Cara Maria Sorbello, MTV’s The Challenge star, is back for season 40, Battle of the Eras. However, fans might be surprised that the two-time champion’s toughest opponent wasn’t on a set – it was fibroids.
Fibroids are common growths or tumors of the uterus that usually appear during a woman’s childbearing years. Even though fibroid tumors are not cancerous, there are other important reasons to treat them: to resolve pain. While many women experience painful symptoms, others, like Sorbello, discover they have fibroids by accident. Approximately 80 percent of females will have fibroids in their lifetime. Check out if you are at risk with our fibroid symptom checker:
WATCH CARA’S RACE TO FIND FIBROID RELIEF:
Episode One: Why I Considered Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE)
By the time Sorbello was diagnosed with a 16 cm fibroid, her belly was the size of a 4-month pregnancy. When the treatment recommendation didn’t feel right for her, the athlete began her sprint to find a minimally invasive procedure that offered” winning” outcomes.
Episode Two: Come With Me to Get a UFE: Cara Maria’s Fibroid Journey
Sorbello sought a second opinion from specialists at USA Fibroid Centers. Through a consultation, she learned UFE offered relief without surgery or hormone therapy.
Episode Three: UFE Recovery: My Honest 6 Month Recap
Sorbello shares how her day-to-day life has changed six months after her uterine fibroid embolization. Learn how UFE impacted her period, pelvic pain, belly size and activities level improved as her fibroid shrinks.
Episode Four: One Year After Uterine Fibroid Embolization
One year after undergoing UFE, Sorbello praises the procedure that has left her with flatter, smoother stomach and improved body image. Sorbello reflects on symptom improvement and what surprised her about how UFE positively impacted her body.
Why Cara Maria Needed Fibroid Treatment
Sorbello’s fibroids were diagnosed unexpectedly when she was having an ultrasound to check on her birth control method. Her physician recommended Lupron mediation for six months, which would throw her into menopause, followed by surgery to rebuild her uterus.Sorbello, 37, wanted to preserve her fertility, so she rejected a hysterectomy, often recommended as fibroid treatment. However, she also felt the treatment she was offered didn’t align with her priorities.
It’s important to note that the size alone does not always correlate directly with the severity of symptoms. Small fibroids may cause significant issues depending on their location, while some large to medium-sized fibroids can impact surrounding organs.
“To any women out there, if you are dealing with fibroids and think that surgery is your only option, please look into uterine fibroid embolization and USA Fibroid Centers.” – Cara Maria Sorbello.
In Cara’s case, treatment became necessary. Larger fibroids, like the 16 centimeter one Cara Maria was diagnosed with, often require medical attention due to the impact they can have on daily life. As fibroids grow, they can press against other organs, distort the shape of the uterus, and lead to complications such as pelvic pressure, bloating, urinary frequency, and pain during intercourse—all of which Cara experienced.
Developing a Treatment Plan
Uterine fibroids come in several different types, classified by their location within the uterus. The type, size, location, and number of growths impact which symptoms you may be experiencing and their severity.
A treatment plan can be made once the fibroids have been diagnosed and the fibroids have been characterized with either an ultrasound and/or an MRI.
UFE is a minimally invasive image-guided procedure that shrinks fibroids by blocking their blood supply. Unlike traditional surgery, UFE preserves the uterus and fertility, making it a desirable option for many women. UFE treatment is an ideal option for women who suffer from fibroids but don’t want to undergo major surgery with a long recovery time.
Learn if UFE is Right For You
Find out if UFE is right for you. If you have uterine fibroids and feel like the symptoms are taking over your life, it may be time to look into treatment.
You may have been told that surgery is your only option, but this is rarely true. Book a consultation at USA Fibroid Centers. Schedule online or call 855.615.2555 to talk with a patient care specialist.
SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION TODAY
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