About Uterine Fibroids
Get everything you need to know about uterine fibroids at The Sisterhood Health Forums! Here’s an overview to get you started.
Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous growths of the uterus, which are very common in women 30 to 40 years old. You can have fibroids on the inside, on the outside or in the wall of your uterus. Your doctor may also call them fibroid tumors, leiomyomas, or myomas.
Fibroids range in size from smaller than is detectable with the human eye, to large masses that can enlarge the uterus. They can be single or multiple, in extreme cases expanding the uterus into the rib cage.
While many women never experience symptoms associated with uterine fibroids, some signs and symptoms include:
- Heavy menstrual bleeding
- Prolonged menstrual periods or bleeding between periods
- Pelvic pressure or pain
- Urinary incontinence or frequent urination
- Constipation
- Backache or leg pain
Causes
The exact cause of uterine fibroids is unknown, but some suspected causes include:
- Genetic alterations. Many fibroids contain altered uterine muscle cell genes.
- Hormones. Estrogen and progesterone appear to promote the growth of fibroids.
- Other chemicals. Substances that help the body maintain tissues can impact fibroid growth.
Treatment
Many treatment options exist, ranging from watchful waiting to surgical procedures.
- Medications for uterine fibroids target hormones like estrogen and progesterone that regulate your menstrual cycle. This treatment can reduce symptoms such as heavy menstrual bleeding and pelvic pressure. They don’t eliminate fibroids, but may shrink them.
- Uterine artery embolization involves the injection of small particles into the arteries supplying the uterus to cut off blood flow to fibroids. This technique shrinks fibroids and relieves the symptoms they can cause.
- Surgical options range from minimally invasive to open abdominal procedures. Common procedures include:
- Myomectomy: Removal of fibroid tissue from the pelvic area and uterus using laparoscopic or open abdominal surgical techniques.
- Hysterectomy: Complete removal of the uterus using laparoscopic or open abdominal surgical techniques.
- Endometrial ablation: This procedure uses heat to destroy the lining of the uterus, which can stop menstruation or reduce menstrual flow.
- Focused ultrasound: Performed while you’re inside of a MRI scanner, this procedure allows doctors to locate and destroy fibroids without making an incision. Focused high frequency, high-energy sound waves are used to destroy the fibroids.
Always remember that anytime your body starts to behave in ways that you find unusual, you should see a health-care professional.
An initial evaluation by your doctor should include, at a minimum, an assessment of the symptoms and a physical examination, including a pelvic exam. Your doctor may send you to have an ultrasound or another type of test to obtain pictures of your uterus. Blood tests may also be included in an evaluation for fibroids. The Sisterhood Health Forum can help you prepare for your doctor’s appointment by educating you about potential problems and related solutions.
Prevention
There is no known method of preventing uterine fibroids, but it’s believed that regular exercise can help.
Note: Some data obtained from WebMD.com & MayoClinic.com