Get the facts about fibroids and the treatment options available.  Read here the 10 most common questions women have about uterine fibroids, and their answers from a trusted resource.

What are uterine fibroids?

Uterine fibroids, or fibroids, are tumors that grow in the wall of a woman’s uterus. The medical term for fibroids is “leiomyoma” (leye-oh-meye-OH-muh). Fibroids are benign (not cancerous). They can grow as a single tumor, or there can be multiple fibroids in the uterus. They can range in size and be as small as a lentil or as big as a volleyball.

What causes fibroids?

It is unclear what causes fibroids, but hormones and genetics play a factor.  Because fibroid development and growth are influenced by estrogen and progesterone (female hormones), they tend to occur in women during their child-bearing years, and may grow during pregnancy when hormones are higher.  After menopause, when estrogen and progesterone levels decline, fibroids generally shrink.

Who gets fibroids?

Fibroids are often found in women in their 30s and 40s. Fibroids are very common, and in fact, it is estimated that as much as 80% of women will develop a fibroid by the age of 50.

• A family history of fibroids can put you at greater risk.
• African-American women are more likely to develop fibroids than white women.
• Women who are overweight are at higher risk of developing fibroids.

Where do fibroids grow?

Fibroids grow in or on the wall of the uterus.  They are classified in the following ways:
submucosal – a fibroid growing into the uterine cavity (inside the womb).
intramural – a fibroid that grows within the muscular wall of the uterus.
subserosal – a fibroid that grows on the outside of the uterus.

What are symptoms of fibroids?

Symptoms of fibroids depend on the size, location and number of fibroids a woman has.  Some women may not experience any symptoms.  Other women may experience the following:

• painful periods, or heavy  or prolonged menstrual bleeding which may then lead to anemia
• pain or pressure in the lower abdomen or pelvis, or lower back pain
• more frequent urination (this is caused by the enlarged uterus causing pressure on the bladder)
• painful intercourse
• enlarged abdomen (this can happen in women who have especially large fibroids)

How do I know if I have a fibroid?

Uterine fibroids can be diagnosed by your physician or medical provider.  If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, or if you are concerned that you may have fibroids, talk to your doctor.  Your doctor will then do an exam to assess the size and shape of your uterus.  They may order blood tests if they think you may have anemia.  Then, your doctor may send you for a pelvic ultrasound, a pelvic MRI or a hysterosalpingogram to visualize your uterus.  These imaging tests can confirm the presence of fibroids.

Are fibroids cancerous?

Fibroids are almost always benign, or not cancerous.  Patients and doctors choose to treat fibroids because of their symptoms and not because they pose any future risk of turning into cancer. Fibroids are not a risk factor for developing uterine cancer or other gynecological cancers.

If I have a fibroid, can I get pregnant?

Most women with fibroids are able to conceive without difficulty and go on to have normal pregnancies.  However, fibroids can put women at a slightly increased risk of the following complications:

• bleeding during pregnancy
• abnormal fetal position, or breech position
• miscarriage
• placental abruption
• premature labor
• c-section delivery

Depending on the size, location and number of fibroids,  and underlying medical factors, some women with fibroids may have difficulty conceiving.  A fertility specialist or gynecologist can help assess the problem, and may recommend removing the fibroid prior to conception.

How are fibroids treated?

If your fibroid does not cause bothersome symptoms, it does not require treatment.  But for women who experience significant discomfort or bleeding, a doctor may recommend treatment.  There are a number of treatment options that your doctor may discuss with you.  With any treatment plan, the benefits and risks, possible side effects and long-term outcomes should be discussed.  Here are some of the treatment options for uterine fibroids available:

Medication

• ibuprofen or acetaminophen for pain
• low-dose birth control pills to control bleeding and cramping
• medroxyprogesterone injections (Depo-Provera or Provera) to control bleeding and cramping
• progesterone-releasing IUD (Mirena) to control bleeding and cramping
• Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH) (Lupron) to control bleeding and shrink fibroids

Surgery

• myomectomy – to surgically remove the fibroid
• hysterectomy – to surgically remove the uterus
• endometrial ablation – to remove or destroy the lining of the uterus
• myolysis – to shrink or destroy the fibroid by delivering an electrical current, laser or freezing to the fibroid

Minimally Invasive Procedures

• magnetic resonance guided forced ultrasound – to destroy the fibroid using MRI guided, high frequency sound waves
• uterine fibroid embolization – to destroy the fibroid using interventional radiology techniques, blocking the blood flow to the fibroid

If I get my fibroids treated, will they come back?

Depending on your treatment, it is possible for fibroids to recur, or for new fibroids to develop.  A hysterectomy, where the uterus is surgically removed, is the only treatment option that guarantees fibroids won’t recur.

If you are experiencing symptoms or if you are concerned that you may have fibroids talk to your doctor, or contact us to schedule an evaluation.