Uterine fibroids are the most common, non-cancerous tumors in women of childbearing age. The fibroids are made of muscle cells and other tissues that grow within and around the wall of the uterus.   See the diagram that shows where uterine fibroids may grow.

There are several risk factors for uterine fibroids:

  • African American woman are at three- to five-times greater risk than white women for fibroids.
  • Women who are overweight or obese for their height are at greater risk.
  • Women who have given birth are a lower risk.

Many women with uterine fibroids have no symptoms. Symptoms of uterine fibroids can 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

Most women with fibroids do not have problems with fertility and can get pregnant. However, some women with fibroids may not be able to get pregnant naturally,  but advances in treatments for infertility may help some of these women get pregnant.

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 treatment which includes medication and/or surgery.   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.

For more details about treatments for fibroids, see the free booklet from the NICHD.

In addition, if you have fibroids and need support, the Fibroids Project is a one-stop shop for women with uterine fibroids created by a women with who has been there.

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Comments

Uterine fibroids can be very painful and the majority of women that I know have had to have surgery in order to be totally pain free. I have tried various herbs for a more holistic remedy but they provided no relief at all.

Thank you for the research that went in to this article for fibroid. I am now studying the surgical approach as method of treatment.

Fibroids are very rarely life threatening and doctors prefer not to treat them unless absolutely necessary as surgery can be risky, and drug treatment can have unpleasant side effects. In addition, the only form of surgery which prevents uterine fibroids returning is a hysterectomy.