Tag: Uterine Fibroids Treatment Options

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Fibroids

Excessive Cramping and Pelvic Discomfort

One of the most common symptoms associated with uterine fibroids is excessive cramping and pelvic discomfort.

One of the most common symptoms associated with uterine fibroids is excessive cramping and pelvic discomfort.

Unlike menstrual cramps, which are caused by the contracting uterus as it pushes out the endometrium during a monthly period, fibroid cramps can exist outside of the average 5-7 days that menstruation lasts.

In fact, for women with uterine fibroids, not only do these cramps occur outside of the menstruation period, but they can be rather severe. And, unfortunately, if the fibroids are left untreated, these symptoms are likely to get worse and include several others as well.

Fibroids can range in size and location. They also vary in terms of how many each woman has. Some women may have a single fibroid while others could have multiple fibroids.

When it comes to the symptoms directly related to uterine fibroids- the location, size, and number of fibroids can play a role in the specific symptoms experienced and their severity.

For example, women with large fibroids have reported that they feel a heaviness or pressure in their lower abdomen or pelvis. Not only is this uncomfortable, but it can also make it hard to lie down, bend over, or exercise.

Though all fibroids can contribute to pelvic pain and cramping, more often than not, these symptoms are experienced as a result of having intramural fibroids.

Intramural fibroids grow inside the muscular wall of the uterus. As intramural fibroids grow larger, they increase the likelihood of more severe symptoms that can have a direct impact on one’s quality of life.

The other types of fibroids can also cause cramping and pelvic discomfort. These types are called: submucosal, subserosal, and pedunculated fibroids.

Submucosal fibroids grow into the uterine cavity, while subserosal fibroids grow toward the outside of the uterus. Pedunculated fibroids are those that are not directly attached to the uterus and grow from a stem-like stalk.

Cramping and discomfort caused by submucosal fibroids are usually caused by the uterus trying to rid itself of them.

Unlike the contractions that happen every month in order to shed the endometrium, painful contractions caused by submucosal fibroids can happen at any time during a menstrual cycle.

No matter what type of fibroid is causing your uncomfortable symptoms- there is treatment available.

If you think you are experiencing moderate to severe cramping outside of your monthly period, or even if it’s severe during your period- it’s important to seek out treatment right away.

Though most causes of pelvic pain and cramping are treatable, if you do not address the issue it is likely that your symptoms and the underlying condition will get worse.

If the cause of the cramping is indeed fibroids, there are many treatment options available such as medication, surgery, or uterine fibroid embolization.

UFE is a non-invasive outpatient procedure that can relieve the painful cramping and other frustrating symptoms caused by uterine fibroids.

To learn more about UFE and to find out if it could benefit you, please call our office today.

Categories
Fibroids

Medical Advancements in Fibroid Treatment

MidAtlantic Vascular and Interventional, we specialize in the removable of uterine fibroids, through an advanced medical procedure.

Fortunately for the estimated 26 million women in the United States that have uterine fibroids, huge medical advancements have been made that allow for a variety of treatment methods. These range from medication to hormone therapy, as well as both invasive and non-invasive surgical procedures to remove the fibroids completely.

Here at MidAtlantic Vascular and Interventional, we specialize in the removable of uterine fibroids, through an advanced medical procedure called Uterine Fibroid Embolization.

Unlike medications, which primarily treat the symptoms of fibroids, Uterine Fibroid Embolization, focuses on treating the condition by removing the fibroids themselves.

So what is Uterine Fibroid Embolization? And how does it work?

Good question and we are happy to answer that. But first, let’s take a quick look at what a uterine fibroid is.

Uterine fibroids are noncancerous growths of the uterus that often appear during a woman’s childbearing years. These growths are made of smooth muscle cells and fibrous connective tissue. Sometimes fibroids are solitary, but it is also common to have multiple ones.

Uterine fibroids range in size. Some are so tiny that they are undetectable by the human eye alone. While others can be large enough to distort and enlarge the uterus.

How can I tell if I have a fibroid?

When a woman has a fibroid, it is most often discovered during a routine pelvic exam or imaging procedures performed for other reasons. If the fibroid or fibroids do not cause any symptoms, pain, or discomfort, and are not affecting fertility- then they usually do not require treatment. However, when symptoms are present, these can be managed with medications, surgery, and by using minimally invasive techniques.

Some of the symptoms associated with fibroids are:

• Unusually heavy period
• Long than normal periods
• Bleeding in between periods
• Pressure and pain in the pelvis
• Frequent urination
• Lower back pain
• Pain during intercourse
• Difficulty conceiving

Ok, so back to the original question: What is Uterine Fibroid Embolization?

Uterine Fibroid Embolization is a non-invasive procedure to remove uterine fibroids. Rather than requiring general anesthesia, the procedure uses conscious sedation ( an IV of a light sedative) to help you to relax and remain pain-free during the UFE procedure.

Once the sedating medicine has been administered, our expert radiologist will begin the procedure.

The UFE procedure commences with our expert Interventional Radiologist, Dr. Rishi Sood, making a teeny tiny nick in the skin (about the size of the tip of a pencil). He will then thread a tiny 2mm catheter through the groin or wrist. Using moving X-ray technology (fluoroscopy), Dr. Rishi will then guide the catheter through the blood vessels until it reaches the artery that supplies blood to the fibroids.

Once the catheter reaches the artery that supplies blood to the fibroids, tiny gelatin beads are released through it, which travel into the artery, creating a blockage. This blockage cuts off the blood supply to the fibroids. And, without the fibroids being able to receive vital nutrients through the blood, they can not survive.

A blockage? Isn’t that dangerous?

No, in this case, it is not. Unlike a blockage to the heart or other vital organs, this particular blockage is only cutting off the blood supply to the fibroid. The results are remarkable, for, without the fibroids being able to receive vital nutrients through the blood, they shrink until they are altogether eliminated.

Does this sound too good to be true?

Maybe, but rest assured it is not. In fact, according to the New England Journal of Medicine, the success rate of uterine fibroid embolization is estimated to be upwards of 95%.

This is great news to the millions of women that are suffering from the pain and discomfort that comes with having uterine fibroids.

In our next article, we will take a look at what you can expect during the UFE procedure. What does it feel like? How long does it take? And what does the recovery period look like?

In the meantime, for more information on Uterine Fibroid Embolization, or to make an appointment for your consultation, please reach out to us at 301-622-5360.

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Fibroids

Side Effects and Risks of a Hysterectomy

A hysterectomy is one of the treatment options for women with uterine fibroids. It comes with its own set of side effects and risks. 

As we’ve covered in our previous articles, a hysterectomy, which is the surgical removal of the uterus and cervix, is one of the treatment options for women with uterine fibroids. And, like all surgeries, it comes with its own set of side effects and risks.

One of the benefits of having a hysterectomy is that in removing the uterus, the fibroids are also removed. In doing so, not only are the fibroids eliminated but so is the possibility of them growing back. To put it frankly, no more uterus, no more fibroids.

Women that would like to avoid having to take medication and experience the side effects associated with them, as well as women who would like to avoid the risk of fibroids returning following some of the other treatment procedures available, may wish to explore this option. However, it’s important to keep in mind that a hysterectomy is a major surgery and it is not without its own side effects and risks.

So let’s take a look at some of the potential side effects and risks of having a hysterectomy, as well as what can be expected in regard to the recovery period following the procedure.

A hysterectomy is a surgical procedure in which the uterus and cervix are removed through either an incision in the abdomen or belly button, or it is done vaginally. The procedure typically takes 1-3 hours and requires a spinal or epidural anesthetic that numbs the lower parts of the body, and it also may involve the use of a general anesthetic to put the patient to sleep during the surgery.

Once the surgery is complete, the recovery period can be rather difficult. A post-surgery hospital stay is necessary for up to five days. Then, once home, it can take roughly 6-8 weeks of rest to fully recover.

Some of the most common side effects associated with having a hysterectomy are vaginal drainage that may occur up to six weeks after surgery, and irritation at the surgical incision sites.
Other side effects may include:

– Blood clots.
– Hemorrhage.
– Infection.
– Injury to other surrounding organs including the bladder, ureter (the tube that connects the kidney to the bladder), intestines, muscles, nerves, or blood vessels.
– Formation of a fistula (an abnormal connection between the vagina and bladder).
– Allergic reactions to the anesthetic, pain medication, adhesives, or skin prep used during the procedure.

If the hysterectomy involves removing the ovaries and fallopian tubes, side effects such as menopausal symptoms are often experienced.

These include:

– hot flashes
– vaginal dryness
– loss of libido
– insomnia

It’s also important to understand that a hysterectomy is not reversible, it is permanent. After a woman has a hysterectomy, she will no longer have a period, and will no longer be able to bear children. For this reason, as well as others, many women experience emotional side effects from having a hysterectomy. The surgery has also been associated with an increased risk of long-term mental health issues. This is especially true of depression and anxiety.

The bottom line: If you are considering a hysterectomy, it is important to speak with your doctor about your concerns. In this day and age, a hysterectomy is far from the only surgical option for removing fibroids. In fact, there are several surgical procedures to remove fibroids while sparing the uterus- which is especially important for women who would like to have children, and for women that would prefer to avoid having major surgery.

In our next article, we will take a look at a uterine-sparing surgical procedure to remove uterine fibroids called a myomectomy.

 

Categories
Fibroids

Hysterectomy: Is This Treatment Option Right For You?

Depending on the severity of the fibroids and fibroid-related symptoms, some women may still opt to have a hysterectomy.

Though hysterectomy surgery was once common practice for women with fibroids, today there are many different options. However, depending on the severity of the fibroids and fibroid-related symptoms, some women may still opt to have a hysterectomy.

Therefore, today let’s dive deeper into this surgical procedure, and cover the different types of hysterectomies, as well as reasons why some women might elect to have this operation.

There are three different types of hysterectomies, and they are:

  • Supracervical hysterectomy: During this procedure, surgeons remove the uterus but not the cervix. A doctor may also refer to this procedure as subtotal or partial hysterectomy, it is most often used to treat conditions such as endometriosis.
  • Radical hysterectomy: This surgery removes the uterus, cervix, and surrounding support tissue. Doctors often recommend this type of hysterectomy for people with cancer.
  • Total hysterectomy: This surgery involves the complete removal of the uterus and cervix. This can be used to treat many conditions, such as heavy menstrual bleeding, and uterine fibroids.

It’s also important to note that depending on the circumstances surrounding the need for a hysterectomy, the surgeon may also remove the ovaries (oophorectomy) and the fallopian tubes (salpingectomy).

Though there are some promising medications available, such as the Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists Lupron, Synarel, and Zoladex which can shrink fibroids and reduce fibroid-related heavy bleeding- some women would prefer a permanent surgical procedure such as a hysterectomy, so as to avoid having to take these medications due to their side effects and risks.

In fact, it is estimated that 40% of women taking GnRH agonists experience side effects such as:

  • hot flashes
  • mood changes
  • increased sweating
  • muscle stiffness
  • vaginal dryness

And the most concerning side effect of GnRH agonist therapy,  osteoporosis.

Other medications that are used to treat fibroids are:

  • Birth control: Birth control can also be used to help with symptoms of fibroids — specifically heavy bleeding during and between periods and menstrual cramps.
    – Given that some of the most commonly prescribed birth control pills can increase estrogen and therefore increase the size of fibroids, birth control is not always the best solution.
  • Progesterone-containing agents: Pills, implants, injections, or an intrauterine device (IUD) — may also control bleeding.
    – If the fibroids are small, and the symptoms are mild, a progesterone-containing birth control pill may be beneficial in reducing symptoms. However, they come with their own set of side effects, and they can sometimes mask the severity of fibroids and other underlying conditions.
  • Elagolix: A combination of a GnRH agonist, estradiol, and norethindrone that has proven to be effective at reducing fibroid symptoms with a lower risk of adverse problems that can come from GnRH agonists alone.
    – Elagolix interacts with several other medications, and if taken long-term can cause permanent bone loss.
  • Tranexamic acid: An antifibrinolytic oral drug that’s indicated for the treatment of cyclic heavy menstrual bleeding in women with uterine fibroids.
    – Though it is a nonhormonal option to reduce menstrual blood loss, it does not affect or address the underlying cause of the bleeding- which is the fibroids themselves. It is also expensive.

Medications can be effective at managing fibroid symptoms, however, they do so, as a temporary solution. Medications do not fix the problem and sometimes they can even make things worse.

Therefore the main benefit of having a hysterectomy is that it doesn’t just manage fibroid symptoms, but by surgically removing the uterus, it removes the fibroids completely.

Not only does a hysterectomy remove fibroids and eliminate any possibility of them returning, but it also eliminates any possibility of having children.

For women that would like to have children, medication may be a good option to help manage fibroid symptoms allowing them to postpone a hysterectomy.  Or they may opt to have a uterine-sparing procedure done such as a myomectomy or Uterine Fibroid Embolization, which we specialize in here at MidAtlantic Vascular and Interventional.

The Bottom Line: For women with severe fibroids, fibroids that keep coming back, and fibroids that haven’t responded well to medication or other procedures, a hysterectomy may be an option worth considering. That being said, just like with medications, having a hysterectomy isn’t without its own set of side effects and risks. In our next article, we will take a look at what those are.