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.

The exact cause of uterine fibroids is unknown, but they are thought to be caused by:

  • Hormones in the body
  • Genes (may run in families)

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:

  • In the muscle wall of the uterus (myometrial)
  • Just under the surface of the uterine lining (submucosal)
  • Just under the outside lining of the uterus (subserosal)
  • On a long stalk on the outside the uterus or inside the uterus (pedunculated)

Uterine Fibroid Symptoms

Common symptoms of uterine fibroids are:

  • Bleeding between periods
  • Heavy bleeding during your period, sometimes with blood clots
  • Periods that may last longer than normal
  • Needing to urinate more often
  • Pelvic cramping or pain with periods
  • Feeling fullness or pressure in your lower belly
  • Pain during intercourse

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.

Diagnosing Uterine Fibroids

Your provider will perform a pelvic exam. This may show that you have a change in the shape of your womb.

Fibroids are not always easy to diagnose. Being obese may make fibroids harder to detect. You may need these tests to look for fibroids:

  • Ultrasound uses sound waves to create a picture of the uterus.
  • MRI uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create a picture.
  • Saline infusion sonogram (hysterosonography). Saline is injected into the uterus to make it easier to see the uterus using ultrasound.
  • Hysteroscopy uses a long, thin tube inserted through the vagina and into the uterus to examine the inside of the uterus.
  • Endometrial biopsy removes a small piece of the lining of the uterus to check for cancer if you have unusual bleeding.

Uterine Fibroid Treatment

What type of treatment you have depends on:

  • Your age
  • Your general health
  • Your symptoms
  • Type of fibroids
  • If you are pregnant
  • If you want children in the future

Treatment for the symptoms of fibroids may include:

  • Birth control pills to help control heavy periods
  • Intrauterine devices (IUDs) that release hormones to help reduce heavy bleeding and pain
  • Tranexamic acid to reduce the amount of blood flow
  • Iron supplements to prevent or treat anemia due to heavy periods
  • Pain relievers such as ibuprofen or naproxen for cramps or pain
  • Hormone therapy shots to help shrink fibroids (done only for a short time)
  • Watchful waiting. You may have pelvic exams or ultrasounds every once in a while to check the fibroid's growth

Surgery and procedures used to treat fibroids include:

  • Uterine fibroid embolization - This procedure stops the blood supply to the fibroid, causing it to shrink and die. This may be a good option if you want to have children in the future.
  • Hysteroscopy - This procedure can remove fibroids growing inside the uterus.
  • Myomectomy - This surgery removes the fibroids from the uterus. This also may be a good choice if you want to have children. It will not prevent fibroids from growing again.
  • Hysterectomy - This surgery removes the uterus completely. It may be an option if you do not want children, medicines do not work, and you cannot have any other procedures.