- Uterine Fibroids are benign muscle tumors.
A uterine fibroid, medically known as a leiomyoma or a myoma, is a benign muscle tumor that grows in a woman’s uterus. While the growths are noncancerous, these muscle tissues can vary in size, length and lead to other uncomfortable and health concerns.
- The symptoms of uterine fibroids can be very uncomfortable.
Women with fibroids may experience a range of symptoms, from mild to extreme. Symptoms associated with uterine fibroids include lower abdominal, back or rectal pain, constipation, frequent urination and bloating. They can also cause changes to a woman’s menstrual cycle, including severe cramping and heavier bleeding.
- You may not know you have fibroids.
Uterine fibroid symptoms can also be very mild, to the point where a woman may not even know she has fibroids. These lack of symptoms are often due to the size and location of the fibroid. The larger they grow, the greater the chance of having symptoms caused from the fibroids pushing on other organs in the pelvis. On the other hand, if a woman has a smaller fibroid, she may not experience any symptoms at all.
- A family member with fibroids can increase your risk.
The cause of uterine fibroids has not yet been discovered, but there has been a pattern in those who have them. One of the most common causes is related to genetics, putting women who have a history of fibroids in their family at a much higher risk. Other fibroid indicators have been observed in women between the ages of 30- 40, women who are overweight or obese with high blood pressure, and in African-American women.
- Uterine fibroids can affect fertility.
A woman’s uterine fibroids may have an impact on her pregnancy, before or after she carries her child. Some women with fibroids are known to have pregnancy complications and delivery risks. Fibroids can even negatively impacting a woman’s fertility if they grow along the inner uterine wall.
Schedule an Appointment with a NJ Fertility Specialist
A woman who is experiencing infertility issues should consult a fertility clinic once fibroids have been detected, or if she is just experiencing infertility related to fibroids. The certified specialists at South Jersey Fertility Center offer multiple forms of minimally invasive treatment to remove fibroids and help women conceive after they are removed. There are several options to remove fibroids such as a myomectomy, hysterectomy or a hysteroscopy. If you think fibroids are causing your infertility, contact one of South Jersey Fertility Center’s four locations at 856-596-2233 as soon as possible.