“I thought heavy periods were just normal.” “This bloating feeling must be part of being a woman.”
These are comments our specialists hear daily from patients who’ve been suffering unnecessarily with fibroid symptoms.
The truth is that debilitating periods and chronic pelvic discomfort are not something you should accept as normal. Approximately 70% of Caucasian women and 80% of African American women have uterine fibroids, but you don’t have to let them control your life.
Defining Abnormal Bleeding
Understanding what constitutes abnormal bleeding helps you recognize when to seek treatment. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a longer than usual period is defined as menstrual bleeding that lasts more than 7 days.
Red flags for abnormal bleeding include:
- Changing a pad or tampon every hour for several hours
- Using double protection (tampon and pad together)
- Bleeding for more than seven daysBlood clots larger than a quarter
- Flooding or gushing that limits daily activities
Fibroids can cause your periods to be very heavy or for you to even bleed between periods, leading to anemia and fatigue that compound the problem.
The Hidden Impact of “Managing” Symptoms
Many women develop elaborate coping strategies around their periods – staying close to bathrooms, avoiding white clothing, canceling plans during their cycle. While these adaptations might seem manageable, they represent a significant reduction in quality of life.
Research shows that women with fibroid symptoms often wait years before seeking treatment. The study populations were demographically diverse and clinically heterogeneous, with women waiting an average of 3.6 years to seek treatment.
Beyond Periods: Other Concerning Symptoms
Heavy bleeding gets the most attention, but fibroids cause other symptoms that significantly impact daily life:
Pelvic Pressure: It is not unusual for a uterus with fibroids to reach the size of a four to five month pregnancy. This enlargement creates persistent pressure that can affect your posture, comfort, and confidence.
Urinary Problems: Frequent urination, especially at night, disrupts sleep and daily activities. Some women develop urinary urgency or difficulty emptying their bladder completely.
Digestive Issues: Constipation and bowel pressure occur when fibroids compress nearby organs, affecting normal digestive function.
Fatigue and Anemia: Heavy bleeding often leads to iron deficiency anemia, causing exhaustion, weakness, and difficulty concentrating.
When to Seek Treatment
You don’t need to wait until symptoms become severe. Consider consulting a specialist if you experience:
- Menstrual bleeding that interferes with daily activities
- Periods lasting longer than seven days
- Pelvic pain or pressure that affects your comfortUrinary frequency or urgency
- Fatigue related to heavy bleeding
- Any symptoms that concern you or reduce your quality of life
Modern Solutions for an Age-Old Problem
The good news is that effective, minimally invasive treatments are available. At Seamless Medical Centers, we offer advanced procedures that address uterine fibroid symptoms without requiring major surgery or long recovery periods.
Our interventional radiology approach uses image-guided techniques to target fibroids precisely while preserving healthy tissue. Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE) has proven to be safe, versatile, and effective in reducing or eliminating symptoms related to uterine fibroids.
Benefits of our approach include:
- Outpatient procedures with same-day discharge
- Minimal incisions (small pinhole access)
- Faster recovery compared to traditional surgery
- Preservation of the uterus
- Significant symptom improvement
Your Journey to Better Health
Every woman’s fibroid experience is unique, which is why we create personalized treatment plans based on your specific symptoms, goals, and medical history. During your consultation, we’ll discuss all available options, ensuring you make an informed decision about your care.
Our team includes board-certified interventional radiologists who specialize in minimally invasive procedures. We understand that choosing treatment involves both medical and personal considerations, and we’re here to support you through every step of the process.
Remember: Your health and comfort matter. You deserve to live without the limitations that fibroid symptoms can impose.
Contact us to learn how modern, minimally invasive treatments can help you reclaim your quality of life.
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