Category: Women’s Health

“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.

Not long ago, women with problematic fibroids faced a limited and often daunting set of treatment options: suffer through symptoms, undergo major surgery, or accept hysterectomy as the “final solution.” Today’s landscape looks dramatically different, with minimally invasive procedures offering effective relief without the risks and recovery time of traditional surgery.

At Seamless Medical Centers, we’ve witnessed this evolution firsthand. Our patients often express amazement that they waited so long to seek treatment, not realizing that cutting edge solutions could address their symptoms with minimal disruption to their lives.

The Traditional Treatment Landscape

Historically, fibroid treatment followed a predictable progression:

Watchful Waiting: Monitoring fibroids without active treatment

Medical Management: Hormonal therapies to control symptoms

Myomectomy: Surgical removal of fibroids while preserving the uterusHysterectomy: Complete removal of the uterus

While these approaches remain valid for specific situations, they often involve significant limitations. According to the Fibroid Foundation, 300,000 women a year have hysterectomies due to uterine fibroids, representing a major surgical solution for what might be addressed less invasively.

The Minimally Invasive Revolution

Modern interventional radiology has transformed uterine fibroid treatment by offering procedures that are:

• Less Invasive: Using small incisions or no incisions at all
• More Precise: Targeting fibroids while preserving healthy tissue
• Faster Recovery: Returning to normal activities within days, not weeks
• Outpatient-Based: Going home the same day rather than hospital stays

Detailed Treatment Comparison

Traditional Open Myomectomy

Approach: Large abdominal incision to remove fibroids

Recovery: 4-6 weeks off work

Hospital Stay: 2-3 days typically

Risks: Higher infection risk, significant scarring, longer anesthesia exposure

Laparoscopic/Robotic Myomectomy

Approach: Multiple small incisions with specialized instruments

Recovery: 2-3 weeks off work

Hospital Stay: Usually same-day or overnight

Advantages: Smaller scars, reduced pain compared to open surgery

Hysterectomy

Approach: Removal of entire uterus (various surgical approaches)

Recovery: 6-8 weeks for full recovery

Considerations: Permanent solution but eliminates future pregnancy possibility

Impact: Significant life change requiring careful consideration

Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)

Approach: Targeted thermal energy to destroy fibroid tissue

Recovery: 3-5 days average return to work

Hospital Stay: Outpatient procedure

Precision: Treats fibroids while preserving healthy tissue

Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE) – Our Specialty

Approach: Blocking blood supply to fibroids through catheter in leg artery

Recovery: About 1 week

Performed by: Interventional radiologist

Considerations: UFE has proven to be safe, versatile, and effective in reducing or eliminating symptoms related to uterine fibroids

Why Minimally Invasive Matters

The advantages of minimally invasive approaches extend beyond shorter recovery times:

Reduced Complications: Smaller incisions mean lower infection risks and fewer surgical complications.

Faster Healing: Less tissue trauma allows your body to heal more quickly and with less pain.

Preserved Function: Maintaining uterine structure and function when possible offers long-term benefits.

Cost Effectiveness: Shorter procedures, same-day discharge, and faster return to work reduce overall healthcare costs.

Quality of Life: Minimal downtime means less disruption to work, family, and personal activities.

Real-World Outcomes

Research consistently demonstrates the effectiveness of modern minimally invasive approaches. Studies show UFE treatments were associated with fibroid volume reduction of 46.0% at 3 months and 65.4% at 12 months, with significant improvements in quality of life scores.

Patient satisfaction rates for minimally invasive procedures consistently exceed those for traditional surgical approaches, largely due to the combination of effective symptom relief and reduced treatment burden.

Choosing the Right Approach

The best treatment depends on multiple factors:

Fibroid Characteristics: Size, location, and number of fibroids influence treatment options

Symptom Profile: Heavy bleeding, pressure symptoms, or pain may favor different approaches

Personal Goals: Desire to preserve fertility, avoid surgery, or minimize recovery time

Medical History: Previous surgeries, overall health, and other medical conditions

Lifestyle Factors: Work demands, family responsibilities, and personal preferences

Seamless Medical Centers Advantage

Our focus on minimally invasive interventional radiology offers several key benefits:

Expertise: Board-certified interventional radiologists with extensive experience in image-guided procedures

Technology: State-of-the-art equipment and advanced imaging for optimal precision and safety

Comprehensive Care: From initial consultation through follow-up, we support you throughout your treatment journey

Insurance Coverage: Most major insurance plans cover our procedures, and we handle authorization processes

Making an Informed Decision

Choosing fibroid treatment is a personal decision that should be based on accurate, current information about all available options. Many women are surprised to learn about minimally invasive alternatives to traditional surgery.

During your consultation, we’ll:

• Review your specific fibroid characteristics
• Discuss your symptoms and treatment goals
• Explain all appropriate treatment options
• Provide detailed information about what to expect
• Answer all your questions thoroughly

The Future Is Now

The landscape of fibroid treatment continues to evolve, with new technologies and techniques constantly emerging. However, the fundamental shift toward minimally invasive, precision-based treatments represents a permanent change in how we approach this common condition.

Ready to explore your options?

Contact Seamless Medical Centers to learn how modern, minimally invasive treatments can address your fibroid symptoms effectively while minimizing disruption to your life. Your journey to better health starts with understanding your choices.

Heavy periods that interfere with your daily life. Pelvic pressure that makes you uncomfortable. Frequent trips to the bathroom. If these symptoms sound familiar, you might be among the millions of women dealing with uterine fibroids.

At Seamless Medical Centers, we believe knowledge empowers better health decisions. Understanding what fibroids are and recognizing their symptoms is the first step toward reclaiming your comfort and confidence.

What Are Uterine Fibroids?

Uterine fibroids are noncancerous growths that develop in the smooth muscle cells of the uterus. These growths can appear alone or in groups and range dramatically in size, from as small as a grain of rice to as large as a melon. While the exact cause remains unclear, research indicates that genetics, age, race, and prolonged estrogen exposure may increase your risk.

The numbers tell a compelling story: An estimated 20% to 50% of women of reproductive age currently have fibroids, and up to 77% of women will develop fibroids sometime during their childbearing years. Despite their prevalence, many women suffer silently, accepting symptoms as “normal” parts of womanhood.

Recognizing Fibroid Symptoms

Fibroids don’t always cause symptoms, but when they do, the impact on your daily life can be significant. Common symptoms include:

Heavy and Prolonged Bleeding: Women with fibroids often have periods lasting longer than seven days that can be very heavy, requiring changing sanitary protection frequently.

Pelvic Pressure and Pain: Large fibroids can create a feeling of fullness in your lower abdomen or cause chronic pelvic discomfort.

Urinary Issues: Frequent urination or difficulty emptying your bladder completely when fibroids press against the bladder.

Digestive Problems: Constipation or rectal pressure when fibroids affect nearby organs.

Reproductive Challenges: In some cases, fibroids can contribute to fertility issues or pregnancy complications.

Types and Locations Matter

Understanding where your fibroids are located helps determine the best treatment approach. Our specialists classify fibroids by their position:

Subserosal: Located on the outer wall of the uterus, typically causing bulk or pressure symptoms.

Intramural: Within the muscular walls, often causing heavy bleeding or pressure.

Submucosal: Inside or near the uterine cavity, usually causing heavy bleeding and the least common type.

The size, location, and number of fibroids influence both your symptoms and treatment options.

Modern Treatment: Beyond Traditional Surgery

Gone are the days when hysterectomy was the only solution for problematic fibroids. Today’s minimally invasive approaches offer effective relief while preserving your uterus and dramatically reducing recovery time.

At Seamless Medical Centers, we specialize in advanced techniques that target fibroids precisely while protecting healthy tissue. Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE) is a new, FDA-cleared uterine sparing, outpatient procedure for uterine fibroids that utilizes recent technological advancements in instrumentation and imaging.

Your Path Forward

If fibroid symptoms are affecting your quality of life, you have options beyond “waiting it out” or accepting major surgery. Our team of board-certified interventional radiologists brings decades of experience in minimally invasive procedures that can restore your comfort and confidence.

We believe every woman deserves to live free from the limitations that fibroid symptoms can impose. During your consultation, we’ll review your medical history, discuss your symptoms, and create a personalized treatment plan that aligns with your goals and lifestyle.

Take the First Step

Ready to see if UFE is right for you? Contact Seamless Medical Centers to schedule your consultation. Our experienced team will evaluate your specific situation and help determine if PAE is the right choice for your specific needs. Most major insurance plans cover our procedures, and our team handles the authorization process for you.