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? Why should women know about fibroids? Who gets fibroids?
There are factors that can increase a woman's risk of developing fibroids. Fibroids become more common as women age, especially during the 30s and 40s through menopause. After menopause, fibroids usually shrink. Family history. Having a family member with fibroids increases your risk. If a woman's mother had fibroids, her risk of having them is about three times higher than average.
Ethnic origin. African-American women are more likely to develop fibroids than white women. Women who are overweight are at higher risk for fibroids. For very heavy women, the risk is two to three times greater than average. Eating habits. Eating a lot of red meat e. Eating plenty of green vegetables seems to protect women from developing fibroids. Where can fibroids grow? Doctors put them into three groups based on where they grow: Submucosal sub-myoo-KOH-zuhl fibroids grow into the uterine cavity.
Subserosal sub-suh-ROH-zuhl fibroids grow on the outside of the uterus. What are symptoms of fibroids? Most fibroids do not cause any symptoms, but some women with fibroids can have: Heavy bleeding which can be heavy enough to cause anemia or painful periods Feeling of fullness in the pelvic area lower stomach area Enlargement of the lower abdomen Frequent urination Pain during sex Lower back pain Complications during pregnancy and labor, including a six-time greater risk of cesarean section Reproductive problems, such as infertility , which is very rare.
What causes fibroids? These factors could be: Hormonal affected by estrogen and progesterone levels Genetic runs in families Because no one knows for sure what causes fibroids, we also don't know what causes them to grow or shrink.
Can fibroids turn into cancer? What if I become pregnant and have fibroids? The most common problems seen in women with fibroids are: Cesarean section. The risk of needing a c-section is six times greater for women with fibroids. Baby is breech. The baby is not positioned well for vaginal delivery. Labor fails to progress. Placental abruption. The placenta breaks away from the wall of the uterus before delivery. When this happens, the fetus does not get enough oxygen.
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. If these prove ineffective, surgery or other, less invasive procedures may be recommended.
Page last reviewed: 17 September Next review due: 17 September Fibroids are non-cancerous growths that develop in or around the womb uterus. Many women are unaware they have fibroids because they do not have any symptoms. Women who do have symptoms around 1 in 3 may experience: heavy periods or painful periods tummy abdominal pain lower back pain a frequent need to urinate constipation pain or discomfort during sex In rare cases, further complications caused by fibroids can affect pregnancy or cause infertility.
Kellerman RD, et al. Uterine leiomyomas. In: Conn's Current Therapy American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Accessed May 2, Kaunitz AM. Management of abnormal uterine bleeding.
Accessed May 3, Laparoscopic power morcellators. Food and Drug Administration. Lonnerfors C. Robot-assisted myomectomy. Rochester, Minn. Jarell JF, et al. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada. Warner KJ. Allscripts EPSi. Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. May 2, Stewart EA expert opinion. May 23, Clinical practice. New England Journal of Medicine. Laughlin-Tommaso SK expert opinion. May 29, Laughlin-Tommaso SK.
Alternatives to hysterectomy: Management of uterine fibroids. Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinics of North America. Related Choosing the best treatment for uterine fibroids Fibroid locations Focused ultrasound surgery Heavy menstrual bleeding: 3 tips to sleep better Hysterosalpingography Hysteroscopy I have heavy periods. Should I take an iron pill? Hysterectomy is done when other treatments have not worked or are not possible or the fibroids are very large. A woman is no longer able to have children after having a hysterectomy.
Anemia : Abnormally low levels of red blood cells in the bloodstream. Most cases are caused by iron deficiency lack of iron.
Hysterosalpingography : A special X-ray procedure in which a small amount of fluid is placed in the uterus and fallopian tubes to find abnormal changes or see if the tubes are blocked. Hysteroscopy : A procedure in which a lighted telescope is inserted into the uterus through the cervix to view the inside of the uterus or perform surgery. Intrauterine Device IUD : A small device that is inserted and left inside the uterus to prevent pregnancy. Laparoscopy : A surgical procedure in which a thin, lighted telescope called a laparoscope is inserted through a small incision cut in the abdomen.
The laparoscope is used to view the pelvic organs. Other instruments can be used with it to perform surgery. Menstruation : The monthly shedding of blood and tissue from the uterus that happens when a woman is not pregnant.
Menopause is confirmed after 1 year of no periods. Progestin : A synthetic form of progesterone that is similar to the hormone made naturally by the body.
Resectoscope : A slender telescope with an electrical wire loop or roller-ball tip used to remove or destroy tissue. Sonohysterography : A procedure in which sterile fluid is injected into the uterus through the cervix while ultrasound images are taken of the inside of the uterus.
Ultrasonography : A test in which sound waves are used to examine inner parts of the body. During pregnancy, ultrasonography can be used to check the fetus. Uterus : A muscular organ in the female pelvis. During pregnancy this organ holds and nourishes the fetus. Copyright by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. All rights reserved. Read copyright and permissions information. This information is designed as an educational aid for the public.
It offers current information and opinions related to women's health. It is not intended as a statement of the standard of care.
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