Overview
Uterine fibroids are the most common tumours of the female genital tract. You might hear them referred to as “fibroids” or by several other names, including leiomyoma, myoma or fibromyoma. Fibroids are non-cancerous (benign) growths that develop in the muscular wall of the uterus. Fibroids do not always cause symptoms. Nevertheless their size and location can lead to problems for some women, including heavy bleeding, pelvic pain, and pressure symptoms (bloating, swelling, urinary frequency). Fibroids may also be associated with infertility.
Uterine fibroids are very common, although often they are very small and cause no problems. From 20-40% of women aged 35 and over have uterine fibroids of a significant size. African-American women are at a higher risk: as many as 50% have fibroids of a significant size.
Fibroids range greatly in size, from very tiny to the size of a cantaloupe melon or larger. In some cases, they can cause the uterus to grow to the size of a five-month pregnancy or more. Fibroids may be located in various parts of the uterus. In most cases, there is more than one fibroid in the uterus. There are three primary types of uterine fibroids.
Symptoms
Most fibroids do not cause symptoms — only 10-20% of women with fibroids ever require treatment. Depending on location, size and number of fibroids, a woman might experience the following:
- Pelvic pain
- Pelvic pressure or heaviness caused by the bulk or weight of the fibroids pressing on nearby structures
- Pain in the back or legs as the fibroids press on nerves that supply the pelvis and legs
- Pain during sexual intercourse
- Bladder pressure leading to a constant urge to urinate
- Pressure on the bowel, leading to constipation and bloating
- Abnormally enlarged abdomen
- Heavy, prolonged menstrual periods and unusual monthly bleeding, sometimes clots. This often leads to anaemia.
Diagnosis
If you have large fibroids, your doctor may suspect this after physically examining you, but most fibroids are diagnosed by ultrasound. In some cases, when planning treatment, the doctor will use MRI to characterise the fibroids and assess their response to therapy.
Treatment
There are a number of treatments available, some of which will preserve your uterus and some of which will not. The treatment you will be prescribed depends on your age and if you are planning to have a baby.
Techniques which preserve your uterus include blocking the blood supply to the uterus through a small artery hole (uterine fibroid embolisation) or removing the fibroid (myomectomy). You may be given hormonal treatments for the fibroids.
Choosing the most appropriate treatment depends on what symptoms you have, the impact of these symptoms on your quality of life, and whether you are trying to have a baby now or in the future.