Should I wait until Menopause to treat my uterine fibroids?
It is incorrect to assume uterine fibroids will go away with menopause. Studies have shown that although some uterine fibroids may decrease during menopause when estrogen and progesterone hormone levels are low, a majority will continue to grow. Race places a crucial role in the growth of fibroids during menopause, with African American women experiencing higher rates of fibroid growth well into their 50’s.
Will Menopause change my fibroid symptoms?
Women experiencing menopause do not have a monthly menstrual cycle. They can, however, still have irregular bleeding, abdominal cramps, a protruding belly, and suffer from a need to urinate frequently, especially if they are taking hormone replacement therapy that contains a combination of estrogen and progesterone; the same hormones that allow fibroids to grow in younger women.
What symptoms will I have?
Women suffering from uterine fibroids exhibit the same range of symptoms regardless of their age, including:
- Failure to completely empty bladder
- Pain during sexual intercourse
- Feeling of tiredness and fatigue
- Enlargement of the abdomen
- Intense lower-back pain and leg cramping
What are my treatment options if I want relief now?
You should not wait until per menopause or the onset of menopause to seek treatment for your uterine fibroids. Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE) alleviates the symptoms associated with fibroids without the need for surgery. This minimally invasive, non-surgical procedure has a quick recovery time and preserves the uterus.
To find out if you are a candidate to UFE, contact Dr. Neel Patel at The Atlanta Fibroid Clinic. Dr. Patel is a board-certified vascular and interventional radiologist specializing in the nonsurgical treatment of uterine fibroids through UFE. He is the founder and medical director of the Minimally Invasive Center of Atlanta, located in Doraville and Decatur, Georgia.
Find out how you can be symptom-free through UFE.
