Each year, hundreds of thousands of American women undergo treatments and procedures for uterine fibroids. Fibroids are most common among women who have never been pregnant, whose mother or sister had fibroids, and who are very overweight.
Prevalence is higher for African-American women , where in fact, fibroids are two to three times more common. Read on to learn about the symptoms of fibroids, how big fibroids can grow and what may help to slow down their growth. Uterine fibroids are benign non-cancerous tumors that grow in the uterine wall. Uterine fibroids can grow alone or in clusters, and they can be as large as a softball, or so small that they cannot be detected by the human eye. Uterine fibroid symptoms can include:.
Fibroids can grow anywhere in the womb and vary in size considerably. Some can be the size of a pea, whereas others can be the size of a melon. In some cases, subserosal or submucosal fibroids are attached to the womb with a narrow stalk of tissue.
These are known as pedunculated fibroids. Fibroids do not need to be treated if they are not causing symptoms. Over time, they'll often shrink and disappear without treatment, particularly after the menopause.
If you do have symptoms caused by fibroids, medicine to help relieve the symptoms will usually be recommended first. There are also medications available to help shrink fibroids. Call or click to set up an appointment. Learn about the signs of vaginal atrophy and what you can do about it.
Menopausal symptoms such as vaginal dryness, hot flashes, night sweats, and urinary changes are frustratingly common. Learn about how you can get help for your menopause symptoms. Having a well-woman exam is one of the most crucial steps you can take to safeguard your reproductive health and your overall health. Learn about why this annual checkup is so important. Telehealth offers you a simple, effective way to get the preventive and diagnostic care you need in a safe way.
Learn about the many benefits of telehealth, and what you can expect from virtual visits. Are you having trouble reaching orgasm? Vaginal dryness could be to blame. All obstetricians have experience dealing with fibroids and pregnancy. Most women who have fibroids and become pregnant do not need to see an OB who deals with high-risk pregnancies. Your doctor may find that you have fibroids when you see her or him for a regular pelvic exam to check your uterus, ovaries, and vagina.
The doctor can feel the fibroid with her or his fingers during an ordinary pelvic exam, as a usually painless lump or mass on the uterus. Often, a doctor will describe how small or how large the fibroids are by comparing their size to the size your uterus would be if you were pregnant. For example, you may be told that your fibroids have made your uterus the size it would be if you were 16 weeks pregnant.
Or the fibroid might be compared to fruits, nuts, or a ball, such as a grape or an orange, an acorn or a walnut, or a golf ball or a volleyball. Your doctor can do imaging tests to confirm that you have fibroids. These are tests that create a "picture" of the inside of your body without surgery.
These tests might include:. You might also need surgery to know for sure if you have fibroids. There are two types of surgery to do this:. A second opinion is always a good idea if your doctor has not answered your questions completely or does not seem to be meeting your needs. Most women with fibroids do not have any symptoms. For women who do have symptoms, there are treatments that can help. Talk with your doctor about the best way to treat your fibroids.
She or he will consider many things before helping you choose a treatment. Some of these things include:. If you have fibroids but do not have any symptoms, you may not need treatment. Your doctor will check during your regular exams to see if they have grown. If you have fibroids and have mild symptoms, your doctor may suggest taking medication.
Over-the-counter drugs such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen can be used for mild pain. If you have heavy bleeding during your period, taking an iron supplement can keep you from getting anemia or correct it if you already are anemic. Several drugs commonly used for birth control can be prescribed to help control symptoms of fibroids.
Low-dose birth control pills do not make fibroids grow and can help control heavy bleeding. The same is true of progesterone-like injections e. Other drugs used to treat fibroids are "gonadotropin releasing hormone agonists" GnRHa. These drugs, given by injection, nasal spray, or implanted, can shrink your fibroids. Sometimes they are used before surgery to make fibroids easier to remove.
Side effects of GnRHas can include hot flashes, depression, not being able to sleep, decreased sex drive, and joint pain. Most women tolerate GnRHas quite well. Most women do not get a period when taking GnRHas. This can be a big relief to women who have heavy bleeding. It also allows women with anemia to recover to a normal blood count.
GnRHas can cause bone thinning, so their use is generally limited to six months or less. These drugs also are very expensive, and some insurance companies will cover only some or none of the cost.
GnRHas offer temporary relief from the symptoms of fibroids; once you stop taking the drugs, the fibroids often grow back quickly. If you have fibroids with moderate or severe symptoms, surgery may be the best way to treat them. Here are the options:. The following methods are not yet standard treatments, so your doctor may not offer them or health insurance may not cover them. For more information about uterine fibroids, call womenshealth.
Department of Health and Human Services. ET closed on federal holidays. Breadcrumb Home A-Z health topics Uterine fibroids. Uterine fibroids. Uterine fibroids Fibroids are muscular tumors that grow in the wall of the uterus womb. What are fibroids?
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