Fibroids

Learn the Facts

Fibroid Pain Isn’t Worth Suffering Anymore

As many as three out of four women (75%) may have uterine fibroids at some time during their lives. Many decide to put up with the pain and heavy bleeding to avoid a hysterectomy, as well as the long recovery time after major surgery.

Today’s advanced technology offers women more treatment options for their uterine fibroids than ever before, including the MR Guided Focused Ultrasound Surgery, a non-invasive treatment only offered in Ohio at the OhioHealth Fibroid Center of Excellence at Riverside Methodist Hospital.

Learn more about minimally invasive and non-invasive fibroid treatment options in our videos. You’ll hear the stories of LaDeema Gallagher, Linda Wilson and Kristen Larsen.

Fibroid Symptoms

Backache or leg pains
Constipation
Frequent urination
Heavy menstrual bleeding
Painful sex
Pelvic pressure or pain
Periods lasting more than a week

Fibroids are a way of life for many women.

Fibroids are abnormal growths of the uterine muscles. The growths can be found anywhere in or on the uterus, even hanging from a stem like fruit on a tree. Fibroid symptoms can include extreme pain, heavy bleeding and prolonged periods.

Submucosal fibroids grow inside the uterus and are thought to be primarily responsible for prolonged, heavy menstrual bleeding. This fibroid type can impact pregnancy.
Subserosal fibroids grow outside the uterus and can sometimes press on the bladder, causing symptoms of incontinence. Fibroids on the back of the uterus can press on the rectum or the spinal nerves, causing constipation or backache..
Intramural fibroids grow in the muscle of the uterus and are the most common uterine fibroid type. They may or may not present symptoms.
Pedunculated fibroids are attached to the uterus and hang from a stem. If this type of fibroid twists, the pain can become unbearable. Pedunculated fibroids can also detach from the uterus and live on another pelvic surface that provides a blood supply.

Fibroids don’t increase your risk of uterine cancer.
Fibroids patients should still have annual pap smears.
Fibroids are actually benign tumors.

Types of Fibroids

Submucosal fibroids grow inside the uterus.
Subserosal fibroids grow outside the uterus.
Intramural fibroids grow in the muscle of the uterus and are the most common fibroid type.
Pedunculated fibroids are attached to the uterus and hang from a stem like fruit.

Uterine Fibroid Treatments

Fibroid Treatments offered at the OhioHealth Fibroid Center of Excellence:

Uterine ablation and embolization
Techniques to treat bleeding
Myomectomy
Removal of only the fibroid, leaving the uterus intact
Hysteroscopic myomectomy
A quick outpatient procedure that shaves down the fibroid
Minimally Invasive hysterectomy
Surgical remove of the uterus with state-of-the-art laproscopic or robotic surgery
Magnetic Resonance Guided Focused Ultrasound
A state-of-the-art, noninvasive fibroid treatment
Alternative remedies, such as birth control pills or GnRH agonists
Treating only the symptoms, not the fibroids themselves