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![What are uterine fibroids, and how are they treated?](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_667bdae33c8f2.jpg)
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![What are uterine fibroids, and how are they treated?](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_667beeac4fd04.jpg)
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See Also
See Again
© Shutterstock
0 / 30 Fotos
Uterine fibroids
- Fibroids are common growths that occur on the uterus. Many fibroids don't cause symptoms, but when they do, symptoms can be very painful.
© Shutterstock
1 / 30 Fotos
Uterine fibroids
- Fibroids are made of muscle and tissue, and can cause heavy menstrual bleeding, the need to pee frequently, pain during intercourse, and back pain.
© Shutterstock
2 / 30 Fotos
Estrogen
- They are also called leiomyomas or myomas, and their exact cause, despite how common they are, is unknown. It's believed their growth is linked to the hormone estrogen.
© Shutterstock
3 / 30 Fotos
Estrogen
- Obese women tend to have more frequent occurrences of uterine fibroids. When someone is overweight, there are higher levels of estrogen in the body.
© Shutterstock
4 / 30 Fotos
Presentation
- Fibroids generally appear in women between the ages of 30-40. They are believed to be present in around 70% of white women and more than 80% of black women by age 50.
© Shutterstock
5 / 30 Fotos
Presentation
- Fibroids can be as small in size as a seed, or as large in size as a watermelon. They can grow alone or in clusters, within the wall, the main cavity, or on the outer surface of the uterus.
© Shutterstock
6 / 30 Fotos
Types of fibroids
- There are different types of fibroids. Some hang inside or outside of the uterus via a stem of tissue.
© Shutterstock
7 / 30 Fotos
Intramural fibroids
- Intramural fibroids are the most common form of fibroid. They grow and develop in the muscular wall of the uterus, becoming embedded.
© Shutterstock
8 / 30 Fotos
Subserosal fibroids
- A subserosal fibroid grows under the lining of the outer surface of the uterus, which can become quite large and extend into the pelvis.
© Shutterstock
9 / 30 Fotos
Submucosal fibroids
- A submucosal fibroid develops in the muscle layer beneath the womb's inner lining. They can grow into the cavity of the womb.
© Shutterstock
10 / 30 Fotos
Pedunculated fibroids
- Pedunculated fibroids are complex, and the least common type. They are connected to the womb with a stalk, and are sometimes known as mushroom fibroids.
© Shutterstock
11 / 30 Fotos
Range of symptoms
- The location, size, type, and number of fibroids you have will influence the symptoms experienced, ranging from none at all to more severe.
© Shutterstock
12 / 30 Fotos
Bloating and extended abdomen
- Fibroids can cause a feeling of fullness in the abdomen, that leads to bloating or even an enlarged belly that looks pregnant.
© Shutterstock
13 / 30 Fotos
Heavy bleeding
- Other signs that you have a fibroid include bleeding between periods, excessive bleeding during your period, painful bleeding, and lower back pain.
© Shutterstock
14 / 30 Fotos
Bowel and urinary issues
- An inability to completely empty the bladder, constipation, and chronic vaginal discharge are also symptoms associated with fibroids.
© Shutterstock
15 / 30 Fotos
Anemia
- The heavy or excessive bleeding caused by large fibroids can lead to anemia, with symptoms of extreme fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, pale skin, and cold hands and feet.
© Shutterstock
16 / 30 Fotos
Fibroid death
- If a fibroid outgrows its own blood supply and begins to die inside the body, it can cause the onset of sudden, severe pain.
© Shutterstock
17 / 30 Fotos
Quality of life
- The pain caused by fibroids can seriously impact a woman's quality of life, and affect fertility. Fibroids are the most common reason for hysterectomies in the US.
© Shutterstock
18 / 30 Fotos
Diagnosis
- Fibroids are typically diagnosed by pelvic or vaginal ultrasound scan. You could need a hysteroscopy, where a thin telescope examines inside the uterus, or laparoscopy (keyhole surgery), where a thin telescope is inserted to look at the reproductive organs.
© Shutterstock
19 / 30 Fotos
Diagnosis
- On average, it takes around four years after the onset of symptoms to receive a diagnosis. Several years more might pass between diagnosis and treatment.
© Shutterstock
20 / 30 Fotos
When to see a doctor
- If you experience a sharp pain that comes on quickly, or you experience extremely heavy bleeding from the vagina, see a doctor immediately.
© Shutterstock
21 / 30 Fotos
Risk factors
- Having a family history of fibroids, early onset periods, a late age of menopause, not having children, being low in vitamin D, drinking alcohol, and having a diet rich in red meat are risk factors. Black people have more fibroids, and tend to develop them at a younger age, than white people.
© Shutterstock
22 / 30 Fotos
Menopause
- It's unlikely one will develop fibroids after menopause. This is because the levels of hormones believed to be responsible for fibroid growth (estrogen and progesterone) drop. Existing fibroids may shrink upon menopause.
© Shutterstock
23 / 30 Fotos
Treatment
- An approach of "watchful waiting" is usually advised where symptoms aren't bothersome, and the patient is not suffering other complications due to the presence of a fibroid(s).
© Shutterstock
24 / 30 Fotos
Treatment
- Medicine and hormone treatments can be administered to patients to help shrink the size of their fibroid, to treat symptoms.
© Shutterstock
25 / 30 Fotos
Medicines and hormones
- These treatments can include the use of targeted medicines, implants, or the insertion of intra-uterine devices. The types of treatments offered will vary depending on the age of the patient, their desire to get pregnant in the future, and the size and number of fibroids present.
© Shutterstock
26 / 30 Fotos
Surgery and procedures
- Procedures such as high-intensity focused ultrasound treatment use ultrasound waves to shrink fibroids. Uterine artery embolization reduces the size of the fibroids by blocking their blood supply.
© Shutterstock
27 / 30 Fotos
Surgery and procedures
- Surgical removal of fibroids is called a myomectomy. A hysterectomy (removal of the uterus) may be an option for those who don't want children, or others who have completed their family.
© Shutterstock
28 / 30 Fotos
Prevention
- There is no known way to prevent uterine fibroids. Certain lifestyle factors have been suggested to help with prevention though, such as eating a diet rich in cruciferous vegetables, exercising, and not consuming too much sugar. However, more research is needed. Sources: (National Geographic) (NHS) (WebMD) (Cleveland Clinic) (Healthline) (Healthdirect) (Mayo Clinic) See also: From sclerosis to appendicitis—Diseases doctors often get wrong
© Shutterstock
29 / 30 Fotos
© Shutterstock
0 / 30 Fotos
Uterine fibroids
- Fibroids are common growths that occur on the uterus. Many fibroids don't cause symptoms, but when they do, symptoms can be very painful.
© Shutterstock
1 / 30 Fotos
Uterine fibroids
- Fibroids are made of muscle and tissue, and can cause heavy menstrual bleeding, the need to pee frequently, pain during intercourse, and back pain.
© Shutterstock
2 / 30 Fotos
Estrogen
- They are also called leiomyomas or myomas, and their exact cause, despite how common they are, is unknown. It's believed their growth is linked to the hormone estrogen.
© Shutterstock
3 / 30 Fotos
Estrogen
- Obese women tend to have more frequent occurrences of uterine fibroids. When someone is overweight, there are higher levels of estrogen in the body.
© Shutterstock
4 / 30 Fotos
Presentation
- Fibroids generally appear in women between the ages of 30-40. They are believed to be present in around 70% of white women and more than 80% of black women by age 50.
© Shutterstock
5 / 30 Fotos
Presentation
- Fibroids can be as small in size as a seed, or as large in size as a watermelon. They can grow alone or in clusters, within the wall, the main cavity, or on the outer surface of the uterus.
© Shutterstock
6 / 30 Fotos
Types of fibroids
- There are different types of fibroids. Some hang inside or outside of the uterus via a stem of tissue.
© Shutterstock
7 / 30 Fotos
Intramural fibroids
- Intramural fibroids are the most common form of fibroid. They grow and develop in the muscular wall of the uterus, becoming embedded.
© Shutterstock
8 / 30 Fotos
Subserosal fibroids
- A subserosal fibroid grows under the lining of the outer surface of the uterus, which can become quite large and extend into the pelvis.
© Shutterstock
9 / 30 Fotos
Submucosal fibroids
- A submucosal fibroid develops in the muscle layer beneath the womb's inner lining. They can grow into the cavity of the womb.
© Shutterstock
10 / 30 Fotos
Pedunculated fibroids
- Pedunculated fibroids are complex, and the least common type. They are connected to the womb with a stalk, and are sometimes known as mushroom fibroids.
© Shutterstock
11 / 30 Fotos
Range of symptoms
- The location, size, type, and number of fibroids you have will influence the symptoms experienced, ranging from none at all to more severe.
© Shutterstock
12 / 30 Fotos
Bloating and extended abdomen
- Fibroids can cause a feeling of fullness in the abdomen, that leads to bloating or even an enlarged belly that looks pregnant.
© Shutterstock
13 / 30 Fotos
Heavy bleeding
- Other signs that you have a fibroid include bleeding between periods, excessive bleeding during your period, painful bleeding, and lower back pain.
© Shutterstock
14 / 30 Fotos
Bowel and urinary issues
- An inability to completely empty the bladder, constipation, and chronic vaginal discharge are also symptoms associated with fibroids.
© Shutterstock
15 / 30 Fotos
Anemia
- The heavy or excessive bleeding caused by large fibroids can lead to anemia, with symptoms of extreme fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, pale skin, and cold hands and feet.
© Shutterstock
16 / 30 Fotos
Fibroid death
- If a fibroid outgrows its own blood supply and begins to die inside the body, it can cause the onset of sudden, severe pain.
© Shutterstock
17 / 30 Fotos
Quality of life
- The pain caused by fibroids can seriously impact a woman's quality of life, and affect fertility. Fibroids are the most common reason for hysterectomies in the US.
© Shutterstock
18 / 30 Fotos
Diagnosis
- Fibroids are typically diagnosed by pelvic or vaginal ultrasound scan. You could need a hysteroscopy, where a thin telescope examines inside the uterus, or laparoscopy (keyhole surgery), where a thin telescope is inserted to look at the reproductive organs.
© Shutterstock
19 / 30 Fotos
Diagnosis
- On average, it takes around four years after the onset of symptoms to receive a diagnosis. Several years more might pass between diagnosis and treatment.
© Shutterstock
20 / 30 Fotos
When to see a doctor
- If you experience a sharp pain that comes on quickly, or you experience extremely heavy bleeding from the vagina, see a doctor immediately.
© Shutterstock
21 / 30 Fotos
Risk factors
- Having a family history of fibroids, early onset periods, a late age of menopause, not having children, being low in vitamin D, drinking alcohol, and having a diet rich in red meat are risk factors. Black people have more fibroids, and tend to develop them at a younger age, than white people.
© Shutterstock
22 / 30 Fotos
Menopause
- It's unlikely one will develop fibroids after menopause. This is because the levels of hormones believed to be responsible for fibroid growth (estrogen and progesterone) drop. Existing fibroids may shrink upon menopause.
© Shutterstock
23 / 30 Fotos
Treatment
- An approach of "watchful waiting" is usually advised where symptoms aren't bothersome, and the patient is not suffering other complications due to the presence of a fibroid(s).
© Shutterstock
24 / 30 Fotos
Treatment
- Medicine and hormone treatments can be administered to patients to help shrink the size of their fibroid, to treat symptoms.
© Shutterstock
25 / 30 Fotos
Medicines and hormones
- These treatments can include the use of targeted medicines, implants, or the insertion of intra-uterine devices. The types of treatments offered will vary depending on the age of the patient, their desire to get pregnant in the future, and the size and number of fibroids present.
© Shutterstock
26 / 30 Fotos
Surgery and procedures
- Procedures such as high-intensity focused ultrasound treatment use ultrasound waves to shrink fibroids. Uterine artery embolization reduces the size of the fibroids by blocking their blood supply.
© Shutterstock
27 / 30 Fotos
Surgery and procedures
- Surgical removal of fibroids is called a myomectomy. A hysterectomy (removal of the uterus) may be an option for those who don't want children, or others who have completed their family.
© Shutterstock
28 / 30 Fotos
Prevention
- There is no known way to prevent uterine fibroids. Certain lifestyle factors have been suggested to help with prevention though, such as eating a diet rich in cruciferous vegetables, exercising, and not consuming too much sugar. However, more research is needed. Sources: (National Geographic) (NHS) (WebMD) (Cleveland Clinic) (Healthline) (Healthdirect) (Mayo Clinic) See also: From sclerosis to appendicitis—Diseases doctors often get wrong
© Shutterstock
29 / 30 Fotos
What are uterine fibroids, and how are they treated?
Around one in three women are estimated to have them
© Shutterstock
Although non-cancerous, uterine fibroids can cause many women concern. These tumors grow in and on the womb, and while many smaller ones don't cause symptoms, larger fibroids often cause severe pain and discomfort, requiring treatment. There are numerous risk factors for developing fibroids, and in truth not a lot is understood about why they appear in the first place. However, there are also a number of ways to treat them, if you have one (or more) that's disrupting your life.
Curious? Click on to discover what exactly uterine fibroids are, and how they can be treated.
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