Fibroids

Receive top-notch treatment of fibroids from our San Antonio women’s health doctors

If you were to ask your family members, close friends or co-workers, chances are someone in those circles has had an experience with fibroids. In fact, 20% to 80% of women will develop uterine fibroids by the age of 50. While most cases aren’t cause for concern, our San Antonio women’s health doctors want to ensure that our patients understand how to address any pelvic pain and treat any fibroid-related reproductive issues.

What are fibroids?

Fibroids are muscular tumors that grow in and around the uterine wall. In most cases, they are benign, meaning non-cancerous. Usually, they emerge in women of child-bearing years, and are less likely to develop in younger girls and women in menopause. They can present as a single tumor or in a cluster in the uterus.

For classification purposes, fibroids are grouped into the following categories.

  • Intramural, which are embedded in the uterine wall and are the most common type of tumors
  • Submucosal, which develop under the inner uterine lining
  • Subserosal, which grow under the outer uterine lining and may become bigger in size
  • Pedunculated, which are the least common and typically have a stem or stalk

Are there symptoms?

Not every woman will notice specific symptoms. Smaller tumors may create no issues and may only need to be monitored by one of San Antonio women’s health doctors during routine checkups. Larger ones may cause heavy menstrual periods, discomfort during sex, frequent urination and pelvic pain.

How do fibroids affect female reproductive health?

Most of our patients with this condition have no issues getting pregnant. However, the size and location of the growths can increase the chances of certain complications. The most common problems we see during pregnancy are pre-term labor, restricted fetal development, failure of labor to progress, and placental abruption. Your doctor will monitor fibroid growth during your pregnancy and create a personalized treatment plan to ensure a healthy delivery.

How do you treat this condition?

The options for treating the tumors depends on the severity of any symptoms and your current reproductive health goals. OTC medications can address mild pelvic pain, and birth control pills can help reduce heavy bleeding. For patients who want to start or expand their families, your physician can discuss the best options or refer you to a fertility specialist for further evaluation.

We are committed to helping our patients as they travel through all the stages of life. Our team of San Antonio women’s health doctors wants to educate our patients on the possible connection between uterine fibroids and pelvic pain. Contact our office for more information or to schedule a consultation appointment.