Uterine fibroids are one of the most common gynecologic conditions affecting women, yet many people know surprisingly little about them until they’re navigating a diagnosis themselves. If you’ve recently been told you have fibroids, or you’re trying to understand whether your symptoms might be fibroid-related; here’s a clear, complete breakdown.
What Are Uterine Fibroids?
Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous growths that develop within or on the wall of the uterus. They vary widely in size, from too small to feel to large enough to change the shape of the abdomen, and a woman can have just one or multiple fibroids at once. Research suggests up to 80% of women will develop fibroids by age 50, though a significant number never experience noticeable symptoms.
Two common causes of pelvic pain seen at Tidewater Physicians for Women are uterine fibroids and endometriosis, both of which can also affect fertility if left unaddressed.
Symptoms to Watch For
Not every fibroid causes symptoms, but when they do, the most common include:
- Heavy menstrual bleeding, or periods lasting longer than seven days
- Pelvic pain or pressure, whether constant or intermittent
- Lower back pain
- Frequent urination or a sense of incomplete bladder emptying
- Pain during intercourse
- Difficulty conceiving
- A noticeable increase in abdominal size or a feeling of fullness
As a general guideline, come in for an exam if your periods last longer than seven days or your flow is unusually heavy. Most abnormal menstrual bleeding is easily treated, but it’s always worth evaluating, since it can occasionally signal something more significant.
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How Fibroids Are Diagnosed
Diagnosis typically begins with a pelvic exam, where your provider may be able to feel irregularities in the shape of the uterus. From there, imaging confirms the diagnosis and provides detail on size, number, and location. At Tidewater Physicians for Women, our ultrasound department is staffed by registered sonographers and accredited by the American Institute for Ultrasound in Medicine, ensuring you receive accurate, high-quality imaging right in our office.
Treatment Options: A Range of Approaches
One of the most important things to understand about fibroid treatment is that it’s never one-size-fits-all. Your provider will consider your symptoms, the size and location of your fibroids, your age, and whether you hope to have children in the future.
Watchful waiting
If your fibroids are small and not causing symptoms, monitoring over time with periodic imaging may be all that’s needed; no treatment required unless something changes.
Medication
Hormonal therapies can help manage heavy bleeding and reduce fibroid-related symptoms, though they don’t eliminate fibroids permanently.
In-office procedures
For some women, in-office procedures offer an effective, minimally invasive way to manage fibroid-related symptoms like heavy bleeding without the need for a hospital stay.
Robotic-assisted surgery
For more significant fibroids or cases that haven’t responded to other treatments, Tidewater Physicians for Women offers robotic surgery, a minimally invasive surgical option that can address fibroids, along with other conditions like incontinence, pelvic pain, and endometriosis; typically with shorter recovery times than traditional surgery.
| “Staff very professional and relatively short wait time. Highly recommend Dr. Connor.”
—Tidewater Physicians for Women Patient Testimonial |
You Don’t Have to Manage This Alone
A fibroid diagnosis can feel overwhelming, especially with so many possible treatment paths. But you don’t have to figure out the right approach on your own; your provider is there to walk you through the options that make sense for your body and your goals.
