Our Services / Uterine Fibroids

What are uterine fibroids?

Uterine fibroids are muscular tumors that grow in the uterus (womb). These tumors are noncancerous and vary in size and number.

You may be at greater risk of developing uterine fibroids if they run in your family. They most often develop in women between 30 and 40 years old and disappear once they reach menopause.

Where do uterine fibroids grow?

Fibroids may grow inside or outside your uterus. The location of your uterine fibroids may determine the best treatment. 

The pelvic health experts at Northwest Arkansas Urology Associates classify your uterine fibroids into types based on where and how they grow. These types include:

Submucosal fibroids

Submucosal uterine fibroids grow inside the uterus, filling the inner space of the womb.

Intramural fibroids

Intramural fibroids grow into the wall of the uterus. 

Subserosal fibroids

Subserosal uterine fibroids grow on the outside wall of your uterus. 

Pedunculated fibroids

Pedunculated uterine fibroids are the least common type of fibroid. These fibroids grow from a thin stem on the outside wall of your uterus and look a lot like a mushroom.

What are the symptoms of uterine fibroids?

Not every woman with uterine fibroids has symptoms. The size, location, and the number of fibroids you have may play a role in whether you have symptoms. 

Common symptoms of uterine fibroids include:

• Pelvic pain
• Heavy menstrual bleeding
• Frequent urination
• Back pain
• Pain during intercourse
• Constipation
• Abdominal distention
• Inability to completely empty your bladder or bowel

The urinary symptoms related to uterine fibroids occur because the tumor presses into your bladder.

How are uterine fibroids treated?

Treatment for uterine fibroids depends on the severity of your symptoms.

If your fibroids cause no symptoms, you may not need any treatment. However, your women’s health expert at Northwest Arkansas Urology Associates may recommend periodic follow-up visits so they can monitor your fibroids.

If your uterine fibroids cause symptoms that affect your quality of life, you may benefit from medical or surgical interventions. 

Medical treatments

Medical treatments may include hormonal contraception to reduce heavy bleeding and over-the-counter pain medication for discomfort. The team may also prescribe a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist to shrink the fibroid.

Surgical treatments

If medical interventions fail to ease your symptoms, the team at Northwest Arkansas Urology Associates may suggest surgical interventions, such as:

• Myomectomy: Surgery to remove uterine fibroids
• Hysterectomy: Surgery to remove the uterus
• Endometrial ablation: Heating the lining of the uterus to reduce bleeding
• Uterine fibroid embolization: Destroying blood supply to the fibroid

When performing surgery, the team uses minimally invasive tools and techniques to reduce trauma and recovery time.

For comprehensive care for your uterine fibroids, call Northwest Arkansas Urology Associates, or schedule an appointment online today.