5 Common Questions About Uterine Fibroids: What Every Patient Should Know
If you have recently been diagnosed with uterine fibroids, you are likely feeling a mix of relief and uncertainty: relief, because there is finally a name for the exhaustion, the heavy cycles, and the pelvic pressure; uncertainty, because the next steps aren’t always clear.
Many women are told that a hysterectomy is their only option, but modern medicine offers more choices than ever before. As you move from diagnosis to solution-research, here are the five most common questions we hear at Coastal Vascular & Interventional.
1. Can Fibroids Affect My Fertility or Pregnancy?
This is often the first concern for women in their childbearing years. The answer depends largely on the size and location of the fibroids. Submucosal fibroids (those that grow into the uterine cavity) can potentially interfere with embryo implantation or increase the risk of miscarriage.
During pregnancy, fibroids may grow due to increased hormone levels, which can lead to localized pain or, in some cases, complications during delivery. If you are planning a future pregnancy, it is vital to choose a uterine fibroids treatment that preserves the uterus, such as Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE) or myomectomy, rather than a hysterectomy.
2. What Happens if I Don’t Treat My Fibroids?
Fibroids are almost always benign (meaning non-cancerous), so watchful waiting is an option for some. However, fibroids rarely shrink on their own until you reach menopause.
If left untreated, symptomatic fibroids can lead to:
- Chronic anemia: Resulting from prolonged, heavy menstrual bleeding, treatment may become an emergency if iron levels drop too low.
- Bulk symptoms: As fibroids grow, they can press against the bladder (causing frequent urination) or the rectum (causing constipation and bloating).
- Increased surgical risk: The larger a fibroid becomes, the more difficult it may be to treat with minimally invasive options later.
3. Do Non-Surgical Treatments Like UFE Really Work?
Many patients are surprised to learn that they don’t need major surgery to find relief. Uterine fibroid embolization, or UFE, has a success rate of approximately 90% for clinical improvement of symptoms.
Instead of removing the fibroids, an interventional radiologist uses a tiny catheter to block blood flow to them. Deprived of oxygen and nutrients, the fibroids shrink and die. Because the uterus remains intact, UFE is one of the most effective alternatives to hysterectomy available today, requiring only a tiny nick in the skin and a significantly shorter recovery time.
4. Will My Fibroids Come Back After Treatment?
One of the main frustrations with a myomectomy (the surgical removal of individual fibroids) is that while the surgeon removes the visible tumors, tiny seedling fibroids may be left behind to grow later.
In contrast, the UFE procedure treats the entire uterus at once. By treating the blood supply to all existing fibroids, including those too small to see on ultrasound, the risk of recurrence is significantly lower. While your body can technically develop new fibroids until menopause, it is uncommon for patients to require a repeat procedure after a successful UFE.
5. What Are The Signs My Fibroids Are Causing My Heavy Periods?
It can be hard to know what “normal” looks like if you’ve dealt with heavy cycles for years. Signs that your fibroids are the primary culprit behind your heavy menstrual bleeding include:
- Soaking through one or more pads or tampons every hour for several hours.
- Needing to wake up during the night to change sanitary protection.
- Passing blood clots larger than a quarter.
- A period that lasts longer than seven days.
- Feeling constantly fatigued or short of breath (signs of anemia).
Take the Next Step: Is UFE Right for You?
You don’t have to manage these symptoms alone, and you don’t have to default to major surgery. If you’re ready to explore a non-surgical path to freedom from fibroid pain, we invite you to take our quick symptomatic quiz.
