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Uterine Fibroids

Condition Basics

What are uterine fibroids?

Uterine fibroids are growths on or in the uterusuterus. Fibroids can grow on the outer wallon the outer wall, on the inner wallon the inner wall, or inside the wallinside the wall of the uterus.

Your doctor may call them fibroid tumors, leiomyomas, or myomas. But fibroids aren't cancer. And they usually don't cause problems. You don't need to do anything about them unless they are causing problems.

What causes them?

Doctors aren't sure what causes fibroids. But the hormones estrogenestrogen and progesteroneprogesterone seem to make them grow. Your body makes the highest levels of these hormones during the years you have periods.

What are the symptoms?

Pain and heavy menstrual bleeding are the most common symptoms of uterine fibroids. But often fibroids don't cause any symptoms. Or symptoms may be mild, like periods that are a little heavier than normal. In some cases, having trouble getting pregnant is the first sign of fibroids.

How are they diagnosed?

To find out if you have fibroids, your doctor will ask about your symptoms. Your doctor will do a pelvic exam to check the size of your uterus. Your doctor may do an ultrasound or other tests to see inside your uterus. You may have blood tests to look for other problems.

How are uterine fibroids treated?

If you have fibroid symptoms that don't bother you or if you're near menopause, you may not need to do anything. If you have pain and heavy bleeding, try a nonprescription medicine like ibuprofen, or ask about other medicines. Procedures can also be done to help shrink or remove fibroids.

Health Tools What Increases Your Risk Symptoms What Happens When to Call a Doctor Exams and Tests Treatment Overview Self-Care Medicines Surgery Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE)

Current as of: April 30, 2024

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC StaffIgnite Healthwise, LLC Staff

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