Dignity Health | St. Rose Dominican | Reach | Fall 2017

They can be as small as an apple seed or as large as a grapefruit. And by some estimates, as many as 80 percent of women will develop them by age 50. They’re fibroids— muscular tumors that are nearly always benign and that grow in the wall of the uterus. The role of hormones Even though fibroids are common, doctors don’t know precisely why Facts about fibroids medicines haven’t helped, talk with your doctor about procedures to find relief.” Here are a few treatment options: Endometrial ablation. This procedure destroys the lining of the uterus and helps control very heavy bleeding. It can be done with a laser, electric current, or other methods. You can’t get pregnant after having an endometrial ablation. Uterine artery embolization. Here, doctors inject tiny particles— about the size of grains of sand—into blood vessels leading to the uterus. The particles cut off blood flow to fibroids, causing them to shrink. MRI-guided ultrasound therapy. In this approach to treatment, doctors use MRI imaging to aim ultrasound (sound waves) at a fibroid. The ultrasound waves heat up and destroy the fibroid. Surgery. In a surgery called a myomectomy, doctors remove fibroids but leave the uterus intact. Since you keep your uterus, you may still be able to have children. Alternatively, in a hysterectomy, doctors remove the uterus and you can no longer become pregnant. A hysterectomy may be necessary when other treatments haven’t worked or fibroids are very large. Talk about all your treatment options with your doctor. To find a St. Rose Dominican physician who treats fibroids, call 702.616.4900 or visit StRoseHospitals.org . they develop. They do know, however, that female hormones fuel their growth, since fibroids grow rapidly during pregnancy when hormone levels are high. And they stop growing—or even shrink—once menopause starts. “Typically, fibroids are small and don’t cause any problems,” says Guy Torres, MD, a licensed OB-GYN. “In fact, many women have them and never know it.” When they’re detected, it’s often by chance. Still, women with symptoms may find that fibroids are hard to live with. They may cause: ●  ● Painful periods or ones so heavy they cause anemia ●  ● Bleeding between periods ●  ● Pain during sex ●  ● Pain in the lower back—often a dull, heavy aching but sometimes sharp ●  ● An enlarged lower abdomen ●  ● Frequent urination, constipation, or bloating ●  ● Miscarriages To treat or not? “Fibroids that don’t cause symptoms usually don’t need treatment,” says Dr. Torres. “But if uncomfortable symptoms are disrupting your life and 14 StRoseHospitals.org | Fall 2017 Be screened. Stay well. For “10 Screening Tests Women Need,” go to StRoseReach.org . Procedures can relieve pain and help you feel your best