Uterine fibroids are a common condition that affects many women during their reproductive years. These growths are made of smooth muscle cells and fibrous connective tissue that develop in the uterus and can appear alone or in groups. They range in size from as small as a grain of rice to as big as a melon. In this article, we will explore what uterine fibroids are, their causes, symptoms, and treatment options.

Overview

Uterine fibroids, also known as leiomyomas or myomas, are noncancerous tumors that grow in or on the uterus. They are almost always benign and are not linked with a higher risk of other types of cancer in the uterus. Fibroids vary in number and size, and you can have a single fibroid or more than one. Some of these growths are too small to see with the eyes, while others can grow to the size of a grapefruit or larger.

Causes of Uterine Fibroids

The exact cause of uterine fibroids is not clear, but several factors may play a role:

• Hormones: Two hormones called estrogen and progesterone cause the tissue that lines the inside of the uterus to thicken during each menstrual cycle. Fibroids seem to be influenced by these hormones, as they tend to grow during pregnancy when hormone levels are high and shrink after menopause when hormone levels decrease.
• Genetics: Many fibroids contain changes in genes that differ from those in typical uterine muscle cells. Fibroids may run in families, and some women may be more likely to develop them if their mother or sister has had them.
• Other factors: Other factors that may contribute to the development of fibroids include obesity, a diet high in red meat and low in green vegetables, and early onset of menstruation.

Symptoms of Uterine Fibroids

Many people who have uterine fibroids don’t have any symptoms, and in those who do, symptoms can be influenced by the location, size, and number of fibroids. The most common symptoms of uterine fibroids include:

• Heavy menstrual bleeding or painful periods: Fibroids can cause heavy, prolonged, and painful periods.
• Longer or more frequent periods: Fibroids can cause periods to last longer than usual or occur more frequently.
• Pelvic pressure or pain: Fibroids can cause a feeling of fullness or pressure in the lower abdomen or pelvis.
• Frequent urination or trouble urinating: Fibroids can press against the bladder or urethra, causing frequent urination or difficulty emptying the bladder.
• Growing stomach area: Large fibroids can cause the uterus to enlarge, leading to a growing stomach area.
• Constipation: Fibroids can press against the rectum, causing constipation.

Treatment Options for Uterine Fibroids

The treatment options for uterine fibroids depend on the severity of symptoms, the size and location of the fibroids, and whether you want to have children in the future. Treatment options include:

• Watchful waiting: If you have small fibroids that are not causing any symptoms, your doctor may recommend watchful waiting and monitoring the growth of the fibroids over time.
• Medications: Medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), hormonal birth control, and gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists can help relieve symptoms such as heavy bleeding and pelvic pain.
• Surgery: Surgery may be recommended if you have large or multiple fibroids, severe symptoms, or if you want to have children in the future. Surgical options include myomectomy, hysterectomy, and uterine artery embolization (UAE).
• Minimally invasive procedures: Minimally invasive procedures such as laparoscopic or robotic myomectomy, radiofrequency ablation, and MRI-guided focused ultrasound surgery (FUS) can be used to remove or shrink fibroids.

Uterine fibroids are a common condition that affects many women during their reproductive years. They are noncancerous tumors that grow in or on the uterus and can cause symptoms such as heavy menstrual bleeding, pelvic pain, and frequent urination. Treatment options include watchful waiting, medications, surgery, and minimally invasive procedures. If you experience any symptoms of uterine fibroids, talk to your healthcare provider to determine the best course of treatment for you.

References:

1. Mayo Clinic. Uterine fibroids – Symptoms and causes. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/uterine-fibroids/symptoms-causes/syc-20354288
2. Cleveland Clinic. Uterine Fibroids: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment. Retrieved from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9130-uterine-fibroids
3. Office on Women’s Health. Uterine fibroids. Retrieved from https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/uterine-fibroids
4. Mount Sinai. Uterine fibroids Information. Retrieved from https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/diseases-conditions/uterine-fibroids
5. UCLA Health. What are fibroids? Retrieved from https://www.uclahealth.org/medical-services/fibroids/what-are-fibroids
6. Johns Hopkins Medicine. Fibroids. Retrieved from https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/uterine-fibroids