Uterine Fibroids

Heavy periods and pelvic pain are telltale signs of uterine fibroids, noncancerous tumors that can affect your uterus during childbearing years. At Creekside OB/GYN of Folsom in Folsom, California, board-certified OB/GYN Timothy Phelan, MD, FACOG, Mandi O'Brien MSN, FNP-BC, and their team offer several effective treatment options to remove uterine fibroids and improve your comfort. Call or schedule an appointment online today if you have symptoms of uterine fibroids.

What are uterine fibroids?

Uterine fibroids are tumors made of connective tissue and muscle cells that can develop in your uterus. They occur in up to 80% of women and are very rarely cancerous. Fibroids don’t always cause symptoms. They can be as small as a pea or a grain of rice or as large as a grapefruit. Just because a fibroid is small doesn’t mean it won’t cause problems.

The earlier you seek treatment for uterine fibroids, the better chance you have of managing symptoms and preventing potential complications.

Do uterine fibroids have symptoms?

Many women with uterine fibroids experience uncomfortable symptoms such as:

• Longer periods
• Heavy menstrual bleeding
• Constipation
• Pelvic pain or heaviness
• Pain during sex
• Spotting between periods
• Changes in vaginal discharge
• Increased urination 

Some women don’t experience any symptoms from uterine fibroids, making regular health screenings essential to detect them.

Who is at risk of uterine fibroids?

While any woman can develop fibroids, certain risk factors include:

• A family history of uterine fibroids
• Excess weight
• Being older
• Stress
• Being African American
• Low vitamin D

Starting your period before age 10 can also increase your risk of having uterine fibroids as you age.

What happens if uterine fibroids go untreated?

Without treatment, uterine fibroids can cause more pain and heavier periods over time. They might also affect your ability to have children or cause complications during pregnancy. It’s best to talk to the Creekside OB/GYN of Folsom team about treatment options to help ease your symptoms and keep you healthy.

What are the treatments for uterine fibroids?

Some uterine fibroids resolve on their own. The team may recommend monitoring yours to see whether they subside naturally. For those that do require treatment, Creekside OB/GYN of Folsom offers several noninvasive and minimally invasive options, including:

• Hormonal medications to help regulate your menstrual cycle and relieve symptoms
• DaVinci® fibroid surgery
• Uterine artery embolism
• Radiofrequency ablation
• Ibuprofen
• Tranexamic acid (reduces blood flow to fibroids)

The team may also recommend other medications and lifestyle changes to relieve uterine fibroid symptoms. Call Creekside OB/GYN of Folsom today or schedule an appointment online to receive personalized care for uterine fibroids.