Did you know that up to 50% of all women suffer from uterine fibroids that it is the leading cause of hysterectomy in the United States? With this illness being so common, it is not surprising that many women want to have more information on the symptoms, treatment, and removal of uterine fibroids. Below are a few things to know about each of those categories:

1. Symptoms – So, what are the symptoms of fibroids? The short answer is that they vary from person to person. Some women complain of pain in the lower back, abdomen or pelvis while others don’t have that pain but suffer from heavy and painful menstruation. 46% of women diagnosed with uterine fibroids described experiencing “gushing” or “flooding” during their period, but unfortunately the reason that uterine fibroids can cause excessive bleeding is currently unclear. If you are experiencing these symptoms on a regular basis then you may want to contact your doctor to explore necessary treatment.

2. Treatment – Uterine fibroid treatments will depend on a number of variables such as: the size and location of the fibroids, the patient’s age, the patient’s desire to have children, and the patient’s overall physical health. Some doctors rely heavily on medicines to help control fibroid-related symptoms. Right now the most effective medications for the treatment of uterine fibroids are gonadotropin releasing hormone agonists (GnRHa), (including Lupron, Synarel, Zoladex). The other treatment options focus mainly on the removal of uterine fibroids.

3. Removal – The most common surgical procedure to remove uterine fibroids is the hysterectomy which removes the entire uterus. However, with the increase of technology and studies done on uterine fibroids there is now an outpatient surgery known as Acessa™. With this procedure a patient can go home several hours after the surgery and return to their normal normal activities within 5 to 9 days. This is a huge leap in the removal of uterine fibroids.

If you or someone you know have been diagnosed and want to understand more about the symptoms, treatment, and/or removal of uterine fibroids you should reach out to your doctor to learn more. All three of those items will vary based on the person so don’t take for granted how important a one on one session with your doctor really is. With 50% of women suffering from uterine fibroids you can rest assured that you aren’t alone. Treatment is out there and you can benefit from it today.