Why do so many women get fibriods?

Dear doctor,I’m 42 yrs old No-one in my family has these fibriods But me I had a myomectomy 4yrs ago because of intence pain 3 months later I grew another one And I’m giong through the same thing now I have one the size of 4 month old baby I’m thinking maybe this new thing Embolization But my doc tells me I might always get them so what can I do But haver every thing taken out I dont want this but what else can I do.

Dear Anonymous-
Chances are your fibroids did not grow back-they were not completely removed during the first surgery. Many patients that have a “traditional myomectomy” experience this same problem. Our FAS procedure has a recurence rate of less than 3% due to the technique and the laser use. Only you can decide if another surgery is warranted. We do not believe in leaving fibroid tumors untreated in younger women and do not advocate hysterectomies for this disease.

I just has an Pelvic ultrasound done and the results came I have a 1. Enlarged uterus and
2. Large septated cyst right ovary with scattered internal echoes suggestive of hemorrhagic content. Wanted to say I don’t have insurance. So an operation of any kind is out. My uterus measure 5.62 x 5.97 x 11.09 cm. Endometrial thickness is 1.11 cm. What does it mean? I know I have a cyst on my right side cause of pain everyday but what about the uterus. Should I go to my Ob/Gym doctors.

Dear Rosa-
Unfortunately, Rosa, you probably need surgery. I think you already know that!!! An enlarged uterus can be associated with fibroids or adenomyosis, however your hemorrhagic cyst should be treated. If you do not seek medical help, your pain will only continue. Go to your gyn. Good Luck
Dr. DJ

I have about half dozen firbroids, some cramping and extremely heavy bleeding without the birth control pills. I am 43 years old and through with my child bearing years. My doctor is trying to help me control the heavy and irregular bleeding by using birth control pills. However, now we are considering Lupron Depot or Uterine fibroid embolization. What is your opinion on the treatments that I have presented with thus far?

Dear Karen-
I do not advocate either treatment. Lupron will only treat the symptoms of the fibroids and not the disease itself. It places patients into a form of “chemical menopause”, with all the related side effects and has no long term positive outcome.
Embolization is usually limited to few tumors. Once patients have several tumors they usually have many more-with that procedure those tumors are left untreated to continue to grow. Also, that procedure has not perfected EXACTLY where the blood supply is cut off. I operated on a patient post embolization that had half her uterus destroyed due to no blood supply. She required a partial hysterectomy to prevent sepsis. Eventually this might be a good option for many fibroid patients, but at this point, I do not recommend this procedure for patients with multiple tumors.

Hello,I’m 42 yrs.old,I just had a pelvic ultrasound,I was told that I have several fibroid cysts on my uterus (largest measuring 2.5 cm) and one on my ovary (measuring 2.6 cm) they have told me that they need to remove my uterus and posibbly my one ovary,they want to do the procedure vaginally,but I think I would rather have it done with through my stomach.

Dear iwilwin-
The reason women develop fibroids is unknown.
As you have seen, your pathology is very common in women your age. I do not believe in removing organs to treat these benign conditions. Please make sure you do your homework before agreeing to a hysterectomy or oophorectomy-read the section on the website under Hysterectomy Complications-these symptoms are real.
Why perform an irreversible procedure, when it is not necessary? You are a very good candidate for FAS.
Good Luck

I am 52 years old and have, according to blood tests, gone through menopause in the last several months. Because of heavy bleeding and pain, I had an endometrial ablation done back in November because I chose not to have a hysterectomy. My doctor did remove a couple of
fibroid tumors but said he may not have gotten
one big one that had grown into the wall of my uterus. I did not worry about it as I thought,
since I was menopausal, that would take care if it
on its own. Now, 6 mos after the surgery I still have pain, no bleeding, but pain in my groin, right side, and around my tailbone. I have trouble having a bowel movement and frequent bladder infections, and pressure on my bladder.
Could this still be from the fibroids? and why
haven’t they shrunk? I am not on HRT. Thanks.

Dear dudleyg-
This is one of the classic reasons, I do not recommend postponing the treatment of fibroids. Endometrial ablation treats the symptoms but not the disease. Most likely, based on your symptoms, your fibroid is now pressing on your bowel, bladder and nerves in the back.
Some fibroids can shrink during menopause, but the larger ones do not usually shrink enough. In order to get relief, you will probably need to have it removed.

i thank god for this website. i had a myomectomy performed by my gynecologist in March of 1997. I was really disappointed to find out that fibroid tumors had grown back in less than 3 to 5 yrs. after my surgery. For the last 2 years, I have been experiencing heavy clots during my menstrual cycles, and sometimes terrible cramping in the lower portion of my back. I have not taken birth control pills in over a year, and still have not conceived.I have told my concerns to my doctor, and he suggested the procedure called a laparascopy. What is the difference between a laparascopy and a hysteroscopy? Do you think I should see a reproductive endocrinologist? I am 35 years old,and i often wonder if my chances of conceiving a child are lessening due to my age.

Dear pblaney-
You need to ask your doctor what he is looking for with a laparoscopy. This procedure is an outpatient surgery that looks into the female pelvis with a camera..it will look at all your organs. Hysteroscopy is a procedure that looks at the endometrial cavity, inside your uterus..the camera goes up through your vagina. It can see the opening of the fallopian tubes and check the cavity lining.
You may not be getting pregnant because of the fibroids or you may also have a disease known as adenomyosis..which is a form of endometriosis that attacks the uterine muscle. It produces an enlarged uterus, painful cycles, heavy periods with large clots.
It does eventually render women infertile…so time is of the essence.
The scope may give you a diagnosis but doubtful it will render treatment for your problem.
You should have your hormones checked as part of this process..but chances are they are not your problem…therefore an endocrinologist would most likely not be helpful. Your gyn can check your hormones. You need to find a physician who can both hormonally and surgically evaluate your condition.
Good Luck