For many women, fibroids are a part of their life. For treatment of fibroids in Houston, TX you can turn to Dr. Vonne Jones of Total Women's Care of the Heights to provide the personalized care that you require. Dr.Jones is a board-certified gynecologist/obstetrician who believes in treating the total woman not just your symptoms.

What Are Fibroids?

Fibroids are almost always non-cancerous growths in the wall of the uterus that are made of muscular tissue. The more formal medical term for a fibroid is leiomyoma (smooth muscular tumor), or it may be shortened to myoma. They are quite common in premenopausal women and may present as a single tumor or multiple tumors in the uterus. They come in a wide range of sizes from as small as a grain of rice or as large as a grapefruit.

It is estimated that 11 million women suffer from fibroids. The tumors themselves are made up of monoclonal cells arising from the myometrium which is the middle layer of the uterine wall. Studies are underway to determine what gene mutation causes them and some have been identified.

Who Gets Fibroids?

By the age of 50, 80% of black women and 70% of white women will have been diagnosed with fibroids. But, of these women, twice as many black women as white will have symptoms from the fibroids. In addition to the increased risk from being of African descent, women who got their period at a young age, or have a high body mass index are also at increased risk.

Things That Increase the Risk of Fibroids

If your family has a history of fibroids, you are at an increased risk of also suffering. If you are overweight this can also increase your risk. If you eat a lot of red meat, you increase your risk. Aging is one of the biggest risks starting in your 30s. Fibroids are most common in women in their 40s and 50s. Oral contraceptives used before age 16 increase the risk but progestin-only oral contraceptives decrease the risk of developing fibroids.

For many women, fibroids do not disrupt their lives and will shrink or disappear after they go into menopause. For other women, they can disrupt their ability to maintain a normal active life. Your OB/GYN is the best person to consult about your fibroids and the treatments that are available to you.

For information and treatment of fibroids, contact Dr. Jones at Total Women's Care of the Heights in Houston, TX. Don't wait, give the office a call today at (346) 320-3188 for an appointment. Don't suffer patiently alone, help is available.