Why Women With Large Fibroids Should Consider A Myomectomy As A Treatment Option
Posted on: 22 June 2015
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Gynecology is the branch of medicine that deals with the reproductive system and women's health. Fibroids are a common condition that affects women. However, they become a major health risk when the tumors become too large.
What are Uterine Fibroids?
Uterine fibroids are noncancerous tumors that grow on the inside or outside of the uterus. The growth pattern for these tumors tend to vary. Fibroids can stay the same size, grow slowly or go through a rapid growth spurt.
They can be the size of seeds or so big that the tumors enlarge your uterus. You can have one fibroid or several at one time. Multiple fibroids can make your uterus expand to your rib cage. This condition usually occurs during a woman's childbearing years.
Most fibroids are not noticeable without a sonogram machine, MRI or some other medical scanning machine. If you have small fibroids, then you may not have any symptoms. According to MayoClinic, three out of four women have fibroids at some point during their lives. Most women are unaware that they have fibroids because of experiencing no symptoms.
Size Causes Symptoms
Women with large fibroids experience symptoms that may include anemia, heavy menstrual cycle, weight gain, frequent urination, pelvic pain, acid reflux, back pain and fatigue. When your fibroids become large, you have to treat them.
Treatment Option that Saves Uterus
Your treatment options are limited with large fibroids. They become even smaller if you plan to have children. A myomectomy is the best option if you want to remove the fibroids without destroying your uterus.
This surgical procedure works by taking the tumors while keeping your uterus intact. The open abdominal myomectomy does not use any special tools. It is a vertical or horizontal cut into your stomach.
Large fibroids can stretch your uterus out of shape. When this happens, your uterus requires reconstruction. This step is what makes myomectomy different from a hysterectomy.
Choosing an Experienced Surgeon
A myomectomy can be a complicated surgery that must be done by a gifted surgeon. You want to choose a gynecologist who has experience with removing large fibroids. It can also take going to more than one gynecologist before finding the right surgeon.
If you find out that you have fibroids and have never had children, then you should explore all treatment options. You should expect that some doctors may recommend a hysterectomy. However, it is possible to get rid of large fibroids without removing your uterus. For more information, contact a professional like Mark E Richey MD PC.