How many fibroids

Estrogen and progesterone, two hormones that stimulate development of the uterine lining during each menstrual cycle in preparation for pregnancy, appear to promote the growth of fibroids. Fibroids contain more estrogen and progesterone receptors than typical uterine muscle cells do. Fibroids tend to shrink after menopause due to a decrease in hormone production. Doctors believe that uterine fibroids develop from a stem cell in the smooth muscular tissue of the uterus myometrium.

A single cell divides repeatedly, eventually creating a firm, rubbery mass distinct from nearby tissue. The growth patterns of uterine fibroids vary — they may grow slowly or rapidly, or they may remain the same size. Some fibroids go through growth spurts, and some may shrink on their own. Many fibroids that have been present during pregnancy shrink or disappear after pregnancy, as the uterus goes back to its usual size.

There are few known risk factors for uterine fibroids, other than being a woman of reproductive age. Factors that can have an impact on fibroid development include:. Although uterine fibroids usually aren't dangerous, they can cause discomfort and may lead to complications such as a drop in red blood cells anemia , which causes fatigue, from heavy blood loss.

Rarely, a transfusion is needed due to blood loss. Fibroids usually don't interfere with getting pregnant. However, it's possible that fibroids — especially submucosal fibroids — could cause infertility or pregnancy loss.

Fibroids may also raise the risk of certain pregnancy complications, such as placental abruption, fetal growth restriction and preterm delivery. Although researchers continue to study the causes of fibroid tumors, little scientific evidence is available on how to prevent them. Preventing uterine fibroids may not be possible, but only a small percentage of these tumors require treatment. But, by making healthy lifestyle choices, such as maintaining a healthy weight and eating fruits and vegetables, you may be able to decrease your fibroid risk.

Also, some research suggests that using hormonal contraceptives may be associated with a lower risk of fibroids. Uterine fibroids care at Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products.

Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Fibroid locations Open pop-up dialog box Close. Fibroid locations There are three major types of uterine fibroids. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Can I get pregnant? Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Ferri FF.

They can also shrink on their own, and those that are present during pregnancy often disappear afterward. Your risk of developing new fibroids typically decreases with menopause and tumors already present may shrink.

Fibroids were once the leading reason for performing hysterectomies. Advances in medical technology and treatment techniques allow us to choose less drastic measures for treating these benign growths these days.

We may recommend medications that manipulate your hormones enough to control excessive bleeding due to the fibroids. Birth control pills can also control bleeding but have little effect on the size of your fibroids. If fibroids are interfering with your ability to become pregnant or maintain a pregnancy, we can consider surgical removal of the fibroids while leaving your uterus and other reproductive organs intact.

This type of surgery can often be done laparoscopically, which requires just a few small incisions and offers a faster healing time than traditional, open surgery. Call or click to set up an appointment. Learn about the signs of vaginal atrophy and what you can do about it. Uterine fibroids are benign, or noncancerous, fibrous growths that form in the uterus. They can grow on the outside of the uterus called subserosal fibroids , inside the muscle of the uterus called intramural fibroids , or into the uterine cavity called submucosal fibroids.

Some women have no symptoms at all from fibroids and don't even know they have them. Other women have severe symptoms. Symptoms can include very heavy menstrual cycles. Some women have so much bleeding that they become anemic —that's a hallmark symptom. Fibroids that cause severe bleeding are usually closer to the uterine cavity.

Some women can have very large fibroids that cause the uterus to be up to 10 times its normal size. She may have related symptoms due to its bulk size, like constipation or increased urination. If a woman sees her doctor because she is having increased bleeding or a heavy menstrual cycle, the doctor will likely check for uterine fibroids, but these symptoms can also be due to things such as uterine polyps, dysfunctional uterine bleeding or bleeding caused by hormonal imbalances.

Fibroids are typically diagnosed by ultrasound. The first step might be an exam by your doctor, where he or she would feel an enlarged uterus and suspect fibroids. A camera also can be used with the scope. What questions should I ask my doctor if I have fibroids? How many fibroids do I have? What size is my fibroid s? Where is my fibroid s located outer surface, inner surface, or in the wall of the uterus?

Can I expect the fibroid s to grow larger? How rapidly have they grown if they were known about already? How will I know if the fibroid s is growing larger? What problems can the fibroid s cause? What tests or imaging studies are best for keeping track of the growth of my fibroids? What are my treatment options if my fibroid s becomes a problem?

What are your views on treating fibroids with a hysterectomy versus other types of treatments? How are fibroids treated?

Some of these things include: Whether or not you are having symptoms from the fibroids If you might want to become pregnant in the future The size of the fibroids The location of the fibroids Your age and how close to menopause you might be If you have fibroids but do not have any symptoms, you may not need treatment. Medications If you have fibroids and have mild symptoms, your doctor may suggest taking medication.

Surgery If you have fibroids with moderate or severe symptoms, surgery may be the best way to treat them. Here are the options: Myomectomy meye-oh-MEK-tuh-mee — Surgery to remove fibroids without taking out the healthy tissue of the uterus. It is best for women who wish to have children after treatment for their fibroids or who wish to keep their uterus for other reasons.

You can become pregnant after myomectomy. But if your fibroids were imbedded deeply in the uterus, you might need a cesarean section to deliver. Myomectomy can be performed in many ways. It can be major surgery involving cutting into the abdomen or performed with laparoscopy or hysteroscopy. The type of surgery that can be done depends on the type, size, and location of the fibroids.

After myomectomy new fibroids can grow and cause trouble later. All of the possible risks of surgery are true for myomectomy. The risks depend on how extensive the surgery is. Hysterectomy hiss-tur-EK-tuh-mee — Surgery to remove the uterus. This surgery is the only sure way to cure uterine fibroids. Fibroids are the most common reason that hysterectomy is performed.

This surgery is used when a woman's fibroids are large, if she has heavy bleeding, is either near or past menopause, or does not want children. If the fibroids are large, a woman may need a hysterectomy that involves cutting into the abdomen to remove the uterus. If the fibroids are smaller, the doctor may be able to reach the uterus through the vagina, instead of making a cut in the abdomen.

In some cases hysterectomy can be performed through the laparoscope. Removal of the ovaries and the cervix at the time of hysterectomy is usually optional. Women whose ovaries are not removed do not go into menopause at the time of hysterectomy. Hysterectomy is a major surgery. Although hysterectomy is usually quite safe, it does carry a significant risk of complications. Recovery from hysterectomy usually takes several weeks.

This can be done with laser, wire loops, boiling water, electric current, microwaves, freezing, and other methods. This procedure usually is considered minor surgery.

It can be done on an outpatient basis or even in a doctor's office. Complications can occur, but are uncommon with most of the methods. Most people recover quickly. About half of women who have this procedure have no more menstrual bleeding. About three in 10 women have much lighter bleeding. But, a woman cannot have children after this surgery.

Myolysis meye-OL-uh-siss — A needle is inserted into the fibroids, usually guided by laparoscopy, and electric current or freezing is used to destroy the fibroids.