Uterine Fibroids

What Are Uterine Fibroids?

Uterine fibroids (also called leiomyomas or myomas) are non-cancerous growths that develop in or on the muscular wall of the uterus. They range in size from as small as a seed to as large as a melon, and a woman can have one fibroid or many. Fibroids are extremely common — research indicates that up to 80% of women will develop fibroids by age 50, though not all women experience symptoms.

While fibroids are almost always benign, they can cause significant symptoms that interfere with daily life, including heavy menstrual bleeding, pelvic pain, bloating, and pressure on the bladder or bowels. The good news is that effective, minimally invasive treatments are available — and surgery is not your only option.

Types of Uterine Fibroids

Fibroids are classified by where they grow in relation to the uterine wall. Understanding your fibroid type helps your doctor recommend the most effective treatment approach.

Intramural Fibroids

The most common type, intramural fibroids grow within the muscular wall of the uterus. As they enlarge, they can stretch the uterus, causing it to feel larger than normal. These fibroids frequently cause heavy menstrual bleeding, pelvic pain, and a feeling of fullness or pressure.

Subserosal Fibroids

These fibroids develop on the outer surface of the uterus and can grow large enough to make the uterus appear disproportionately large on one side. They may press on surrounding organs, causing back pain, bladder pressure, or constipation.

Submucosal Fibroids

Growing just beneath the inner lining of the uterus, submucosal fibroids are less common but tend to cause the most significant symptoms. Even small submucosal fibroids can cause extremely heavy menstrual bleeding, prolonged periods, and can interfere with fertility.

Pedunculated Fibroids

These fibroids grow on a stalk (peduncle) attached to the uterine wall, either inside the uterine cavity or on the outer surface. They can sometimes twist on their stalk, causing sudden, severe pain.

Symptoms of Uterine Fibroids

Many women with fibroids experience no symptoms at all. But when symptoms do occur, they can significantly impact quality of life. Common fibroid symptoms include:

• Heavy menstrual bleeding — Soaking through pads or tampons every hour, bleeding for more than 7 days, or passing large blood clots during your period
• Pelvic pain and pressure — A persistent feeling of heaviness, fullness, or aching in the lower abdomen or pelvis
• Frequent urination — Fibroids pressing on the bladder can cause you to feel like you need to urinate more often
• Difficulty emptying the bladder — Large fibroids can make it hard to fully empty your bladder
• Constipation — Fibroids pressing on the rectum can cause difficulty with bowel movements
• Back and leg pain — Fibroids pressing on nerves can cause pain radiating to the back or legs
• Enlarged abdomen — Large fibroids can cause visible swelling or bloating in the lower abdomen
• Pain during intercourse — Certain fibroid positions can cause discomfort during sexual activity
• Anemia and fatigue — Heavy menstrual bleeding can lead to iron-deficiency anemia, causing tiredness, weakness, and shortness of breath

If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, we encourage you to schedule a consultation. Many women wait years before seeking treatment, not realizing that effective, non-surgical options exist.

What Causes Fibroids?

The exact cause of uterine fibroids isn't fully understood, but several factors are known to play a role:

• Hormones — Estrogen and progesterone stimulate fibroid growth. Fibroids tend to shrink after menopause when hormone levels decline.
• Genetics — If your mother, sister, or grandmother had fibroids, your risk is significantly higher.
• Race — Black women are 2-3 times more likely to develop fibroids than white women, and tend to develop them at a younger age with more severe symptoms.
• Age — Fibroids are most common in women in their 30s and 40s.
• Obesity — Being overweight increases estrogen levels, which can promote fibroid growth.
• Diet — Diets high in red meat and low in green vegetables, fruit, and dairy may increase fibroid risk.

Treatment Options for Uterine Fibroids

There are multiple approaches to treating fibroids, ranging from watchful waiting to surgery. The right treatment depends on your symptoms, fibroid size and location, desire for future pregnancy, and personal preferences.

Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE) — Our Specialty

UFE is a minimally invasive, non-surgical procedure performed by an interventional radiologist. A thin catheter is inserted through a tiny incision (usually in the wrist), guided to the arteries feeding the fibroids, and small particles are injected to block blood flow. Without blood supply, the fibroids shrink over the following weeks and months.

UFE treats all fibroids in the uterus simultaneously, preserves the uterus, requires no general anesthesia, and has a typical recovery time of 1-2 weeks — compared to 6-8 weeks for a hysterectomy. Studies show that approximately 90% of women experience significant symptom relief after UFE.

Hysterectomy

Surgical removal of the uterus. While it permanently eliminates fibroids, it is a major surgery requiring general anesthesia and 6-8 weeks of recovery. It ends the possibility of future pregnancy and carries higher risks including infection, blood loss, and organ damage.

Myomectomy

Surgical removal of individual fibroids while preserving the uterus. This may be recommended for women who want to preserve fertility. However, fibroids can recur after myomectomy, and the procedure carries surgical risks.

Medication

Hormonal medications like GnRH agonists can temporarily shrink fibroids and reduce symptoms. However, they don't eliminate fibroids permanently, and symptoms typically return when medication is stopped. Long-term use can cause side effects including bone loss.

Watchful Waiting

If fibroids are small and not causing symptoms, your doctor may recommend monitoring them with periodic ultrasounds. This approach is appropriate for women approaching menopause, since fibroids often shrink naturally as estrogen levels decline.

Why Choose UFE at Preferred Fibroid?

Our board-certified interventional radiologists specialize in UFE and have performed thousands of successful procedures. We provide comprehensive care from your initial consultation through recovery, ensuring you understand your options and feel supported every step of the way.

With five locations across Atlanta and Cleveland, expert treatment is close to home. Most insurance plans cover UFE, and our team will verify your coverage before scheduling your procedure.