Are fibroids a big deal?

Fibroids are pretty common — between 20-70 percent of women will develop fibroids during their reproductive years. And they're almost always (99 percent of the time) harmless. But that doesn't mean you should ignore them. Fibroids can cause complications like excessive bleeding and reproductive problems.

How serious are fibroids?

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.

What happens if fibroids go untreated?

If left untreated, fibroids can continue to grow, both in size and number. As these tumors take over the uterus the symptoms will become worse. The fibroids pain will increase. The heavy bleeding will become heavier and it may be accompanied by severe cramping.

When should you worry about fibroids?

Any amount of bleeding that interferes with your daily quality of life is a concern. Other red flags include: Bleeding between periods and having more than one period in a month. Having a period that lasts longer than seven days.

Is it OK to live with fibroids?

In some women with fibroids, that's actually okay: In many cases, fibroids don't cause any symptoms. But for other women, fibroids can cause bleeding (fibroids are just one of the reasons you shouldn't assume your heavy period bleeding is normal), pain, and problems with urination or bowel movements.

Symptoms and Risk Factors for Fibroids

Can fibroids give you a big belly?

Fibroids cause weight gain and bloating due to a hormonal imbalance or the size of the fibroid. Larger fibroids may cause a woman to gain weight in the abdomen, giving the appearance of normal belly fat. Simply put, the more a fibroid grows, the heavier it will become.

Is it best to have fibroids removed?

When do fibroids need to be treated? The answer is fairly straightforward. If the fibroids are asymptomatic, or cause you no issues, treatment is probably not needed. Whereas, if your fibroids cause you pain and other problems, treatments are available for you to choose from depending on the severity of the symptoms.

At what stage should fibroids be removed?

Uterine fibroids usually need treatment when they cause: Anemia from heavy fibroid bleeding. Ongoing low back pain or a feeling of pressure in the lower belly. Trouble getting pregnant.

At what size should a fibroid be removed?

Most experts believe that about 9-10 centimeters (about 4 inches) diameter is the largest size fibroid that should be removed laparoscopically.

What age are fibroids most common?

Fibroids are most common in women age 30 to 40, but they can occur at any age. Fibroids occur more often in Black women than in White women.

Why does a woman get fibroids?

The exact cause of fibroids is unknown, but they have been linked to the hormone oestrogen. Oestrogen is the female reproductive hormone produced by the ovaries (the female reproductive organs).

Do fibroids make you tired?

Fatigue. Fatigue is especially easy to miss as a symptom of fibroids because it's not caused by overwork or a lack of sufficient sleep at night, but is mainly due to the loss of blood from heavy periods. This blood loss leads to anemia and an iron deficiency from the lack of red blood cells.

What is the best treatment for fibroids?

Myomectomy. A myomectomy is an operation to remove fibroids while preserving the uterus. For women who have fibroid symptoms and want to have children in the future, myomectomy is the best treatment option. Myomectomy is very effective, but fibroids can re-grow.

Do fibroids ever turn cancerous?

Can fibroids turn into cancer? Fibroids are almost always benign (not cancerous). Rarely (less than one in 1,000) a cancerous fibroid will occur. This is called leiomyosarcoma.

How do your body feel when you have fibroids?

Women with large fibroids may feel heaviness or pressure in their lower abdomen or pelvis. Often this is described as a vague discomfort rather than a sharp pain. Sometimes, the enlarged uterus makes it difficult to lie face down, bend over or exercise without discomfort.

Do fibroids get worse with age?

“Once you go through menopause, fibroids start shrinking because they don't have the hormones that were being produced by the ovaries that help them grow,” Dr. Bhagavath says. After menopause, into your 60s and beyond, your fibroids will continue to decrease in size.

How long is hospital stay after fibroid removal?

The hospital stay after abdominal myomectomy lasts from one to three days. The recovery time generally lasts up to six weeks. The surgery is typically very successful. It ensures that doctors can remove all of the fibroids.

Is having a fibroid removed painful?

Most people who have fibroid removal surgery have no serious complications, but they may experience pain or bleeding following surgery and will need time to recover. However, a small number of people do face serious complications.

Can you ignore fibroids?

There are some potentially harmful side effects of leaving uterine fibroids untreated, however. Harmful effects of ignoring uterine fibroids: Continued growth of fibroids can cause pelvic pain and worsen abnormal bleeding and lead to anemia. Fibroids can negatively affect fertility.

How long is the recovery time for fibroid surgery?

Most women feel better within the first week following surgery; however, do not lift, push or pull any heavy objects for a few weeks. Do not resume sexual intercourse until your doctor says it is OK. Full recovery takes about four to six weeks to allow for internal healing.

How can I shrink my fibroids without surgery?

Certain procedures can destroy uterine fibroids without actually removing them through surgery. They include: Uterine artery embolization. Small particles (embolic agents) are injected into the arteries supplying the uterus, cutting off blood flow to fibroids, causing them to shrink and die.

What are the disadvantages of fibroid surgery?

Risks of myomectomy include: Excessive blood loss. Many women with uterine leiomyomas already have low blood counts (anemia) due to heavy menstrual bleeding, so they're at a higher risk of problems due to blood loss. Your doctor may suggest ways to build up your blood count before surgery.

Is it OK to leave fibroids alone?

Adds Goldstein: "As long as the fibroids are not causing severe pain or heavy bleeding, it is safe to leave them alone -- even if they are fast growing."

Can fibroids add to your weight?

Fibroids themselves don't cause true weight gain. But some fibroids can become very large, and in some cases, weigh a few pounds. These larger fibroids can press on other structures in the abdomen or pelvis and appear to cause bloating and swelling around the abdomen.

How do fibroids make your stomach look?

Multiple and large fibroids jutting out of the uterus can cause the abdomen to appear swollen or larger in size. Since people are more likely to associate a large abdomen with weight gain, it is one of the most misunderstood and ignored symptoms of a fibroid-growth.