Frequently Asked Questions about Fibroids
How many times have you left the doctor's
office feeling like everything is a blur?
It can be overwhelming to take in everything
your doctor tells you during a visit, especially
when it pertains to your own health or someone
you care about deeply. Do not hesitate to ask
your doctor to repeat any information you do not
quite understand or to ask your doctor any questions
that may be on your mind. It is also a good idea
to write your questions down and bring along someone
to help you "listen" to the answers.
The following are commonly asked questions about
fibroids and doctor responses.
Will I need to have a hysterectomy because
I have a fibroid?
It is not likely. Most women do not require hysterectomy
to treat their fibroids. Hysterectomy is major
surgery that involves removing the entire uterus.
It depends on the type and severity of your symptoms
and how they impact your life style. It also depends
on the size of your fibroids, their location in
your uterus, and whether or not you are planning
to have children in the future. There are now
many options for patients who are experiencing
significant symptoms. Remember, this is a benign
(or non-cancerous) problem. Take your time to
consider all of your options carefully. Make sure
you have a physician who has a lot of experience
with treating fibroids and offers a full range
of treatment options.
If I take hormones to alleviate my symptoms,
will the fibroid grow back?
There are many drugs that are effective in treating
fibroid symptoms, but they do not get rid of or
cure fibroids. They can only shrink them and control
them while they are being used. If you discontinue
these medications, the fibroids will generally
grow back within several months.
Could my fibroid be preventing me from becoming
pregnant?
Fibroids rarely interfere with conception. However,
fibroids that are so large and block both fallopian
tubes or fill most of the uterine cavity (thus
interfering with implantation of a fertilized
egg into the uterine wall) may be the reason for
your infertility.
Do I have to do anything about my fibroid
if I am not having any symptoms?
No, you do not have to do very much if you do
not have any symptoms. Your doctor may suggest
getting an ultrasound to document the size, number,
and location for future follow-up and to make
sure that the diagnosis is correct and not something
more serious. It's a good idea to have your doctor
evaluate the status of your fibroids once or twice
a year to determine if there are any significant
changes.
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