| What are uterine fibroids? |
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Fibroids begin from a single cell that is formed during puberty.
Although they are considered a tumor, they are benign and only
very rarely become cancerous. They are composed of tissue that
is similar to the uterus itself, and usually grow along its
walls, but they can grow along the outside or project into the
uterus, as well. They can appear singly, or in clusters, and
can range in size from as tiny as a pea to melon-sized or larger.
| How common are uterine fibroids? |
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Estimates vary because not every woman knows she has them or
seeks medical treatment, but approximately one-third of women
are believed to have them. They are more common among women
between the ages of 35 and 50, and are more common among African-American
women than the population as a whole.
| Are uterine fibroids cancerous? |
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Uterine fibroids are almost always benign. Less than 1% becomes
cancerous, and some studies suggest the number is as small as
one-tenth of one percent.
| What causes uterine fibroids? |
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The answer isn't clear, but heredity may play a part. A single
muscle cell in the uterus changes into a fibroid tumor during
puberty, and the increased presence of estrogen may add to their
formation and growth.
| How long have I had them? |
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The cells that develop into fibroids are born with us. During
puberty, when your ovaries begin releasing estrogen, these cells
are stimulated and can begin to grow.
| What is the difference between a fibroid and a myoma? |
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There is no difference. Those are two names for the same thing.
| Do I need surgery to treat them? |
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Not necessarily. Not every woman who has fibroids needs surgery,
and unless the fibroid is producing symptoms that interfere
with your life, you and your gynecologist at FTG:LA may just
adopt a "watch and wait" program to monitor them.
Every woman is different, and we can evaluate your case in our
office and together we can decide on the right treatment for
you.
| If I have surgery, how long before I can go back
to work? |
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Recovery time depends on the type of surgery that was performed.
If your fibroids were removed through a hysteroscopic myomectomy,
you can usually return to work the following day, but if a hysterectomy
is performed, it may be six to eight weeks before you can. Those
patients who have their fibroids removed through UAE, a minimally
invasive procedure, often return to work the following week.
| How do I pay for treatment? |
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Most insurance plans provide coverage,
and our staff of experts can help you get approval for your
treatment. We also offer reasonable cash prices, and the charges
at our FTG:LA facility can be significantly lower than hospital
prices.
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