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Uterine Fibroids
- Benign growths that are made up of the muscle and connective tissue of the uterine wall
- May grow as a single nodule or in clusters and may range in size from 1 mm to more than 20 cm (8 inches) in diameter
- They may grow within the wall of the uterus, project into the interior cavity or toward the outer surface of the uterus
- In rare cases, they may grow on stems projecting from the surface of the uterus
- Symptoms, size, location and number vary
- Each fibroid is unique and one of a kind, which requires individualization of therapeutic options
- Unknown
- Most fibroids occur in:
- Women of reproductive age
- Black women diagnosed 2-3x more frequently than white women
- Seldom seen in young women who have not begun to menstruate
- Increased risk with
- Genetic link
- Obesity
- Not having children
- Early onset of menstruation
- Late age for menopause
- Most fibroids do not cause any symptoms
- Symptoms usually stabilize/dissipate post-menopause
- Some women may have the following:
- Excessive/painful bleeding during menstruation
- Bleeding between periods
- A feeling of fullness in the lower abdomen
- Frequent urination resulting from a fibroid that compresses the bladder
- Pain during sexual intercourse
- Low back pain
- Constipation
- Chronic vaginal discharge
- Inability to urinate
- Severe menstrual cramps
- Infertility
- Pelvic exam: To detect if the uterus is enlarged/irregularly shaped
- Abdominal ultrasound: To get a picture of your uterus and to map and measure fibroids
- If asymptomatic, no treatment is necessary
- Periodic pelvic examination and ultrasound depending on the size or symptoms of the fibroid/s
- Type of treatment is determined by the number, size, location and symptoms
- Laparotomy: Abdominal incision to remove all fibroids
- More often used when there are a large number of fibroids
- Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE): Minimally invasive procedure that uses a form of real-time x-ray called fluoroscopy to guide the delivery of embolic agents to the uterus and fibroids
- These agents block the arteries that provide blood to the fibroids and cause them to shrink
- Nearly 90% of women who undergo UFE experience significant/complete resolution of their fibroid-related symptoms
