How Is Fibroids Diagnosed?

Fibroids are commonly found during a routine pelvic exam. Your doctor may feel an irregular pelvic mass in your abdomen, suggesting the presence of uterine fibroids. If you’re a woman experiencing fibroid-related symptoms, you can readily access numerous treatment options, and it’s your best interest to consult a health provider for a confirmed diagnosis. The commonest symptoms of fibroids include bloating, fatigue, menstrual pains or cramping, and pain during sexual intercourse. Other symptoms include:

• Abdominal discomforts or constipation
• Passing blood clots
• Infertility
• Leukorrhea 
• Frequent urinating or trouble urinating

If you are suffering from any symptoms associated with fibroids, your doctor might order the following tests:

Ultrasound Scan

One of the major tests conducted to diagnose fibroids involves ultrasound scans. These are painless scans that utilize probes to produce premium sound waves to generate a detailed image of the internal side of your body.

Two kinds of ultrasound scans are available for the diagnosis of fibroids:

• Abdominal ultrasound: this is where an ultrasound probe is gently moved over the external surface of your tummy or abdomen.

• Transvaginal ultrasound: this involves the insertion of a tiny ultrasound probe into the vaginal canal.

Images generated by these scans are then transmitted to an advanced monitor so that your doctor can carefully monitor the signs and symptoms of fibroids. If it’s established that you have fibroids, you might be referred to a specialist or gynecologist for the following additional tests:

Hysteroscopy

This is where a tiny telescope sometimes referred to as a hysteroscope is carefully inserted into the womb so that the doctor can examine the internal side of the uterus. It just takes about five minutes for the procedure to be completed.

Anesthetics might be utilized in order to minimize the pain accompanying the procedure. Nevertheless, many women don’t require any anesthetics. Some patients experience severe cramping during the performance of this test. Hysteroscopy is often used to identify fibroids affecting the womb.

Laparoscopy

Laparoscopes are small telescopes with a camera and a high-quality light source at one end. It’s meant to relay internal images of the pelvis or abdomen to a televised monitor.

During this process, a surgeon will perform a minor incision in your abdomen. A laparoscope will gradually be passed into your abdomen allowing the abdominal or pelvic organs to be keenly examined. Anesthetics are usually used to induce sleep on the patient during the procedure. Laparoscopy can also be used to diagnose fibroids outside the womb that has severely altered its size or shape.

Laboratory Tests

If you’re experiencing irregular menstrual bleeding, your physician might order other additional tests to inspect potential underlying causes. These may include complete blood count (CBC) checks to establish if you are having anemia, as a result from chronic blood loss, plus other supplementary tests to rule out other bleeding disorders or thyroid-related problems.

Other imaging tests:

• Hysterosonography
• Hysterosalpingography
• Hysteroscopy

If conventional ultrasound tests don’t provide adequate information, your doctor might order supplementary imaging examinations including:

• Magnetic resonance imaging: MRI tests can display the exact size and location of your fibroids while identifying different kinds of tumors. Its results also assist in determining proper treatment options.

• Hysterosalpingography: This procedure uses dyes to exhibit the uterine cavities and fallopian tubes on sophisticated X-ray images. Your physician might suggest it if infertility is the cause of your condition.