Fibroids are very common, and medical experts estimate that up to 70% to 80% of women will experience fibroids at least once in their lives. It is difficult to get an exact number because most fibroids are so small or so hard that they never cause problems. Also, fibroids can come and go, so you may have had one and never again.
Most of the time, these benign (non-cancerous) masses cause little or no problem. However, there are cases where uterine fibroids need treatment.
10 facts about fibroids that women should know
The more you know about fibroids and how to detect them, the more your OB/GYN can monitor them or help you determine the best treatment if needed.
1. They are tumors, but not cancer.
Fibroids are noncancerous tumors. They occur when cells multiply excessively and form a rubber-like mass on the muscle tissue of the uterus.
It is also true that the uterus can develop cancer, but these are never called fibroids. So if your doctor says you have fibroids, you can breathe a sigh of relief. In some cases, your doctor may notice a mass that’s cause for concern. In that case, they will order a biopsy, and the results will provide information about whether the tumor is a noncancerous fibroid.
2. You may hear them called different things.
In the medical world, fibroids are also known as:
• Fibroids
• Fibroids
• Smooth muscle tumor
• Fibroids
These four terms all refer to the same thing: noncancerous uterine tumours. So don’t worry if you hear your doctor or nurse use one of these technical terms or if you notice it in your medical records.
3. Your race affects your risk.
Doctors aren’t sure why, but race affects the risk of developing fibroids. For example, black women are three times more likely to develop fibroids than white or Asian women.
Women of African ancestry are also more likely to:
• Get fibroids earlier and later in life
• Hospitalization due to fibroids
• Experience delayed diagnosis and treatment
• Have fibroids that are growing faster and larger than usual
• Need surgical treatment
• Having surgical complications related to fibroids
If you are black or know you have African ancestry, use extreme caution when knowing – and reporting – any symptoms of fibroids to your OB/GYN.
4. Problematic tumors often cause symptoms.
Larger tumors or tumors that grow large enough to affect other pelvic organs often cause symptoms.
The most common symptoms associated with fibroids are:
• Pain or tenderness in the pelvic area unrelated to PMS
• Discomfort or pain during intercourse or sexual penetration
• Unusual bleeding or spotting
• Heavy bleeding, prolonged bleeding, and clotting (more than average) during your period
• Frequent feeling of fullness or bloating
• Pressure on the intestines leading to unusual constipation
• Pressure on the bladder can cause frequent urge to urinate or contribute to urinary incontinence
Never ignore these symptoms. Contact your OB/GYN and let them know what you’re going through. The sooner we diagnose you, the better we can help you now and in the future.
5. They can cause infertility.
Fibroids can also make it difficult for you to conceive or have a full-term baby. Depending on the location of the fibroid, it can affect:
• Notion
• The ability of a fertilized egg to implant in the lining of the uterus
• The shape or size of the uterus, which can cause a miscarriage
This is one of the reasons we recommend scheduling a preconception appointment with us when you’re ready to get pregnant.
We will provide routine screenings so that fibroids can be detected before they cause problems. We’ll also monitor and track your conception, letting you know when to talk to infertility specialists.
6. Fibroids can be the cause of repeated miscarriages.
Most often, repeated miscarriages are a sign of incompatibility at work. For some, it’s poor quality sperm or eggs. It usually indicates a chromosomal or genetic abnormality.
However, repeated miscarriages can also be a sign of abnormalities in the uterus – including fibroids that affect implantation, fetal nutrition or fetal development. Fibroid-related miscarriage usually occurs during the first trimester. However, uterine fibroids can also increase a woman’s risk of preterm birth.
7. They can negatively impact every stage of pregnancy.
Miscarriage and preterm birth are two risk factors for uterine fibroids. However, during the second and third trimesters, fibroids can contribute to:
• More pain/discomfort during pregnancy
• Placenta abruption
• Butt figure
8. Hormones affect fibroid growth.
While we’re not 100% sure why some women develop fibroids and others don’t – or why some women develop larger or more complex fibroids – we have identified relationship between fibroid growth and fluctuations in reproductive hormones.
Women are more likely to develop fibroids during their childbearing years – and between the ages of 30 and 50. This is because they tend to grow and shrink in proportion to estrogen and progesterone levels. For this reason, women who become pregnant while they have fibroids may have fibroids that grow along with an increase in pregnancy hormones.
9. Lifestyle choices reduce the risk of fibroids.
There is a link between race and fibroids, and genetics also play a role. However, most studies conclude that women are more likely to develop fibroids when they:
• Overweight or obese
• Drink more than one alcoholic beverage per day
• Eat a diet high in red meat and with little emphasis on vegetables and fruits
If race, genetics, or personal history of uterine fibroids make you more susceptible to it, it’s important to manage your weight, make healthy lifestyle choices, and focus on a plant-based diet. may be useful.
10. Fibroids are treatable in most cases (when needed)
If fibroids don’t cause any problems or affect the landscape inside the uterus, you don’t need treatment. We can discuss treatment options if they cause symptoms, are painful, or affect fertility or a healthy pregnancy.
Currently, embolization is the safest and least risky option for treating fibroids. This cuts off their blood supply, so they contract and are absorbed by the body. However, if the tumor is too large or causes problems beyond the norm, we may recommend surgery. This may include removal of the tumor (myostomy – leaving the uterus intact) or a hysterectomy (where we remove the uterus completely).
Talk to the Women’s Health Association about your fibroids
Do you suspect you have uterine fibroids? Or do you have a history of fibroids and want to discuss your treatment options? Schedule an appointment with the Women’s Health Association to discuss important information about fibroids and the safest, least invasive ways to treat them.
