Many women know at least one person, even as an acquaintance or classmate, who has had issues with fibroids. If you've been informed that you have fibroids and shouldn't worry if you haven't experienced symptoms, everything should be fine, shouldn't it? However, there are occasions when no clear explanation is provided, leaving the patient uncertain about what the future might hold in terms of those fibroids.
Good news: If you're not having symptoms, then the fibroids may not really be a problem. But it certainly helps to learn more about them and how they can change over your lifetime.
Statistics vary, but most women develop at least one fibroid at some point. UCLA Health puts the number at 70 percent to 80 percent. But 70 percent to 80 percent of women aren't having fibroid-related problems. In fact, most women with fibroids won't have issues. You might find out you have fibroids because of an exam or test, but their mere presence doesn't mean much in terms of how you feel.
So just because you have them, this doesn't mean you'll have to do anything about them. This may be why your doctor might tell you not to worry if you have an exam and find out you have them. They really don't cause a problem for most women.
Even better news is that menopause can make problems with fibroids much less likely, if you're worried about something happening in the future. Fibroids essentially feed off estrogen, and as you enter perimenopause, when your estrogen production begins to slow, you're automatically cutting off the hormones that supply the fibroids and make them grow.
Fibroids can actually shrink a little, although it's more common for your symptoms to improve considerably, leading to substantial relief.
It's rare for more fibroids to grow or for current ones to grow bigger after your body slows down estrogen. While there may not be a 100 percent guarantee that nothing will happen, you aren't likely to have additional problems at that point.
What if you are having unusual symptoms that you think might be linked to the fibroids? If you're having very heavy bleeding that does not follow your normal menstrual patterns, that's a huge sign that something is wrong. Heavy bleeding isn't always due to fibroids, but it's a very common symptom, especially if it makes you anemic.
Extreme pain during menstruation is another sign, although this symptom can show up with a number of gynecological issues. Another strange but definite symptom is a feeling of fullness along with more constipation or urination, which is an indication that you have a very large fibroid.
One of the frustrating things about the genitourinary system is that so many symptoms can occur with different conditions. Your symptoms may not necessarily be linked to fibroids. If that's the situation, it's crucial for you and your doctor to continue investigating to identify the underlying cause.
The uncertainty surrounding fibroids can trigger emotionally instability similar to what you might experience with unfamiliar symptoms from an unknown condition. The lack of clarity about what to anticipate can have a significant impact on your mental well-being.
At specialized gynecology centers such as FemmeWell, you can receive comprehensive explanations about the significance of your concerns. You deserve clear and direct medical guidance and clarifications. If you require more information about a health condition or are experiencing symptoms that need evaluation, please contact our team at FemmeWell.
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