Uterine Fibroids

Uterine fibroids are benign (non-cancerous) growths in the uterus. They are the most common type of growth found in a woman's pelvis. They occur in about 20-25% of all women. Many women who have fibroids are not aware of them because the growths can remain small and not cause symptoms.

Causes
Fibroids are most common in women aged 30-40, but they can occur at any age. Fibroids occur more often in African-American women than in Caucasian women. They also seem to occur at a younger age in African-American women and to grow more quickly.

Although fibroids are quite common, little is known about what causes them. The female hormone levels of estrogen in the body can rise or fall based on natural events. For instance, pregnancy causes an increase in estrogen and menopause causes a decrease. Medications also may cause a change in estrogen levels.

Symptoms
Most fibroids, even large ones, produce no symptoms at all. When symptoms occur, they often include:

  • Changes in menstruation:
    • More bleeding
    • Longer or more frequent periods
    • Menstrual pain (cramps)
    • Vaginal bleeding at other times other than menstrual
    • Anemia (from blood loss)
  • Pain:
    • In the abdomen or lower back (often dull, heavy aching, but may be sharp)
    • During sex
  • Pressure:
    • Difficulty urinating or frequency urination
    • Constipation, rectal pain, or difficult bowel movement
  • Miscarriages and infertility

These symptoms also may be signs of other problems. Therefore, you should see your doctor if you have any symptoms.

Treatment
Fibroids that do not cause symptoms, are small, or occur in a woman nearing menopause often do not require treatment. Certain signs and symptoms, though, may signal the need for treatment:

  • Heavy or painful menstrual periods
  • Bleeding between periods
  • Uncertainty whether the growth is a fibroid or another type of tumor, such as an ovarian tumor
  • Rapid increase in growth of the fibroid
  • Infertility
  • Pelvic Pain

Fibroids may be removed with mymomectomy or hysterectomy. This choice of treatment depends on factors such as your own wishes and medical advice about the size and location of the fibroid.

For more information on uterine fibroids click here.