Uterine Fibroids Vs. Endometriosis: Similar Symptoms of Completely Different Conditions
Uterine fibroids Vs. Endometriosis – there is a specific reason why women compare these diseases: they have a lot in common. Nevertheless, it is very important to understand the difference.
Fibroids and endometriosis have similar symptoms.
Both involve abnormally growing tissue.
Uterine fibroids are benign growths that appear on or within uterine walls.
Endometriosis happens when the tissue that is normally found in the uterus extends beyond the uterus and attaches to nearby organs, such as the large intestine or other organs, ovaries or fallopian tubes.
Fibroids Vs. Endometriosis: How These Common Diseases Are Treated Today?
Uterine fibroids and endometriosis are quite common conditions in women of childbearing age. These are two gynecological problems that have similar symptoms and sometimes a common underlying cause.
Endometriosis occurs when abnormal cell division takes place and tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus. Researchers still do not know exactly why it develops, but genetic predisposition, gynecological diseases, hormonal disorders, chronic infections, environmental influences, high stress, and chronic pelvic inflammation may all play a role.
Sometimes uterine fibroids and endometriosis are asymptomatic and do not bother the patient. Then they can be detected only by ultrasound or MRI. That is why it is so necessary to undergo an examination by a gynecologist 1-2 times a year. But in most cases, both diseases manifest themselves with unpleasant symptoms, which are very similar.
Similar Symptoms of Uterine Fibroids and Endometriosis
If you have the following symptoms, you need to consult a doctor to confirm or deny the diagnosis:
- Severe abdominal cramping and shooting pain
- Painful menstruation
- Heavy menstrual bleeding
- Painful sex
- Irregular bowel movements/diarrhea during menses
However, sometimes endometriosis has several distinctive symptoms. It can be characterized by bleeding from the rectum or bladder instead of bleeding through the vagina. Endometriosis can also lead to infertility or difficulties getting pregnant. Much like uterine fibroids, endometriosis can be asymptomatic for a long time and start bothering you in late stages (there are 4 stages). The stages of minimal, mild, moderate, and severe are indicative of how much the endometriosis has spread and has nothing to do with the severity of symptoms.
How Endometriosis and Fibroid Symptoms Can Differ
Symptoms More Often Associated With Endometriosis
Endometriosis pain often follows the menstrual cycle. It may begin before a period and continue during or after it. Other symptoms can include pain with bowel movements or urination, chronic pelvic pain, lower back pain, fatigue, and difficulty becoming pregnant.
Symptoms More Often Associated With Fibroids
Fibroids are more likely to cause pressure symptoms. These may include pelvic heaviness or fullness, bloating, frequent urination, constipation, and pressure in the lower back or legs. Heavy or prolonged periods and bleeding between periods are also common. Learn more about uterine fibroid symptoms.
Can You Have Fibroids and Endometriosis at the Same Time?
Yes. Fibroids and endometriosis can occur together, so symptoms may come from one condition or both. Finding fibroids on an ultrasound does not always explain every episode of pelvic pain. A complete evaluation matters when symptoms continue or do not match the size and location of the fibroids.
Adenomyosis can also cause heavy bleeding and painful periods. It is a separate condition in which tissue similar to the uterine lining grows into the muscle of the uterus. Learn more about adenomyosis and imaging.
What Causes Endometriosis?
There are several theories about why endometrial tissue grows outside of the uterus. Genetics can be one reason; also, endometrial cells could move to the pelvic cavity in other ways, such as during a C-section delivery. Sometimes, hormonal disruptions, weakened immune system, and inflammatory diseases of the female genital organs can be the cause (among other possible reasons). Tissue affected by endometriosis outside the uterus cannot be entirely removed in most cases, which leads to internal bleeding, inflammation of the surrounding areas, and scar tissue growth.
Unlike uterine fibroids, endometriosis can often happen in younger women, even teenage girls after they start having periods. The sooner endometriosis is diagnosed, the sooner the patient will receive timely adequate therapy. This is key to preventing its further progression, and maintaining reproductive health, and quality of life in general.
In the treatment of endometriosis, a combined method is often used – surgery followed by the use of hormonal drugs. Endometriosis is not always an indication of surgery.
As for pregnancy planning, this is determined individually and depends primarily on the scale of the disease.
How Doctors Diagnose Fibroids and Endometriosis
A doctor may begin with a review of your symptoms, menstrual history, pregnancy goals, and a pelvic exam. Fibroids are often visible on an ultrasound scan but an MRI may provide more detail about their number, size, and location.
Endometriosis can be harder to identify and the Ultrasound or MRI may show some forms of the disease, but normal imaging scans sometimes are not able to rule it out. In some cases, a doctor may recommend laparoscopy to look inside the pelvis and confirm the diagnosis. The right approach depends on your symptoms and treatment goals.
Keeping a symptom diary can help your doctor see patterns to better treat the underlying issue. Record when your pain starts, how long bleeding lasts, how often you change period products, and whether bowel or bladder symptoms change during your cycle.
What Are Uterine Fibroids?
Uterine fibroids are nodular benign neoplasm that appears in the muscle layer of the uterus. According to statistics, more than 24% of women suffer from this disease. The disease most often occurs at the age of 30-45 years, but recently it has become significantly “younger” – nodular formations are detected in women 20-30 years old.
The presence of a tumor rarely (in only 1% of cases) leads to cancer, but fibroids often cause infertility or miscarriage. With the onset of menopause, the growth of fibroids often stops.
Fibroid nodes can be single or multiple. Their weight is also different, from a few grams to more than a kilogram. Some fibroids grow rapidly and can reach large sizes, causing symptoms of compression of neighboring organs, others grow slowly, asymptomatically, and are detected by chance during a routine examination.
Sometimes fibroids decrease on their own or simply do not increase, patients have no symptoms, then treatment is not necessary. In other cases, patients require medical attention – Dr. Lipman feels one of the safest and most effective ways to treat uterine fibroids is through a procedure called Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE).
Treatment Options Depend on the Diagnosis
Endometriosis treatment may include pain medication, hormone therapy, surgery, or a combination of treatments. A gynecologist or endometriosis specialist can explain which options fit your symptoms and pregnancy plans.
Fibroid treatment may include monitoring, medication, myomectomy, hysterectomy, or uterine fibroid embolization (UFE). UFE treats fibroids and certain types of adenomyosis, but it does not treat endometriosis.
An interventional radiologist, like Dr. John Lipman at the Atlanta Fibroid Center can review your imaging and your goals to determine whether UFE may be an option for you.
Have you been diagnosed with fibroids but are unsure which treatment path fits your needs? Request an appointment with Atlanta Fibroid Center for an individualized review of your imaging and options.
Remember that if you have uterine fibroids, adenomyosis, or endometriosis, early diagnosis and treatment can help maintain the high quality of your life.
If you have been diagnosed with uterine fibroids, please call Atlanta Fibroid Center at (770) 953-2600 (or make an appointment online).
