Fibroids
What is fibroids?
Fibroids are tumors or lumps made of muscle cells and other tissue that grow within the wall of the uterus. Fibroids may grow as a single tumor or in clusters. A single fibroids can be less than one inch in size or can grow to eight inches across or more. A bunch or cluster of fibroids can also vary in size.
What are the symptoms of uterine fibroids?
Many women don’t feel any symptoms with uterine fibroids. But fibroids can cause the following symptoms:
- Heavy bleeding or painful periods
- Bleeding between periods
- Feeling “full” in the lower abdomen—sometimes called “pelvic pressure”
- Urinating often (results from a fibroid pressing on the bladder)
- Pain during sex
- Lower back pain
- Reproductive problems, such as infertility, multiple miscarriages, and early onset of labor during pregnancy.
Currently, we know little about what causes uterine fibroids. Scientists have a number of theories, but none of these ideas explains fibroids completely. Most likely, fibroids are the end result of many factors interacting with each other. These factors could be genetic, hormonal, environmental, or a combination of all three. Once we know the cause or causes of fibroids, our efforts to find a cure or even prevent fibroids will move ahead more quickly.
What are the treatments for fibroids?
If you have uterine fibroids, but show no symptoms, you many not need any treatment. Women who have pain and other symptoms might benefit from these treatments:
Medications can offer relief from the symptoms of fibroids and even slow or stop their growth. But, once you stop taking the medicine, the fibroids often grow back.
There are several types of fibroid surgery:
- Myomectomy – Removes only the fibroids and leaves the healthy areas of the uterus in place
- Uterine Artery Embolization (UAE) – Cuts off the blood supply to the uterus and fibroids, making them shrink
- Hysterectomy - A more major procedure that removes the uterus; this type of surgery is the only sure way to cure fibroids.
Credit: National Institute of Health.