A guide to fibroids: When treatment may be necessary and the benefits of minimally invasive, specialty care
Fibroids are a common condition, reportedly affecting up to eight out of every 10 women by the age of 50! While most fibroids are not cancerous, they can have an adverse impact on women’s lives. There have never been more options to treat fibroids and to do so in a minimally invasive manner.
What options are available for treatment near me in Chicago, Illinois?
As an OB/GYN practice with experienced and knowledgeable providers, Northwestern Women’s Health Associates is uniquely qualified to safely care for people with fibroids. We can also rule out other conditions that may share similar symptoms to fibroids. Our gynecologists have access to advanced surgical technologies through Northwestern Prentice Women’s Hospital, which allow for minimally invasive techniques for individualized treatment and minimizing risks of undesirable side effects and complications as well as expediting healing.
Why would I need treatment for fibroids?
These growths made of muscle and fibrous tissue from the walls of the uterus are associated with numerous symptoms that can negatively affect the quality of your life including pelvic pain, pressure, and abnormal bleeding. Without treatment, uterine fibroids are also implicated in a range of serious fertility and pregnancy complications, among other potential health threats.
Is it a fibroid or something else?
Fibroids are often characterized by chronic pain and pressure in the pelvis. You may also experience pain that radiates through the lower back and legs, or issues with urinating or having bowel movements. Often, women with fibroids notice changes in their menstrual cycle, such as particularly heavy, painful, and lengthy periods. Of course, our specialists will need to perform a thorough exam to accurately diagnose the source of any persistent, painful, and disruptive symptoms that you may be experiencing.
Do all fibroids need treatment?
Not all fibroids have to be removed or even treated. Factors that can influence “next steps” include the location and size of the fibroid. Small fibroids that don’t have bothersome symptoms may not require treatment. Likewise, some fibroids can shrink without any outside intervention. Large fibroids may be very painful, and some particularly large fibroids are associated with extreme abdominal swelling. We account for these and other factors when making recommendations in the best interests of your near-term wellbeing and long-term health.
What procedures may be recommended by Northwestern Women’s Health Associates?
As specialists, we combine extensive and focused training and expertise with investments in the latest, proven technologies and therapies to treat fibroids and associated conditions. Formerly, women with painful, fast-growing, and large fibroids were limited in their options for treatment to aggressive procedures like hysterectomy. Today, women have access to various non-invasive to minimally invasive approaches to treat, remove, and destroy fibroids in a targeted fashion. Alternatives to therapy include embolization, myomectomy, and ablation. We also have the capability to perform laparoscopic or robot-assisted laparoscopy as an attractive alternative to invasive open surgery for the removal of fibroids.
If some of the symptoms mentioned here hit a little too close to home, there is help! You don’t have to suffer alone or in silence. Call 312-440-9400 to schedule a consultation with one of our specialists at Northwestern Women’s Health Associates in Chicago, IL, today.
