What happens if fibroids go untreated?

Uterine fibroids are growths that form within or on your uterus. Made of muscular tissue, they aren't usually cancerous. For many women, they can cause unwanted symptoms, leaving them seeking fibroid treatment options. Others, however, aren't bothered by fibroid symptoms or don't even know they have these growths. So, what happens if fibroids go untreated? Keep reading to find out!

Different Types of Fibroids

Fibroids can grow to different sizes, and develop in different locations. In fact, we classify fibroids five different ways, based on their location.

Subserosal fibroids grow outside the uterus, while intramurals develop within the muscular uterine wall. A
pedunculated fibroid grows apart from the uterus, attached via stalk-like growth to the outer or inner surface of the uterus. Submucosal fibroids, the least common, develop beneath your uterine cavity lining. And calcified fibroids are hardened growths that have accumulated calcium deposits, making them harder to remove.

The size and location of your fibroids will often determine your symptom severity, along with your treatment decisions.

Fibroid Treatment Options

After your fibroids are detected, you'll have time to explore treatment options. Some women prefer to watch and wait, seeing if they become more bothersome. Others prefer to manage their symptoms with medications, while leaving the growths in place. In some cases, women will surgically remove tumors via myomectomy, while others elect to remove their uterus via hysterectomy.

It's important to remember, though, that you can treat fibroids without surgery. That's why, at our Houston fibroids clinic, we offer Uterine Fibroid Embolization. It's a minimally invasive procedure that shrinks fibroids without surgery or overnight hospital stays. So, now you now you have options when it comes to fibroids treatment. But what happens if you don't make a choice? Here's what you need to know!

What Happens if Fibroids Go Untreated?

If you choose to delay or avoid treatment options, you may be fine for a while. But, your fibroids could also grow larger. Or new ones could develop. And that could lead to new or worsening symptoms, including heavy periods, pelvic pain, infertility and weight gain, just to name a few.

Want to avoid fibroid complications and surgery, while finding symptom relief? Click here to request an appointment with our fibroid specialists in Houston. Together, we can help you avoid worsening symptoms with a minimally invasive approach.