Uterine Fibroids
Uterine fibroids are very common—and while some cause no symptoms, others can lead to heavy bleeding, pelvic pressure, and pain, with effective treatment options available at Atlanta Fibroid Center®.
Make An AppointmentOverview of Uterine Fibroids
Uterine fibroids are one of the most common women’s health conditions, and according to the Mayo Clinic, somewhere between 70% and 80% of women will experience fibroids at one time during their lives.
Many women do not even know they have fibroids, and others suffer from severe symptoms that impact their quality of life on an ongoing basis.
The good news is that fibroids can be treated and their symptoms can be relieved or eliminated in many cases. It is important for women to understand what fibroids are, how they grow, and the different treatment options they have available to them.
This page will give you an overview of fibroid basics, so you will be more informed and feel more in control of your gynecological health.
What Are Uterine Fibroids
Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous growths that develop in or on the uterus. They are also medically known as leiomyomas or myomas and are very common in women of childbearing age.
They are made of the same kind of muscle and tissue that the uterus is made of. They can be very small, like a seed, or can grow big enough to stretch the abdomen enough to resemble a ‘baby bump.”
Women can have just one fibroid or several at the same time. They can grow inside the wall of the uterus, stick out from the outside, or press into the inner uterine lining.
What Causes Uterine Fibroids?
Experts still do not have a full understanding of what causes fibroids to develop, but they are aware of conditions that can make their occurrence more likely. Several things can influence their development and growth.
Johns Hopkins Medicine has published research that reports that uterine fibroids are influenced by hormones, and exposure to excess estrogen may increase the risk of developing them.
Fibroids most often develop and grow during the reproductive years, often become larger during pregnancy, and tend to shrink after menopause when your hormone levels drop.
Other things that may increase your risk include:
- Genetics and family history
- Starting your period at a younger age
- Higher body weight
- Diets high in red meat and low in fruits and vegetables
- Vitamin D deficiency
What Are The Symptoms Of Fibroids?
Some women never notice they have fibroids because they do not have any noticeable symptoms. Many other women experience chronic symptoms that can make following their normal routine at home or work almost impossible. The symptoms of fibroids usually depend on their size and location within the uterus and include:
- Heavy or prolonged periods
- Anemia
- Pelvic pain or pressure
- Frequent urination
- Constipation or bloating
- Pain during sex
- Lower back pain
Who Is At Most Risk?
Some women are more at risk for developing uterine fibroids than others, and there are a few things that can raise that risk.
Ethnicity
African American women are about three times more likely to develop fibroids than Caucasian women, and Hispanic women are about twice as likely.
Weight
Carrying excess weight is known to increase estrogen levels, which is linked to fibroid growth. A large meta-analysis of over 300,000 participants found a notable link between obesity and an increased risk in developing fibroids.
Lifestyle habits
Lifestyle habits like your diet and level of physical activity can also influence your risk level.
Where Do Fibroids Grow?
Uterine fibroids are categorized based on their location within the uterus:
- Subserosal fibroids grow on the outer surface of the uterus and can be directly attached to the uterus (sessile) or growing from a stalk (pedunculated). They can press on nearby organs like the bladder or bowel and are often linked to pressure or a bloated feeling in the pelvis.
- Submucosal fibroids grow under the inner lining of the uterus and can push into the uterine cavity. They are more likely to cause heavy bleeding and fertility issues.
- Intramural fibroids are the most common fibroids and grow in the muscle between the uterine cavity and outer covering of the uterus.
- Fibroids that grow in the cervix are often called cervical fibroids and account for 1-2% of the fibroids located in the body of the uterus.
How Fibroids Are Classified
The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics developed the FIGO classification system, which gives each fibroid a number based on its exact position within the uterus. This system uses numbers between 0 and 8 to help doctors determine the symptoms the fibroids are creating and the treatment that will work best.
How Big Do Fibroids Grow?
They can be very tiny or quite large, and the symptoms they cause are often directly linked to their size and location. The size of a fibroid is normally reported in centimeters, and doctors often use common fruits as a reference point.
How Are Fibroids Diagnosed?
They are often detected during a routine pelvic exam or found on an ultrasound during a routine prenatal appointment. The most common ways uterine fibroids are detected include:
- Pelvic exam
- Ultrasound (most common)
- MRI for detailed imaging
- Hysteroscopy or sonohysterography
An MRI is the most reliable and accurate form of imaging for diagnosing fibroids and is detailed enough to show the exact location and size of each fibroid.
Treatment Options for Uterine Fibroids
Watchful waiting
- Best for those with mild or no symptoms and involves ongoing monitoring of the fibroids for any changes.
Medications
- Hormonal birth control
- GnRH medications (can only be used temporarily)
- Non-hormonal options that may provide some symptom relief.
Minimally invasive procedures
- Uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) (90% effective in treating fibroids and reducing symptoms)
- MRI-guided focused ultrasound (only for select candidates)
- Endometrial ablation (for bleeding symptoms only)
Surgical options
- Myomectomy (removes fibroids, keeps the uterus, but can weaken it and require a C-section during future pregnancy)
- Hysterectomy (removes the uterus, causes sterilization, and a higher risk for other serious conditions)
Uterine Fibroid Embolization
Band-Aid Only
Total Incision Length: <1 Inches
Conventional Laparoscopic Surgery
(3-4) 5mm Ports
Total Incision Length: 2 Inches
Robotic Laparoscopic Surgery
(2) 12mm Ports (3) 8mm Ports
Total Incision Length: 2-3 Inches
Open Surgery
Single Long Incision, Horizontally Or Vertically
Total Incision Length: 12 Inches
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Uterine fibroids affect up to 80% of the female population at one time during their lives, with African American women being disproportionately impacted.
No. Fibroids are benign tumors and are not cancerous.
Because experts do not know exactly what causes fibroids, it would be difficult to know what to do to prevent them. There are some lifestyle changes that can be made to reduce the risks of developing fibroids or slowing down how fast they grow.
Yes. It is possible to become pregnant if you have uterine fibroids, and some women learn they have fibroids after they become pregnant. The excess estrogen that is released during early pregnancy can trigger the fibroids to grow larger, which is what causes them to be discovered.
Some fibroids can also inhibit conception or prevent a pregnancy from reaching full term. The majority of women with fibroids who become pregnant do not experience any problems or complications.
Fibroids do not normally go away on their own during childbearing years, but they can gradually shrink as your body begins to reduce the volume of estrogen it is manufacturing.
During perimenopause and menopause they may shrink enough to relieve symptoms, so treatment is not necessary. The use of HRT may cause the continuance of fibroid symptoms, so a treatment like UFE may be a good treatment option.
Yes, depending on the treatment you choose, it is possible for fibroids to come back. After a myomectomy, new fibroids may still gradually develop since it is often difficult for the doctor to eliminate all the fibroids that are present.
With a hysterectomy, fibroids do not return because the uterus is completely removed. Uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) has a lower risk of fibroids coming back, but in some cases, it is still possible for new fibroids to form.
Fibroids can affect fertility in different ways, depending on how big they are and where they are located. In some cases, they may make it harder for a fertilized egg to implant in the uterus. They can also increase the risk of miscarriage or complications during pregnancy, like taking resources needed by the growing baby. Not all fibroids will impact fertility, and many women with fibroids are still able to get pregnant and have healthy full-term pregnancies.
