Uterine fibroids
Uterine fibroids are lumps that grow on your uterus. They are most common in women in their 30s and 40s, although many women never know they have them. Fibroids are rarely cancerous and don’t need to be treated unless they cause problems.
Causes of uterine fibroids
No one really knows what causes uterine fibroids, but the hormones progesterone and estrogen seem to make them grow. Fibroids usually shrink after menopause when your body makes less progesterone and estrogen.
Symptoms of uterine fibroids
Uterine fibroids may have mild symptoms, or none at all. But some of the signs you might have fibroids include:
- Periods heavier or more painful than usual
- Spotting before or after periods
- A feeling of fullness in your belly
- Pain during sex
- Pain in your lower back or pelvis
- A frequent urge to urinate
- Difficulty becoming pregnant
Diagnosing uterine fibroids
Your doctor may do a pelvic exam or ultrasound to check for fibroids. You might also have a blood test to look for anemia which can be caused by heavy bleeding during your periods.
Treating uterine fibroids
Fibroids usually don’t need treatment unless they’re bothering you. If a blood test shows you have anemia due to excess blood loss during your periods you can:
- Take iron pills
- Eat foods high in iron (such as dark leafy green veggies, red meat, beans, iron-fortified breads and cereals)
- Use medications or hormones to help decrease the amount of bleeding. This can be very effective and potentially avoid the need for surgery.
Surgery is also an option if your symptoms are severe:
- Surgery to remove just the fibroids is called a myomectomy. This procedure safeguards your ability to get pregnant.
- Surgery to remove your uterus and the fibroids is called a hysterectomy. This is the most common and effective surgery for fibroids, but you will not be able to have a baby after this procedure.
- Uterine fibroid embolization is a non-surgical way to shrink fibroids without removing your uterus. This procedure is not recommended if you are planning to have another pregnancy in the future.
Talk with your doctor about a treatment option that’s right for you.