ADVERTORIAL
The 8 Most Common Fibroid Fibs Busted
Educating the community on fibroids
and fibroid treatment is our main goal
as healthcare provider. When you’re
first diagnosed with uterine fibroids, it can be
confusing to search the web and find conflicting
answers. Here we have the most common fibroid
myths our doctors and staff continue to hear when
first-time patients come into our clinic. Which
fibroid fibs did you already know, and what
surprised you?
Myth #1: All women experience
symptoms
Some women do not experience uncomfortable
symptoms at all! Asymptomatic fibroids are
difficult to detect and often go undiagnosed for
years. It’s important to visit a fibroid specialist
who will use ultrasound technology to locate
the fibroids. Once located, they can be treated
non-surgically with procedures like uterine
fibroid embolization (UFE), which can diminish
unpredictable, and often painful, symptoms such
as excessive bleeding, frequent urination, pelvic
or back pain, cramping, bloating, constipation,
loss of sleep, etc.
Myth #2: Hysterectomy is your
only option
Many women are given two options:
hysterectomy or myomectomy. Surgery is not
the only option in regards to fibroid treatment.
Uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) is a nonsurgical,
outpatient procedure that offers no
scarring, no hospital stay, no general anesthesia,
and a short recovery period! Also, hysterectomies
tend to interfere with your body’s hormonal
balances, which could mean taking replacements
for years after surgery.
Myth #3: Fibroids are cancerous
Uterine fibroids are one of the most common
forms of benign tumors that affect millions of
women in their child bearing age. Statistics show
that less than 1 in 1000 cases of uterine fibroids
become malignant. Cancerous fibroids grow
much more rapidly than regular benign fibroids.
Benign fibroids can range in size from a single
growth to multiple growths, and from very small
like a pea, to as large as a grapefruit. The medical
name for fibroids is “leiomyoma” or “myoma”.
Myth #4: You don’t need your uterus
if you’re going into menopause
Invasive surgeries that remove the uterus can
interfere with your body’s hormonal balance
causing all sorts of health issues. There are many
potential risks hysterectomies can lead to such
as: blood clots, Infection, adverse reaction to
anesthesia, damage to your urinary tract, bladder,
rectum or other pelvic structures during surgery,
which may require further surgical repair, and
finally, earlier onset of menopause even if the
ovaries aren’t removed. Just because you don’t
want children, shouldn’t be an automatic decision
to get a hysterectomy.
Myth #5: Fibroids only affect
women in their 30s.
Women aged 18 through 60 can be affected by
uterine fibroids! Fibroids usually develop with
there is a change in estrogen levels; however,
the actual cause is still unknown. They can
show up at any age; it’s crucial to be in tune
with your body and get checked even if you’re
not experiencing symptoms.
Myth #6: “I’m having pelvic
cramping / bloating / other
symptoms, so it must be fibroids!”
It’s excellent to be in tune with your body and
be aware of the indicators; however, just because
you are experiencing fibroid symptoms does
not mean you automatically have fibroids. It is
crucial to visit an interventional radiologist who
can determine if you indeed have fibroids or not.
Myth #7: Endometriosis and
fibroids are the same condition.
Incorrect!
Endometriosis: When the presence of tissue
typically found in the uterus, is located outside
of the uterus. These cells sometimes create
16 OCTOBER 2018 | WWW.QNS.COM | LEFRAK CITY COURIER
endometrial tissue in areas where it doesn’t
belong, like outside of the uterus in the bladder,
fallopian tubes, or large intestine. Due to the fact
that they don’t below their, the body reacts to
this irregularity with cysts, inflammation, and
discomfort.
Fibroids: Uterine fibroids are solid tumors
containing smooth muscle fibers and connective
tissue that develop within the uterine walls.
Myth #8: Invasive surgeries work
best compared to non-surgical ones
Not true!
According to Dr. James Spies MD MPH,
Professor, Chairman and Chief of Service of
the Department of Radiology at Georgetown
University School of Medicine, the success rate
for UFE is considerable. Although it depends
on the individual situation, between 85 and 90
percent of women who underwent UFE, will have
substantially improved menstruation about three
months post-procedure. When it comes to other
symptoms, they usually improve even faster.
Pressure, pain, discomfort, bloating, urinary
frequency are often decreased or completely
diminished within several weeks. About 90
percent of women overall by three to six months
will have their symptoms improved significantly
– meaning moderately improved to completely
resolved.
Next steps!
If you have been diagnosed with fibroids, or
are in need of a diagnosis, it’s important to
choose a team of women’s health specialists and
interventional radiologists that put your health
above all else. Interested in learning more about
minimally invasive fibroid treatment options?
Visit our website www.usafibroidcenters.com
or give us a call (646) 736-3956. Our patient
scheduling coordinators can assist you with any
further questions regarding fibroid symptoms,
treatment, and recovery. All our procedures are
covered by most major health insurance and
some Medicaid plans. Don’t see your insurance
listed on our page? No worries, call us directly
to check!
/www.usafibroidcenters.com