Uterine fibroids affect approximately 50% of all women. Luckily, many women find that the symptoms of fibroid cysts are either non-existent or mild. Those women don’t have to worry about any invasive procedures for the removal of uterine fibroids, procedures that, many times, lead to negative side-effects for many years.
Unfortunately, a huge number of women diagnosed with uterine fibroids aren’t quite so lucky. For instance, one of the most common symptoms of uterine fibroids is increased bleeding during menstruation. An astounding 46% of all women affected by this condition suffer from increased bleeding, something which can lead to anemia. As Mayo Clinic details, however, increased bleeding is just the tip of the iceberg. Uterine fibroids can also cause chronic pelvic pain, trouble urinating or moving your bowels, and a slew of other problems.
If you’re experiencing the symptoms of uterine cysts, your first step should be alerting your doctor. From there, you’ll start to get a clearer picture of what your options for treatment are. Keep in mind, not everyone requires treatment for uterine fibroids, but it’s good to know the pros and cons of the most common treatments just in case.
The Pros and Cons of the Most Popular Fibroid Tumor Treatments
- A Myomectomy Targeting the Cysts
- Birth Control to Lighten or Eliminate Menstrual Bleeding
- A Complete Hysterectomy
As WomensHealth.gov details, a myomectomy is often considered to be one of the best treatments for women suffering from extreme symptoms of fibroid cysts. Getting a myomectomy is considered preferable for women who want to have children, as this procedure leaves the uterus largely intact. While a myomectomy is the procedure of choice for prospective mothers and those looking to avoid an overly invasive procedure, it isn’t without risks. If the cysts are located deep within the uterine tissue, women who undergo a myomectomy may only be able to deliver children via a cesarean section, a procedure that isn’t without its own risks.
If you suffer from heavy menstrual bleeding as a result of uterine cysts, it’s important to know that you have options beyond surgery. As WebMD suggests, hormone-based birth control and intrauterine devices have been shown to lessen or even eliminate bleeding, with some options also relieving associated pain. As with any hormone-based option, though, you’ll need to consider the common health risks, such as increased blood pressure and increased likelihood of certain kinds of cancer.
Of all treatments for uterine cysts, hysterectomies are the most common; they’re also the most fraught with risk. As the popular online guide to health MedicineNet highlights, hysterectomies are so common because they are the only option that guarantees you won’t have to worry about cysts anymore. On the other hand, they are also exceptionally invasive, and have been shown to affect everything from sex drive to cardiovascular health.
Do you have any experience with uterine fibroid treatments? What important information did we fail to mention about the symptoms of fibroid cysts and related fibroid treatments? Let us know in the comments below.
