Uterine Fibroids Ultrasound

It is interesting to note that most women over 35 will have uterine fibroids. The vast majority of these will be blissfully unaware of their presence and may go through life never knowing they are there. For some women, fibroids will be discovered during routine examinations or ultrasound scans. When discovered, many women wonder if it uterine fibroids need treatment and although there is no definitive answer, the circumstances surrounding your condition dictate what you should do next.

For some women though, fibroids are not discovered “accidentally” but as a result of consulting their doctor due to a range of debilitating and uncomfortable symptoms including heavy bleeding, pain during intercourse, cramping pains, bowel and bladder problems and pregnancy issues.

Fibroids are rarely dangerous and this usually leads doctors to recommend no treatment. One of the reasons for this is due to the fact that conventional treatment is largely unsuccessful as it only deals with the symptoms of fibroids rather than the root causes. This means that uterine fibroids usually begin to regrow within months. Doctors usually suggest that you monitor your own condition and if your symptoms worsen considerably, then your options will be discussed.

For those women with difficult to manage symptoms, then uterine fibroids treatment is desirable. It is all very well if you are only a couple of years from the menopause, when your symptoms are likely to stop but if you are relatively young, then you will not want to live with debilitating symptoms which detract from your quality of life.

Other circumstances where treatment for uterine fibroids may necessary is when you are hoping to start a family. Although most women with fibroids do conceive naturally and go on to have healthy pregnancies with a normal delivery at the end, some women experience conception problems due to the size and/or location of their uterine fibroids. For example, if you have a fibroid which is positioned near the cervix opening or the entrance to the fallopian tubes, this could prevent sperm from reaching the egg. Alternatively, large fibroids could prevent the ovum settling into the wall of the uterus and cause early miscarriages.

During pregnancy, fibroids do not usually cause serious problems, but that’s not to say that this is always the case. Fibroids can occasionally take up so much room in the uterus that it inhibits the growth of the fetus, possibly necessitating an early delivery.

If you have uterine fibroids, the best course of action is to listen to your own body and find a sympathetic, understanding doctor so you can decide on an appropriate course of action together.