Uterine fibroids are very common benign (non-cancerous) tumors of the uterus. They are muscle growths in your uterine wall. They grow from the muscle cells of the uterus and may protrude from the inside or outside of the uterus or they may be contained within the muscular wall.

A uterine fibroid may be as small as a pea or as large as a grapefruit. Fibroids are almost always noncancerous and harmless. As fibroids grow, the uterus may become irregularly shaped or displaced. Other terms for fibroids are leiomyoma or myomas. They are found in 20-30% of women older than age 30. The cause is unknown, but they do tend to run in families.

Often there are no symptoms present. When there are symptoms they may be:

• Abnormal uterine bleeding
• Heavy menstrual bleeding
• More frequent or uncomfortable urination
• Painful intercourse
• Backache or abdominal pain
• Constipation
• Pelvic pain or pressure
• Infertility
• Problems with pregnancy

No two fibroids are the same. The type of treatment depends on their number, size, location, and rate of growth. Treatment also depends on the severity of your symptoms.

Fibroids can be diagnosed during a routine pelvic exam when a health care provider may feel an enlarged, irregular outline of the uterus through the abdomen. The diagnosis can be confirmed with ultrasound. In some cases, fibroids are found during X-rays, MRI, or ultrasound procedures that are done for another reason.

Treatment Options

Medical treatment includes the use of medication to treat the symptoms of fibroid-related bleeding and pain. Lupron is a common treatment for fibroids to temporarily stop menstrual periods, decrease size of fibroids and improve anemia by reducing or eliminating menstrual bleeding. However, fibroids grow after lupron is discontinued.

Surgical treatment includes removal of the fibroid(s) by myomectomy. This surgery can help preserve your uterus and your ability to have children. New fibroids may grow back later. Some fibroids inside the uterus can be removed through the vagina and some fibroids need to be removed through an abdominal incision. In some cases, a hysterectomy (removal of uterus) is the best option. In deciding on the best treatment, a number of factors should be considered. One of the most critical is whether or not childbearing has been completed.

3/6/2009