For many women, the first time they get their period, they’re told that discomfort, heavy bleeding, or pain is simply something they have to “deal with.” Over time, those messages can linger and lead many women to normalize symptoms that disrupt their daily lives. But pain, excessive bleeding, and ongoing discomfort are not things anyone should have to accept as normal.
If your menstrual cycle or pelvic symptoms are affecting how you feel, function, or live your life, it’s important to know that help is available.
Common symptoms that deserve attention include:
- Heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding
- Pelvic pressure or pain
- Bloating or a feeling of fullness in the lower abdomen
- Frequent urination
- Pain during intercourse
- Fatigue or anemia caused by blood loss
For many women, these symptoms may be linked to uterine fibroids, noncancerous growths that develop in or around the uterus, most often during the reproductive years. Fibroids vary in size, number, and location, and these differences can greatly influence the type and severity of symptoms a woman experiences.
“One of the most important things to know is that fibroids are highly individual,” says Dr. Payal Shah, OB/GYN at Holy Name. “Their size, location, and number all influence symptoms and treatment should never be one-size-fits-all.”
At Holy Name, we begin each patient visit with a thorough evaluation and a detailed discussion of your symptoms, lifestyle, and future plans. If necessary, we’ll arrange for advanced imaging. Once there is a better understanding of what may be causing these symptoms we’ll discuss next steps. For some patients, symptoms can be managed with medication or hormonal therapy. For others, we’ll connect you with colleagues at the Fibroid Center at Holy Name to discuss minimally invasive procedures or surgery that may offer lasting relief.
Many women are relieved to learn that hysterectomy is not the only option. Today's treatments allow us to target fibroids while preserving the uterus whenever possible.
If fibroid symptoms are affecting your quality of life, you deserve answers and options. Our goal is to help you feel confident in your care decisions and supported throughout your treatment.
To book an appointment at the Fibroid Center call (201) 833-7212.
