Many women in the Chicagoland area experience unexplained pelvic pain, unusually heavy periods, and other painful symptoms without understanding the underlying cause. For a significant number of these women, uterine fibroids could be the culprit.
When it comes to uterine fibroids, knowledge truly is power. Understanding the specific type of fibroid you have is crucial for navigating your healthcare options with confidence rather than confusion. This is especially important when you’re looking for uterine fibroid treatment that aligns with your preferences for non-invasive approaches.
What Are Uterine Fibroids?
Uterine fibroids are benign (non-cancerous) growths that develop within or around the uterus. These growths are made up of muscle and fibrous tissue, and they can vary significantly in size—from as tiny as a seed to as large as a grapefruit or even bigger in some cases.
Fibroids are remarkably common, affecting up to 70% of women by age 50. They’re particularly prevalent among women in their 30s and 40s, though they can develop at any age after puberty.
Why Fibroid Type Matters
The type of fibroids directly impacts which symptoms you experience and how they affect your daily life. Not all fibroids cause the same problems—some lead to heavy bleeding, while others create pressure or pain. Knowing your specific type helps determine which treatments might work best for you.
This knowledge is especially valuable when searching for uterine fibroid treatment in Chicago, as it allows you to find specialists who have experience with your particular situation. Understanding your fibroid type also helps you better assess how they might affect fertility or pregnancy plans.
Intramural Fibroids
Intramural fibroids are the most common type, accounting for roughly 70% of all fibroids. These growths develop within the muscular wall of the uterus.
Location and Growth Pattern
These fibroids begin as small growths within the myometrium (the middle layer of the uterine wall). As they grow, they can expand inward toward the uterine cavity or outward toward the outer surface of the uterus. When they become large enough, they can actually distort the shape of the uterus.
Common Symptoms
- Heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding
- Pelvic pressure or feelings of fullness
- Lower back pain
- Frequent urination (if the fibroid presses on the bladder)
- Constipation (if the fibroid presses on the rectum)
- Abdominal distention or visible enlargement
Impact on Daily Life
For Chicago women experiencing these symptoms, the effects can be far-reaching. Heavy periods can lead to anemia, causing fatigue that affects work performance and daily activities. The pelvic pressure and back pain can make exercise uncomfortable, and frequent bathroom trips can disrupt sleep and daily routines.
When looking for uterine fibroid treatment nearby, it helps to mention these specific symptoms, as they help healthcare providers understand the pattern typical of intramural fibroids.
Subserosal Fibroids
Subserosal fibroids develop on the outer wall of the uterus, extending outward into the pelvic cavity. These represent about 20% of all fibroids.
Location and Growth Pattern
These fibroids grow outward from the serosa, which is the outer layer of the uterus. They can remain attached to the uterus by a narrow or broad base, or they may develop a stalk and extend further into the pelvic cavity.
Distinct Symptoms
Because subserosal fibroids grow outward rather than affecting the uterine cavity, they often cause different symptoms than other types, such as:
- Pressure on surrounding organs
- Back pain or rectal pressure
- Bloating or abdominal distention
- Pelvic discomfort, especially when lying down
- Frequent urination if pressing on the bladder
Why They Often Go Unnoticed
Subserosal fibroids frequently grow silently until they reach a substantial size. Since they don’t typically affect menstrual flow (unless they’re very large and distort the entire uterus), many women don’t realize they have them until they’re discovered during a routine pelvic exam or ultrasound.
When researching uterine fibroid treatment in Chicago, it’s worth noting that subserosal fibroids often respond well to targeted non-invasive therapies because of their outer location.
Submucosal Fibroids
Submucosal fibroids are the least common type, making up only about 5–10% of all fibroids, but often cause the most noticeable symptoms despite their relative rarity.
Location and Growth Pattern
These fibroids develop just under the endometrium, which is the inner lining of the uterine cavity. They grow into the space where a pregnancy would develop, often disrupting the normal function of the endometrium.
Associated with Bleeding and Fertility Issues
Submucosal fibroids frequently cause:
- Extremely heavy menstrual bleeding
- Prolonged periods
- Bleeding between periods
- Passing large clots during menstruation
- Anemia due to blood loss
- Difficulty conceiving
- Increased risk of miscarriage
Often the Smallest but Most Disruptive
What makes submucosal fibroids particularly challenging is that they don’t need to be large to cause significant problems. Even a small submucosal fibroid can dramatically increase menstrual bleeding and interfere with implantation of an embryo.
For Chicago women searching for uterine fibroid treatment who are experiencing heavy bleeding or have fertility concerns, it’s especially important to determine if submucosal fibroids might be present, as they require specific approaches.
Understanding the Type–Treatment Connection
Understanding your specific fibroid type empowers you to make informed decisions about your health care. Different types of fibroids respond differently to various treatments, and knowing what you are dealing with can help narrow down your options.
Why Knowing Your Fibroid Type is Empowering
Understanding your specific fibroid type puts you in control of your health decisions. With this knowledge, you can better understand why you’re experiencing certain symptoms and not others. You’ll have more productive conversations with healthcare providers because you can ask targeted questions.
When evaluating treatment options, you’ll be able to focus on approaches most likely to work for your specific situation. This understanding helps set realistic expectations about symptom relief and treatment outcomes. When seeking uterine fibroid treatment in Chicago, being informed about your fibroid type helps you find providers with the right expertise for your needs.
Find a Treatment That Works for You
When searching for uterine fibroid treatment in the Chicagoland area, consider Joint Vascular Institute. The practice focuses on advanced imaging and minimally invasive techniques particularly suited to specific fibroid locations. This minimally invasive treatment is called uterine fibroid embolization.
Fibroids are very common among women, but understanding the different types makes a real difference in how you experience and manage them. The three main types—intramural, subserosal, and submucosal—each affect the body differently and may require tailored approaches.
By recognizing the connection between your symptoms and your fibroid type, you gain valuable insight that can guide your search for appropriate care. For Chicago women seeking uterine fibroid embolization, look no further than Joint Vascular Institute.