery times, sometimes allowing you to go home the same day. Your best fibroid treatment options depend on the location and number of fibroids you have and whether or not you want to get pregnant in the future.
Some common gynecologic surgeries for uterine fibroids include:
- Hysteroscopy. This procedure is performed using no cuts into the body. A camera is inserted into the uterus through the vagina and fibroids within the uterus cavity, or partially in the cavity, can be removed.
- Uterine fibroid embolization. Through a guided computerized tomography (CT) scan, an interventional radiologist places a catheter in the patient’s groin and guides it to the vessels that supply blood to the uterine fibroids. Then, a substance is injected into the blood vessels to decrease the fibroid’s blood supply. This fibroid treatment is usually recommended for women aged 45 and over with a lower risk of recurrence.
- Laparoscopic myomectomy. This minimally invasive fibroid treatment is performed using tiny cuts. A surgeon inserts a long, thin tube aided by a camera to view the area and remove the fibroids, often with robotic tools. This procedure is mainly recommended for women who want to retain their fertility as it leaves the uterus intact, however, the risk of new fibroids forming may be as high as 60 percent.
- Open myomectomy. This major surgical procedure is performed when a patient has large or complex uterine fibroids that cannot be removed by less invasive methods. The surgeon uses traditional surgery techniques to make an incision through the skin to remove the fibroids from the uterus wall. Recovery from this surgical fibroid treatment may take 4 to 6 weeks.
- Hysterectomy. The total removal of the uterus is the only way to completely prevent fibroids from returning. The surgery can usually be done with minimally invasive methods and many women can go home the same day. About 600,000 hysterectomies are done in the United States each year, and the most common reason for the surgery is fibroids. Since this surgery causes infertility, you should discuss with your doctor what is right for you.
- Vaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (V-NOTES). This leading-edge laparoscopic procedure available at some of our hospitals is done through the vagina, without cuts through the abdomen. This promotes recovery with quicker recovery times and better cosmetic results, with no wounds or scars.
Fibroid Treatment Recovery
Many patients who undergo hysteroscopic surgery can go home the same day. However, you may experience symptoms such as light bleeding for about a week following surgery. You must avoid rigorous activities, exercise or lifting for several days before returning to normal activities.
While laparoscopic and robotic surgery are same-day surgeries, recovery takes about two weeks.
Women who undergo traditional open surgery for fibroid removal often go home the next day, however, their recovery can take 3 to 4 weeks.
Make an Appointment Today
Are you experiencing fibroids symptoms? RWJBarnabas Health can help. Talk to someone on our OB/GYN team to discuss your health concerns. To connect with an OB/GYN near you, visit find an OB/GYN or call 888-724-7123.
