Myths and Facts About Uterine Fibroids

Uterine fibroids are noncancerous growths in your uterus. So, if they’re noncancerous, they’re no problem, right? Not always.

At best, uterine fibroids remain small and undetected and cause no symptoms.

At worst, they grow larger and wreak havoc on your health, causing chronic pelvic pain, painful sex, bladder problems, back pain, and a distended belly. 

Friends and family members may give you well-intentioned advice about the condition, but unless you hear it from an expert, take it with a grain of salt.

Our Vascular & Interventional Specialists team in Fort Worth, Texas, diagnoses and treats uterine fibroids daily. Our experience and skills are beneficial when you don’t know exactly what you need. 

If you’ve listened to rumors about uterine fibroids, you can bet we’ve heard them, too, so we’ve made a list of the most common misconceptions and the facts that debunk them.

Myth 1: Older women are the only ones to get uterine fibroids

Fact 1: Fibroids can affect women of all ages

While it’s true that fibroids are more common in women aged 30-50, they can affect women of all ages, including those in their 20s. Younger women aren’t immune to the problem but may experience fibroids differently.

Myth 2: Uterine fibroids always cause symptoms

Fact 2: Many fibroids cause zero symptoms

Many women have fibroids without realizing it, and we only discover their fibroids during routine pelvic exams or imaging tests for other conditions. 

Myth 3: Hysterectomy is the only treatment

Fact 3: Multiple treatments can help fibroids

One of the most alarming and widespread myths is that hysterectomy, the surgical removal of the uterus, is the only treatment for uterine fibroids. While hysterectomy is an option for some,  medication, hormonal therapy, and less invasive surgical techniques can preserve your uterus.

Myth 4: Pregnancy is not possible with fibroids

Fact 4: Many women with fibroids have healthy pregnancies

Don’t fall for the myth that having uterine fibroids makes pregnancy impossible — many women with fibroids go on to have healthy pregnancies. 

While fibroids can sometimes cause complications, such as preterm birth or breech position, many women manage to carry full-term pregnancies without significant issues.

Myth 5: Natural remedies can shrink fibroids

Fact 5: No scientific evidence supports this

Some people believe natural remedies like herbs or dietary changes can shrink fibroids. However, no scientific evidence supports these theories. 

Here’s what research does show: an unbalanced diet and obesity can increase your risk for uterine fibroids and exacerbate existing fibroids.

While a healthy diet and lifestyle can improve overall well-being, they are not a substitute for medical treatments for fibroids.

Medical treatment for uterine fibroids

Now that you know the truth about uterine fibroids, let’s look at how to eliminate them.

Medication and hormonal therapy

If your uterine fibroids are causing uncomfortable symptoms, medication and hormonal therapy could be the answer. 

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can relieve pain, while hormonal treatments like birth control pills can help regulate your menstrual cycles and reduce bleeding. 

However, these treatments don’t eliminate fibroids; they only manage symptoms.

Surgery

When medication isn’t enough, surgical options come into play. 

Myomectomy, which involves removing fibroids while preserving the uterus, is a good solution if you want to stay fertile. 

Another surgical method is endometrial ablation, which destroys the lining of the uterus to reduce bleeding.

Uterine fibroid embolization (UFE)

Depending on your symptoms, we may recommend uterine fibroid embolization, a minimally invasive procedure that targets fibroids directly. We insert a catheter into your uterine arteries and inject tiny particles to block blood flow to the fibroids, causing them to shrink.

The best thing about UFE is that it saves your uterus. 

While UFE is safe and effective, it’s not suitable for everyone. We consider factors like size, number, location of fibroids, your overall health, and future fertility plans. 

If you’re dealing with uterine fibroids and wading through the sea of misinformation and disinformation, call the Vascular & Interventional Specialists or request an appointment online today.