How can fibroids affect you

Women with fibroids often have periods lasting longer than seven days that can be very heavy, requiring changing sanitary protection frequently perhaps every hour.

Bleeding between periods is not usually due to fibroids and should always be evaluated by a physician. Although abnormal bleeding can occur with any type of fibroid, women with submucous fibroids are more likely to experience abnormal bleeding. Pelvic pressure results from an increase in size of the uterus or from a particular fibroid. Most women with fibroids have an enlarged uterus; in fact, doctors describe the size of a uterus with fibroids as they would a pregnant uterus, for example, as a 12 week-size fibroid uterus.

It is not unusual for a uterus with fibroids to reach the size of a four to five month pregnancy. This can cause constipation, frequent urination and incontinence. In some rare cases, fibroids can press on the ureters tubes which carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder , leading to kidney dysfunction.

Soaking multiple pads and tampons in a short amount of time, for example, soaking through menstrual hygiene products every hour.

How are fibroids diagnosed? Typically, your doctor can feel the fibroid during an ordinary pelvic exam. To confirm the location and size of the fibroid, your doctor may request an ultrasound or other imaging tests like an MRI or a hysterosalpingography, which is an X-ray used to view the inside of the uterus and fallopian tubes. Lab tests, like a complete blood panel or other blood tests, can also be helpful in diagnosing conditions caused by fibroids like anemia.

How are fibroids treated? Treatment can range from medications to surgery, so be sure to talk to discuss your options with your doctor.

Are fibroids cancerous? Uterine fibroids, by definition, are noncancerous. In very rare cases, women develop a leiomyosarcoma, which is a cancer that can affect the uterus. Since fibroids typically shrink after menopause, postmenopausal women should see their doctor right away if they notice or feel any new, fast-growing tumors in their uterus. How do fibroids affect fertility and pregnancy? Most women with fibroids have normal pregnancies.

If there are problems with the pregnancy, they usually arise due to the size and location of the fibroid, affecting the type of delivery you may have. In some cases, though, the size and location of the fibroid can interfere with the implantation of the embryo. Fibroids cost the U. Marsh hopes to change this by bringing awareness and getting this condition out in the open.

Examples include:. Surgery to remove very large or multiple growths may be performed. This is known as a myomectomy. An abdominal myomectomy involves making a large incision in the abdomen to access the uterus and remove the fibroids.

The surgery can also be performed laparoscopically , using a few small incisions into which surgical tools and a camera are inserted. Fibroids might grow back after surgery.

If your condition worsens, or if no other treatments work, your physician may perform a hysterectomy. A newer and completely noninvasive surgical procedure is forced ultrasound surgery FUS. You lie down inside a special MRI machine that allows doctors to visualize the inside of your uterus. High-energy, high-frequency sound waves are directed at the fibroids to ablate, or destroy, them. Myolysis procedures such as Acessa shrink fibroids using heat sources like an electric current or laser, while cryomyolysis freezes the fibroids.

Endometrial ablation involves inserting a special instrument into your uterus to destroy the uterine lining using heat, electric current, hot water, or extreme cold. Another nonsurgical option is uterine artery embolization. Your prognosis will depend on the size and location of your fibroids.

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Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.