Uterine fibroids (leiomyomata) are non-cancerous growths that develop in or just outside a woman’s uterus (womb). Uterine fibroids develop from normal uterus muscle cells that start growing abnormally. As the cells grow, they form a benign tumor.
Uterine fibroids are extremely common. In fact, many women have uterine fibroids at some point in life. Uterine fibroids in most women are usually too small to cause any problems, or even be noticed.
No one knows what causes uterine fibroids, but their growth seems to depend on estrogen, the female hormone. Uterine fibroids don’t develop until after puberty, and usually after age 30. Uterine fibroids shrink or disappear after menopause, when estrogen levels fall.
African-American women tend to get uterine fibroids two to three times as often as white women, and also tend to have more symptoms from uterine fibroids.
Other factors may influence development of uterine fibroids:
All uterine fibroids are similar in their makeup: all are made of abnormal uterus muscle cells growing in a tight bundle or mass.
Uterine fibroids are sometimes classified by where they grow in the uterus:
Uterine fibroids can range in size, from microscopic to several inches across and weighing tens of pounds.
Most often, uterine fibroids cause no symptoms at all -- so most women don’t realize they have them. When women do experience symptoms from uterine fibroids, they can include:
Some experts believe that some uterine fibroids can occasionally interfere with fertility and pregnancy. Rarely, a uterine fibroid projecting into the uterus might either block an embryo from implanting there, or cause problems with the pregnancy later.
Moderate and large-sized uterine fibroids are often felt by a doctor during a manual pelvic examination. Imaging tests are often done to confirm the presence of uterine fibroids.
An ultrasound probe is inserted into the vagina or over the pelvis on the abdomen, and high-frequency sound waves reflect off the uterus and pelvic structures. The uterus and any uterine fibroids are displayed on a video screen.
An MRI scanner uses a high-powered magnet and a computer to create highly detailed images of the uterus and other pelvic structures. Pelvic MRI can confirm the presence of uterine fibroids, if the diagnosis is unclear.
Occasionally, a doctor may be concerned that a mass in the uterus is cancer, not a uterine fibroid. A small piece of tissue (biopsy) taken from the uterus can usually tell a fibroid from cancer. A uterine biopsy may be done through the vagina, or may require surgery
Dye is injected into the uterus through the vagina and cervix, and X-ray films show an outline of the uterus and fallopian tubes. Hysterosalpingogram is usually done in women with uterine fibroids who are trying to become pregnant.
A water solution is injected into the uterus through the vagina and cervix, and an ultrasound is then done. Sonohysterogram may show uterine fibroids or other growths not visible on a traditional ultrasound.
A tube with a lighted viewer on its tip (endoscope) is advanced into the uterus, and a video screen shows the uterus interior. Hysteroscopy can detect uterine fibroids projecting into the uterus, but cannot see any part of a fibroid in the uterus wall or outside the uterus.
Not all women will need extensive testing for uterine fibroids. In most women, a pelvic exam and ultrasound are sufficient to make the diagnosis of uterine fibroids.
Most uterine fibroids don’t need any treatment, because they don’t cause symptoms or problems. Uterine fibroids causing problems may be treated with non-surgical or surgical options.
Watchful waiting: A minority of fibroids will naturally shrink over time. Most uterine fibroids will either stay the same size or grow, however.
Oral contraceptives (birth control pills): These contain hormones (estrogen, progesterone, or a combination) that can help reduce heavy periods caused by uterine fibroids.
Lupron: This hormone treatment stops menstrual periods and shrinks uterine fibroids. Lupron is usually used as a temporary treatment before surgery.
Intrauterine device (IUD) with levonorgestrel: Mirena is an IUD that releases a hormone that reduces heavy periods.
Pain relievers: Motrin or Aleve can reduce the pain caused by uterine fibroids.
Iron: Heavy periods caused by uterine fibroids can lead to iron-deficient anemia. Iron tablets can help the body replace the blood lost during menstruation.
Myomectomy: Surgery to remove uterine fibroids while leaving the uterus in place. Myomectomy is often done for women wishing to have children. New uterine fibroids may grow, requiring a later procedure in up to a third of women after myomectomy.
Hysterectomy: Surgery to remove the entire uterus and all uterine fibroids. Hysterectomy cures uterine fibroids and prevents them from ever returning. Women with symptoms from uterine fibroids who don’t want a future pregnancy often undergo hysterectomy.
Surgeons perform myomectomy and hysterectomy through different techniques. These can determine time in the hospital, healing time, and scarring.
The vaginal approach, laparoscopy, and robot-assisted laparoscopy are minimally invasive procedures or MIPs. MIPs offer certain benefits over the more traditional open surgery approach. In general, an MIP allows for faster recovery, shorter hospital stays, and less pain and scarring than does an open abdominal surgery.
One recent study of hysterectomies showed a higher rate of postoperative infection in patients with open abdominal surgery. And the average length of time in the hospital for patients undergoing an MIP ranged from 1.6 days to 2.2 days compared to 3.7 days for abdominal hysterectomies. With an MIP, women are generally able to resume their normal activity within a much shorter period of time than they are after an open surgery. And the costs associated with an MIP are considerably lower than the costs associated with open surgery. There is also less risk of incisional hernias with an MIP.
Not every woman is a good candidate for a minimally invasive procedure. The presence of scar tissue from previous surgeries, obesity, and health status can all affect whether or not an MIP is advisable. You should talk with your doctor about whether you might be a candidate for an MIP.
Uterine artery embolization (UAE): A procedure that cuts off blood flow to a uterine fibroid, causing it to shrink. UAE is not a surgical procedure. It is a minimally invasive procedure during which a thin tube -- catheter -- is inserted into an artery in the groin and guided using X-ray cameras to arteries that feed the uterus. Once it's there, the doctor injects very small particles through the tube. The particles clog the blood vessels that feed the fibroid tumor. That causes them to shrink over time and brings about an improvement in the woman's symptoms.
Because it is a minimally invasive procedure, some women go home the same day. Most often, an overnight stay in the hospital is required. The procedure can cause cramping and pelvic pain that may last a few days. But typically, women can return to work and their normal activities after about one week.
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