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You may be unfamiliar with uterine fibroids, yet 70 to 80% of women will develop fibroids by the time they are 50 years old.
Updated Jan. 18, 2023
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Fibroids are a complex gynecological condition that may impact fertility, and the condition disproportionately affects Black women.
As a practicing obstetrician and gynecologist with over 20 years of experience in the medical women’s health space, I launched Viva Eve in 2016 to provide patients with a one-stop destination where they can manage all aspects related to their overall health. Viva Eve provides patients with in-house access to specialists outside of the traditional OBGYN space, including gynecological surgeons, fibroid specialists, a primary care doctor, and a nutritionist, making the practice one of the most sought-after women’s health destinations in the NY area.
You may be unfamiliar with uterine fibroids, yet 70 to 80% of women will develop fibroids by the time they are 50 years old.
Fibroids are typically non-cancerous tumors that develop in the uterus. These benign tumors develop from normal uterus muscle cells that start growing abnormally. Fibroids can vary in size, ranging from microscopic to several inches. There are several different types of fibroids—and it’s not unusual to have more than one type.
Fibroids may not always present with symptoms, but the most common symptoms of uterine fibroids include:
All women of childbearing age are at risk for developing fibroids—and Black women are 3 times more likely to develop fibroids than white women.
That said, awareness is low and fibroids are often misdiagnosed and treated with invasive and body-altering procedures, such as a hysterectomy.
Fibroids are often suspected at a gynecology visit during a pelvic examination, when the doctor presses on your abdomen (palpates) to feel the uterus.
The diagnosis is then confirmed through an ultrasound and/or an MRI to gather more specific information such as size, location and blood flow. Not all fibroids are symptomatic, but when they are, this also greatly helps in the diagnostic process.
If you have been diagnosed with uterine fibroids, your doctor should discuss all the fibroid treatments options with you. There are several factors that will determine which is the best course of treatment for you, including your age, risk factors, your medical history, and how severe your symptoms are. You can always visit Viva Eve for a consultation or other resources to advocate for your own health.
Eltoukhi HM, Modi MN, Weston M, Armstrong AY, Stewart EA. The health disparities of uterine fibroid tumors for African American women: a public health issue. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2014;210(3):194-199. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2013.08.008
Ulin M, Ali M, Chaudhry ZT, Al-Hendy A, Yang Q. Uterine fibroids in menopause and perimenopause. Menopause. 2020;27(2):238-242. doi:10.1097/GME.0000000000001438
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