8 Facts About Uterine Fibroids You Need to Know

Fibroids are benign overgrowth that can develop in your uterus. This condition affects many women during their reproductive years around the world. They can range in size from a small seed to a grapefruit. In severe cases, you may have multiple fibroids that can even add weight and worsen the quality of your life.  

Even though this condition is very common, it's surrounded by many misconceptions and myths. Below, you can find 8 facts about uterine fibroids that you need to know. 

1. Fibroids Symptoms

Small fibroids may go without any symptoms for many years. You may not know about them until a pelvic ultrasound is performed. However, bigger fibroids or their overgrowth in your uterus may cause unpleasant symptoms like frequent urination, abdominal bloating, heavy menstrual bleeding, and pelvic pain. When fibroids put pressure on your lower back, you may experience constipation and back pain. 

2. Fibroids Causes

There is no one-size answer to what causes fibroids. Most doctors believe that the development of uterine fibroids is associated with estrogen levels. Most fibroids develop during pregnancy when the production of estrogen rapidly increases. The fibroids tend to disappear or shrink during menopause when the production of estrogen stops. 

3. Fibroids Risk Factors

The biggest risk factor for fibroids is a family history of this condition. Genetics plays a key role in the development of uterine fibroids. For this reason, if any of your family members have uterine fibroids, you need to be attentive and get your uterus checked for abnormal overgrowth. Other common risk factors for fibroids include obesity and a diet high in red meat. If you are an African-American woman, you also have a bit higher risk of developing uterine fibroids. 

4. Fibroids and Cancer

In the vast majority of cases, fibroids are benign. There are cancerous fibroids called liposarcoma, but doctors don’t believe that common fibroids may turn cancerous. Cancerous fibroids often develop in women after menopause. For this reason, common uterine fibroids don’t increase your risk of uterine cancer or liposarcoma. 

5. Fibroids During Pregnancy

Due to high estrogen levels, women often develop fibroids during pregnancy. But most pregnant women don't experience any complications associated with fibroids. Some of the rare problems that pregnant women with fibroids might experience include breech birth, placenta separation, need for the cesarean section, and preterm delivery. But these are rare complications so pregnant women with fibroids don’t even require any special care. 

6. Fibroids Diagnosis

To diagnose uterine fibroids your doctor needs to perform a pelvic exam or ultrasound. If there are any concerns about cancer, your gynecologist may suggest a biopsy. Another test that may be needed is a hysterosalpingogram. This procedure allows your doctor to view inside your uterus to check fibroids.

7. Fibroids Treatment

Most women with fibroids don’t require treatment or additional care. But treatment depends on your symptoms. If you experience severe symptoms associated with uterine fibroids, your gynecologist may suggest fibroids treatment. In cases when fibroids cause pain, the doctor can prescribe over-the-counter pain medications. Progestin-releasing intrauterine devices can help relieve heavy menstrual bleeding. 

For more severe cases, your doctor can suggest minimally invasive procedures. These include sound waves to destroy fibroid tissues or laparoscopic procedures. During the laparoscopic procedure, the doctor uses freezing or electrical currents to destroy fibroids. 

8. Surgery

If your fibroids become large enough to cause pressure on the nearby organs and put you at risk of other health problems, your doctor can recommend surgery to remove them. Traditional surgeries to remove fibroids include abdominal myomectomy and hysterectomy. Performing a hysterectomy ends your ability to bear children. For this reason, most women of reproductive age prefer an abdominal myomectomy.