Many women have struggled with fibroids to some degree, including me! Iโd like to take a moment to discuss some basic info on the topic.ย
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๐ช๐ต๐ฎ๐ ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐๐ถ๐ฏ๐ฟ๐ผ๐ถ๐ฑ๐?
Fibroids are benign muscular tumors that can grow in the female reproductive tract. They are mainly seen in the uterus, but can be found near the cervix and fallopian tubes, and rarely, completely outside of the female reproductive tract.ย
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๐ช๐ต๐ฎ๐ ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ฆ๐๐บ๐ฝ๐๐ผ๐บ๐ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐๐ถ๐ฏ๐ฟ๐ผ๐ถ๐ฑ๐?
Some have no symptoms at all!ย Others have heavy menstrual bleeding, prolonged menstrual bleeding, spotting between menstrual periods, painful periods.ย
If the fibroids are really large, people may experience what we call, โbulk symptomsโ, like abdominal pain, bloating and constipation.ย
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๐๐ผ๐ ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐๐ถ๐ฏ๐ฟ๐ผ๐ถ๐ฑ๐ ๐๐๐ฎ๐น๐๐ฎ๐๐ฒ๐ฑ?
The most simple and common evaluation is with a pelvic exam and pelvic ultrasound.ย
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๐๐ผ๐ ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐๐ถ๐ฏ๐ฟ๐ผ๐ถ๐ฑ๐ ๐ง๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐๐ฒ๐ฑ?
NSAIDs, like Ibuprofen or Naproxen, can be used for pain and may help decrease the menstrual flow. Hormones, like birth control or similar can also be used to decrease or stop the menstrual flow and pain from fibroids.ย
The more common surgical options are myomectomy (removal of the fibroids), endometrial ablation (burning the lining of the uterus) or hysterectomyย (removing the cervix and uterus).
Always remember.. Expectant management IS an option! You do not have to commit to an active form of management if your symptoms are manageable or minimal.ย Ultimately, you should use shared-decision making with your doctor to see whatโs best for you!
I hope this info gives you a good starting point in your learning on fibroids. Feel free to comment with questions!
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