Do I Need a Hysterectomy if I Have Uterine Fibroids?

Over their lifetime, up to 80% of women will develop uterine fibroids, benign, muscular tumors that form in the wall of the uterus. If you’re among the more than 35 million American women diagnosed with this condition, it’s natural to wonder if a hysterectomy is the right solution.

The answer depends on several factors, including the size and location of your fibroid(s) and the associated symptoms. At Darin Swainston MD. FACOG in Las Vegas, Nevada, our board-certified OB/GYN providers specialize in diagnosing and treating uterine fibroids of all kinds.

How can I tell if I have uterine fibroids?

Because fibroids range in size from very tiny, about the size of a small seed, to as large as a melon or grapefruit, it’s not always easy to know if you have fibroids. Many women with fibroids don’t have any noticeable symptoms.

But for about one-fifth of women with fibroids, the benign tumors cause problematic symptoms that could benefit from medical intervention. Symptoms vary based on the size and location of your fibroids, but may include:

• Heavy bleeding, often with cramps
• Bloated or protruding abdomen 
• Pain in your lower back
• Pain during sexual intercourse
• Urgent and/or frequent need to urinate
• Longer-than-normal menstrual periods
• Trouble emptying your bladder fully
• Feelings of pressure or pain in the pelvic area or abdomen

Depending on their location, uterine fibroids can also cause digestive problems and constipation. For an accurate diagnosis, it’s important to schedule an exam with a medical provider who specializes in women’s health, like the team at Darin Swainston MD. FACOG. 

Our doctors discuss your symptoms, review your history, and use a comprehensive physical exam to check for fibroids. They may also order imaging studies, like an MRI, to confirm the diagnosis and pinpoint the fibroid’s location.

Do all fibroids require a hysterectomy?

No! In many cases, fibroids are treatable without the need to remove your uterus. In fact, many women who don’t have problematic symptoms don’t require any treatment for their fibroids at all. 

For women struggling with troublesome symptoms, your Darin Swainston MD. FACOG provider creates a personalized fibroid treatment plan based on your unique fibroids and any associated risk factors. Your treatment plan may include:

• Medications like hormonal contraceptives or Gn-RH agonists
• Noninvasive procedures like MRI-guided ultrasound ‘surgery’
• Minimally invasive procedures like AcessaTM, myolysis, or uterine artery embolization (UAE)
• Traditional surgery like hysterectomy or myomectomy

If a surgical procedure is necessary, like a hysterectomy, keep in mind that the team at Darin Swainston MD. FACOG uses robotic-assisted minimally invasive techniques. In the case of hysterectomy, our providers use single-site umbilical hysterectomy to remove your womb through a small incision in the belly button rather than a large incision in the abdomen or through the vagina. This means you have smaller incisions, fewer risks compared to traditional surgery, and a faster recovery.

Ready to learn more about fibroids and your many treatment options? Schedule an appointment online or over the phone at Darin Swainston MD. FACOG in Las Vegas, Nevada.