By Iris Farrou
28 Feb, 2023
Lifestyle Tips, PMS, Prevention, Procedures, Queer Health, Reproductive health, Sexual health, Women's Health
cysts, Fibroid Cluster, Heavy Periods, Infertility help, MRI, Ovarian, Reproductive system disorders, Symptoms, Ultrasound, Uterine Cancer, Uterine Fibroids, Womens Reproductive Health
If you have a uterus, then you already know there are countless issues to keep in mind and a full maintenance schedule for your uterine health. There is yet another concept to add to your list: uterine fibroids. Ideally, your OBGYN or primary care doctor has already talked to you about these. But if this is the first time you come across this term, fear not–uterine fibroids are extremely common, and 99% of the time they are also harmless. However, that does not mean you should ignore them, or that they don’t contribute their fair share of challenges in your cycle.
What are uterine fibroids and how do I know I have them?
Uterine fibroids, also known as leiomyomas, are quite simple: they are noncancerous growths (or tumors, though that word is admittedly scary) made up of the connective tissue and muscle from the wall of the uterus. They can grow solo, or in a cluster, and are most commonly less than 8 inches in diameter– though they can grow larger. Many people with a uterus do not even realize they have uterine fibroids, unless some of the symptoms start becoming more prominent, or you specifically ask your OBGYN to look for them.
The most common signs of uterine fibroids include heavy menstrual bleeding, periods lasting more than a week, bleeding between your periods, frequent urination or difficulty emptying your bladder–usually resulting in a feeling of heaviness in your lower abdomen–constipation, lower back pain, and even pain during sex. These symptoms are definitely not an exclusive list, and presence of such symptoms does not guarantee the only issue is uterine fibroids: if you have concerns, it is advised that you consult with your doctor so you can know exactly what you are dealing with.
How are they diagnosed and treated?
If you are concerned about the presence of uterine fibroids, you can ask to have an ultrasound done to determine the presence of uterine fibroids. The ultrasound can be transabdominal, and/or be done inside your vagina to get pictures of the uterus. Your doctor may also order blood count tests to determine if you have anemia from chronic blood loss, and to rule out other bleeding disorders. If these methods do not yield satisfactory results, there are more in depth tests that your OBGYN can order, such as an MRI, hysterosonography, or hysteroscopy.
Since uterine fibroids are benign, the recommended treatment–as long as they are not causing significant issues in your day to day life and do not interfere with your fertility–is to keep an eye on them. They rarely grow and do not tend to interfere with fertility and/or pregnancy, and also tend to shrink after menopause. There are possible medications that your doctor may prescribe, medication which control your hormone levels to create menopause-like conditions. This tricks the fibroids into thinking your body has entered menopause, and causes them to shrink along with their unpleasant effects (such as heavy bleeding). Though there are procedures available as well, this is a step you would discuss at length with your doctor.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/uterine-fibroids/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20354294
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9130-uterine-fibroids#diagnosis-and-tests
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Infertility. Go ahead and say the word out loud. There is no reason to feel embarrassed or ashamed if you fear you may be experiencing infertility issues. Rather than fearing that infertility is a word that should go unspoken and unacknowledged, learn the truth about this treatable condition, and when you should seek help.
Infertility Defined
Infertility is a condition of the reproductive system. Not entirely a female-related condition, approximately 30 percent of infertility is due to a female factor, 30 percent is due to a male factor, and the remaining 40 percent is due to problems in both partners or some other unexplainable component.
Infertility-Related Definitions
What follows is a list of some common terms associated with infertility that you should familiarize yourself with if you feel you may be experiencing this condition.
ART (Assisted Reproductive Technology) – Any procedure where a woman’s eggs are surgically removed from a woman’s ovaries and combined with sperm to assist a woman in getting pregnant. IVF, GIFT, and ZIFT are all forms of ART.
Cryopreservation – The process of freezing extra embryos from a couple’s ART procedure for potential future use.
DES Exposure – A possible cause of infertility, Diethylstilbestrol (DES) is a synthetic form of estrogen that was prescribed to pregnant women between 1940 and 1971 to prevent pregnancy complications. It is now known that DES may be the cause of premature birth, miscarriage, and ectopic pregnancy among daughters born to mothers who were prescribed DES before it was banned by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Endometriosis – A possible cause of infertility, endometriosis is a painful chronic condition in which tissue, like that which lines the uterus, develops outside the uterus in areas such as the abdomen, on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and ligaments that support the uterus.
Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) – A hormone produced by the pituitary gland that helps an egg mature and be released. High levels of FSH may be an indication of infertility caused by low ovarian reserves.
Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer (GIFT) – A procedure to treat infertility in which a woman’s eggs are removed, mixed with sperm, and immediately placed into her fallopian tube.
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) – A procedure to treat infertility in which a woman is prescribed an ovulation stimulating medication to produce an excess number of eggs. The eggs are surgically removed and fertilized in a dish with sperm. If fertilization is successful, the embryo is transferred back to the woman’s uterus.
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) – A procedure used to treat infertility in which a single sperm is injected directly into an egg.
Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) – Formerly known as artificial insemination, IUI is a procedure used to treat infertility. The procedure takes the male’s sperm, washes and treats it, then injects it into the woman during ovulation to increase the chances of conception.
Luteal Phase Defect (LPD) – A possible cause of infertility, LPD occurs when the ovaries don’t release enough progesterone, or the uterine lining does not adequately respond to the hormone.
Male Factor Infertility (MFI) – A term used when a man has a lower than normal chance of fertilizing an egg without assistance.
Miscarriage – Also referred to as “spontaneous abortion,” a miscarriage is the spontaneous loss of a fetus before the twentieth week of pregnancy.
Reproductive Endocrinologist – A specialist who identifies and treats infertility in both men and women.
Tubal Disease – A possible cause of infertility, tubal disease is a disorder in which a woman’s fallopian tubes are blocked or damaged, restricting the egg and subsequent embryo from making it to the uterus.
Uterine Factor – A structural or functional disorder of the uterus that results in reduced fertility.
Zygote Intrafallopian Transfer (ZIFT) – A procedure used to treat infertility in which a woman’s eggs are surgically removed and fertilized in a dish with sperm. If fertilization is successful, the embryo is transferred back to the woman’s fallopian tube.
When Should You Seek Help?
You may be diagnosed with infertility if you are under age 35 and have had unprotected, well-time intercourse for one year without being able to get pregnant and/or carry a baby to term. You may also be diagnosed with infertility if you are age 35 or older and have had unprotected, well-timed intercourse for six months without being able to get pregnant.
If either of these scenarios describes you, and you think you may be experiencing infertility, speak with your OB-GYN. He/she can properly diagnose you and help guide you toward a treatment plan that is right for you and your family. And if you are looking for a new practice and live in the WNY area, give our team a call today. We are accepting new patients.
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