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Uterine Fibroids

Also called: Fibroids, Uterine leiomyomata

Uterine fibroids are the most common benign tumors in women of childbearing age. Fibroids are made of muscle cells and other tissues that grow in and around the wall of the uterus, or womb. The cause of fibroids is unknown. Risk factors include being African American or being overweight.

Many women with fibroids have no symptoms. If you do have symptoms, they may include

  • Heavy or painful periods or bleeding between periods
  • Feeling "full" in the lower abdomen
  • Urinating often
  • Pain during sex
  • Lower back pain
  • Reproductive problems, such as infertility, multiple miscarriages or early labor

Your health care provider may find fibroids during a gynecological exam or by using imaging tests. Treatment includes drugs that can slow or stop their growth, or surgery. If you have no symptoms, you may not even need treatment. Many women with fibroids can get pregnant naturally. For those who cannot, infertility treatments may help.

NIH: National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

Symptoms of Uterine Fibroids

The following features are indicative of Uterine Fibroids:
  • heavy menstrual bleeding
  • menstrual periods lasting more than a week
  • pelvic pressure or pain
  • frequent urination
  • difficulty emptying the bladder
  • constipation
  • backache or leg pains
It is possible that Uterine Fibroids shows no physical symptoms and still is present in a patient.

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Common Causes of Uterine Fibroids

The following are the most common causes of Uterine Fibroids:
  • genetic mutation
  • excess release of estrogen hormones
  • excess release of progesterone hormones
  • insulin-like growth factor

Risk Factors for Uterine Fibroids

The following factors may increase the likelihood of Uterine Fibroids:
  • hereditary
  • black women
  • environmental factors
  • onset of menstruation at an early age
  • use of birth control
  • obesity

Prevention of Uterine Fibroids

Yes, it may be possible to prevent Uterine Fibroids. Prevention may be possible by doing the following:
  • making healthy lifestyle choices
  • maintaining a normal weight
  • eating fruits and vegetables

Occurrence of Uterine Fibroids

Number of Cases

The following are the number of Uterine Fibroids cases seen each year worldwide:
  • Very common > 10 Million cases

Common Age Group

Uterine Fibroids most commonly occurs in the following age group:
  • Aged > 50 years

Common Gender

Uterine Fibroids most commonly occurs in the following gender:
  • Female

Lab Tests and Procedures for Diagnosis of Uterine Fibroids

The following lab tests and procedures are used to detect Uterine Fibroids:
  • Ultrasound: To get picture of uterus
  • Complete blood count (CBC): To investigate the potential cause of the disease
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): To test the size and location of fibroids
  • Hysterosalpingography: To highlight the uterine cavity and fallopian tubes on X-ray images

Doctor for Diagnosis of Uterine Fibroids

Patients should visit the following specialists if they have symptoms of Uterine Fibroids:
  • General Surgeon
  • Obstetrician
  • Gynecologist

Complications of Uterine Fibroids if untreated

Yes, Uterine Fibroids causes complications if it is not treated. Below is the list of complications and problems that may arise if Uterine Fibroids is left untreated:
  • anemia from heavy blood loss

Procedures for Treatment of Uterine Fibroids

The following procedures are used to treat Uterine Fibroids:
  • MRI-guided focused ultrasound surgery: Heat and destroy small areas of fibroid tissue by using sound waves
  • Uterine artery embolization: Shrink the fibroids and relieving the symptoms they cause
  • Myolysis: Destroys the fibroids and shrinks the blood vessels that feed them
  • Laparoscopic or robotic myomectomy: Removal of fibroids from your uterus
  • Hysteroscopic myomectomy: Removal of fibroids
  • Endometrial ablation: Destroy the lining of your uterus to reduce the menstrual flow
  • Abdominal myomectomy: Removal of the fibroids

Self-care for Uterine Fibroids

The following self-care actions or lifestyle changes may help in the treatment or management of Uterine Fibroids:
  • Maintain healthy lifestyle: Reduces chances of formation of fibroids
  • Keep weight under control: Reduces the chances of getting problem

Alternative Medicine for Treatment of Uterine Fibroids

The following alternate medicine and therapies are known to help in the treatment or management of Uterine Fibroids:
  • Use black cohosh supplements: Helps treating uterine conditions

Time for Treatment of Uterine Fibroids

While time-period of treatment for each patient may vary, below is the typical time-period for Uterine Fibroids to resolve if treated properly under an expert supervision:
  • More than 1 year

Last updated date

This page was last updated on 6/18/2020.
This page provides information for Uterine Fibroids.
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