Heavy, Painful Periods? It Could Be Uterine Fibroids
Fibroids are common in women who still have their period. If you have symptoms, we can help with answers and treatment options to ease your discomfort.
Let’s start with the good news: most fibroids — tumors that grow in the uterus, often affecting pre-menopausal women — are not cancer. (You may see them called leiomyomata, or myoma for short.) Some women have no symptoms, others suffer painful periods with heavy bleeding. Robert Pollard, MD, MetroHealth’s Director of Minimally Invasive Gynecological Surgery, and Linda-Dalal Shiber, MD help explain the condition, symptoms, and possible treatments.
“If your symptoms are having an impact on your well-being or your quality of life, then it is time to see someone and explore the available treatment options,” says Dr. Pollard.
Uterine Fibroid Symptoms
Many women with uterine fibroids have no symptoms. Their gynecologist may feel these growths during a regular pelvic exam or see them on a pelvic or vaginal ultrasound. For others, these tumors can cluster together or grow, sometimes as large as a grapefruit, and cause symptoms, including:
- Heavy menstrual bleeding
- Belly swelling, pressure or discomfort
- Painful period cramps
- Frequent urination, from bladder pressure
- Lower back pain
- Anemia, or low blood-iron levels
More concerning, fibroids can impact fertility, so be sure to ask your doctor about any symptoms you may have.
Who Gets Fibroids and Why?
Some 70% of White women and over 80% of Black women will get uterine fibroids by age 50, according to the National Library of Medicine. Though rare, women can still get uterine fibroids after menopause.
Fibroids grow in response to hormones, especially estrogen, which is highest during your reproductive years. Genetics, diet, and exposure to certain chemicals may also increase your risk. After menopause, estrogen levels drop, and fibroids often shrink or stop growing.
Non-Surgical Options
While uterine fibroids are a common reason for hysterectomy, surgery is not your only treatment option.
Depending on your symptoms, your provider may recommend:
- Hormonal birth control such as birth control pills or certain IUDs to help control bleeding and slow fibroid growth.
- Over-the-counter pain relievers to help ease menstrual cramps and pelvic pain.
- Leuprolide, a prescription medicine that can shrink fibroids before surgery, making them easier to remove.
- Uterine fibroid embolization (UFE), a minimally invasive procedure performed by an interventional radiologist. Through a tiny incision, a thin tube is guided to the artery that supplies blood to the fibroid. Small particles are then injected to block blood flow, causing the fibroid to shrink.
Surgical Options
At MetroHealth, our experts perform a high number of uterine fibroid procedures each year. Many surgeries can be done using minimally invasive techniques, such as laparoscopic or robotic-assisted surgery. These approaches use just a few small incisions, which can mean less pain, faster recovery, and no overnight hospital stay for most patients.
Your treatment options may include:
- Myomectomy. Surgery to remove fibroids while keeping your uterus. This may be a good option if you want to have children in the future.
- Hysterectomy. Surgery to remove the uterus so fibroids can no longer grow. This may be an option if you are finished having children. MetroHealth also offers robotic-assisted hysterectomy, which gives surgeons a clearer view and may help them reach areas that are harder to access with traditional surgery.
- Laparoscopic Fibroid Ablation. A minimally invasive procedure that uses heat or energy to destroy fibroids without removing them. This treatment can help reduce fibroid symptoms and shorten recovery time.
Ready to Make an Appointment?
To request an appointment with a Women’s Health Team provider, call 216‑778‑4444, schedule through MyChart, or fill out the form below.
To learn more about Women’s Health at MetroHealth, visit metrohealth.org/obgyn.
Your Questions Answered
Q. What are the signs of uterine fibroids?
A. Many women have no symptoms. Others may have heavy bleeding, painful periods, belly pressure, or frequent urination. Some may also feel lower back pain or develop anemia from blood loss.
Q. What causes uterine fibroids to grow?
A. Fibroids grow when hormone levels, especially estrogen, are high. This is why they are more common before menopause and often shrink after menopause.
Q. How are uterine fibroids treated?
A. Treatment depends on your symptoms. Options include birth control, pain medicine, or medications to shrink fibroids. Some women may need procedures or surgery, including minimally invasive options.