Do you suffer from pelvic pain? An ultrasound is a safe way to assess your organs and the structures within your pelvis and help your medical professional determine a diagnosis.
Do you suffer from pain, bloating, and menstrual irregularities on a regular basis? Your symptoms may be the result of fibroids, which are abnormal growths in the uterus.
In most cases, fibroids are benign and noncancerous. Research suggests that up to 70% of women will develop fibroids by the age of 50, but many won’t know they have it because fibroids often don’t have any symptoms.
If you do experience symptoms, see a doctor for a diagnosis, especially if you plan to conceive later in life. Some types of fibroids are more problematic than others and need close monitoring. For example, submucosal fibroids can lead to infertility and miscarriages when left untreated.
Other types of fibroids can increase in size and push on the organs in the surrounding areas, causing a lot of pain.
To help you get to the root of your symptoms, we at Perinatal Diagnostic Centers of New York and New Jersey asked our specialist, board-certified OB/GYN George Guirguis, DO, about fibroids. Read on to find out how you can get a diagnosis and learn about the role that ultrasounds play in identifying abnormalities.
There are many types of imaging systems, including X-rays, CT, CAR, and MRI scans. But ultrasound technology is widely used for the diagnosis of fibroids because it works best for revealing soft yet dense tissues.
Even in pregnant women, ultrasounds are cost-effective and safe because they use sound waves, not radiation, to create an image of what’s happening in your body.
Fibroids aren’t the only abnormal growths or pathologies of the uterus that can cause symptoms. Endometriosis and ovarian cysts can also cause pain, bloating, and menstrual irregularities. That’s why we can’t give you an accurate diagnosis based on your symptoms alone.
If we do recommend an ultrasound, we choose the best one for your symptoms. We offer state-of-the-art 3D technology with either a transabdominal or a transvaginal ultrasound. Both are painless, and neither requires any special preparation, but transvaginal ultrasounds are often more accurate.
The cause of fibroids is unknown, but some women are at a higher risk for developing them, indicating there’s a connection between hormonal health and lifestyle choices.
Certain medications such as the birth control pill may also affect fibroids, because these growths are very sensitive to the hormones progesterone and estrogen.
If you’re unsure whether you have fibroids, or if you simply want a second opinion regarding your treatment, contact us to schedule an appointment at our Hoboken, New Jersey, office to get all of your questions answered.
You Might Also Enjoy...
Do you suffer from pelvic pain? An ultrasound is a safe way to assess your organs and the structures within your pelvis and help your medical professional determine a diagnosis.
By the time they reach 60, almost one-third of American women have undergone a hysterectomy. Some are necessary, but many are not. Read on to learn exactly when you should consider the procedure.
Endometriosis causes more than painful periods; it can have a major impact on quality of life, including interfering with the ability to become pregnant or expand your family. Luckily, treatment options can help.
Struggles to get to the clinic? Trying to reduce your exposure to COVID-19, as well as other contagious illnesses, and still need to see your doctor? Telehealth is safe and easy — receive quality care from anywhere.
Interim Considerations for Infection Prevention and Control of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Inpatient Obstetric Healthcare Settings