Uterine fibroids are tumors that grow in a woman's womb (uterus). These growths are typically not cancerous (benign).
Leiomyoma; Fibromyoma; Myoma; Fibroids; Uterine bleeding - fibroids; Vaginal bleeding - fibroids
Uterine fibroids are common. As many as one in five women may have fibroids during their childbearing years. Half of all women have fibroids by age 50.
Fibroids are rare in women under age 20. They are more common in African Americans than White, Hispanic, or Asian women.
No one knows exactly what causes fibroids. They are thought to be caused by:
Fibroids can be so tiny that you need a microscope to see them. They can also grow very large. They may fill the entire uterus and may weigh several pounds or kilograms. Although it is possible for just one fibroid to develop, most often there is more than one.
Fibroids can grow:
Common symptoms of uterine fibroids are:
Often, you can have fibroids and not have any symptoms. Your health care provider may find them during a physical exam or other test. Fibroids often shrink and cause no symptoms in women who have gone through menopause. A recent study also showed that some small fibroids shrink in premenopausal women.
What type of treatment you have depends on:
Treatment for the symptoms of fibroids may include:
Medical or hormonal therapies that may help shrink fibroids include:
Surgery and procedures used to treat fibroids include:
Newer treatments, such as the use of focused ultrasound, are being evaluated in clinical studies.
Erica Marsh is an Obstetrics and Gynecologist and a Reproductive Medicine expert in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Marsh has been practicing medicine for over 22 years and is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Uterine Fibroids. She is also highly rated in 4 other conditions, according to our data. Her top areas of expertise are Uterine Fibroids, Infertility, Menorrhagia, Hysterectomy, and Endoscopy. She is licensed to treat patients in Michigan and Illinois. Marsh is currently accepting new patients.
James Spies is an Interventional Radiologist and a Radiologist in Washington, Washington, D.c.. Spies has been practicing medicine for over 43 years and is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Uterine Fibroids. He is also highly rated in 2 other conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Uterine Fibroids, Enlarged Prostate (BPH), Infertility, Menopause, and Prostatic Artery Embolization. He is licensed to treat patients in District of Columbia. Spies is currently accepting new patients.
Pia Vahteristo practices in Helsinki, Finland. Vahteristo is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Uterine Fibroids. She is also highly rated in 6 other conditions, according to our data. Her top areas of expertise are Uterine Fibroids, Leiomyosarcoma, Fibroadenoma, Adult Soft Tissue Sarcoma, and Hysterectomy.
If you have fibroids without symptoms, you may not need treatment.
If you have fibroids, they may grow if you become pregnant. This is due to the increased blood flow and higher estrogen levels. The fibroids usually return to their original size after your baby is born.
Complications of fibroids include:
If you are pregnant, there's a small risk that fibroids may cause complications:
Contact your provider if you have:
Summary: The purpose of this study is to assess the contraceptive efficacy of relugolix combination therapy.
Summary: This study will investigate what causes hereditary leiomyomatosis renal (kidney) cell cancer, or HLRCC, and how the disease is related to the development of kidney tumors. Leiomyomas are benign (non-cancerous) tumors arising from smooth muscle. HLRCC can cause various health problems. Some people develop red bumps on their skin that can be painful at times. Some women with HLRCC can develop leiomy...
Published Date: January 10, 2022
Published By: John D. Jacobson, MD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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Dolan MS, Hill CC, Valea FA. Benign gynecologic lesions: vulva, vagina, cervix, uterus, oviduct, ovary, ultrasound imaging of pelvic structures. In: Gershenson DM, Lentz GM, Valea FA, Lobo RA, eds. Comprehensive Gynecology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 18.
Manyonda I, Belli AM, Lumsden MA, et al. Uterine-artery embolization or myomectomy for uterine fibroids. N Engl J Med. 2020 ;383(5):440-451. PMID: 32726530. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32726530/.
Moravek MB, Bulun SE. Uterine fibroids. In: Jameson JL, De Groot LJ, de Kretser DM, et al, eds. Endocrinology: Adult and Pediatric. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 131.
Stewart EA. Clinical practice. Uterine fibroids. N Engl J Med. 2015;372(17):1646-1655. PMID: 25901428 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25901428/.
Verpalen IM, Anneveldt KJ, Nijholt IM, et al. Magnetic resonance-high intensity focused ultrasound (MR-HIFU) therapy of symptomatic uterine fibroids with unrestrictive treatment protocols: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur J Radiol. 2019;120:108700. doi: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2019.108700. PMID: 31634683. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31634683/.