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.

Do fibroids need to be removed?

When do fibroids need to be treated? 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.

What size fibroids need surgery?

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

Can I live a normal life 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.

Should I be worried about fibroids?

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.

When should you get a hysterectomy for fibroids?

A hysterectomy may be recommended if you have large fibroids or severe bleeding and you do not want to have any more children.

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.

Is removing fibroids a major surgery?

Also known as an "open" myomectomy, an abdominal myomectomy is a major surgical procedure. It involves making an incision through the skin on the lower abdomen, known as a "bikini cut," and removing the fibroids from the wall of the uterus.

What is the main cause of fibroids?

Hormones. 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.

Can fibroids 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.

What is the most common treatment for fibroids?

Endometrial ablation.

This is surgery to destroy a thin layer of the lining of the uterus (called the endometrium) to stop bleeding caused by uterine fibroids. This treatment is the most common of the three.

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.

Can fibroids go away naturally?

Fibroids typically grow slowly or not at all. In many cases, they shrink on their own, especially after menopause. You may not need treatment unless you're bothered by symptoms. Your doctor will recommend the best treatment plan.

What happens if fibroids burst?

When a fibroid bursts, it causes acute blood loss that may become life-threatening. If you have fibroids and experience sudden and severe abdominal pain, see a medical professional right away. This symptom could indicate a burst fibroid or another serious issue.

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 affect your mood?

“Symptoms of depression, such as a low mood, a feeling of hopelessness, crying, decreased or increased appetite, and loss of interest in activities previously found pleasurable can develop in women diagnosed with fibroids.”

Do uterine fibroids smell?

Assuming they are located towards the inner surface of the uterus, you may experience heavy periods with or without bleeding between the periods. If they outgrow their blood supply they may become necrotic and you may have fever, pain and foul-smelling discharge.

How long are you out for fibroid surgery?

Laparoscopic myomectomy can take two to four hours, based on the number of fibroids and their size. You can go home the same day or spend a night in the hospital, depending on how you feel after the procedure. Overall recovery is about two to four weeks.

When is fibroids an emergency?

Emergency Fibroid Symptoms

In rare cases, women with fibroids need emergency treatment. You should seek emergency care if you have sharp, sudden pain in the abdomen that is unrelieved with pain medication, or severe vaginal bleeding with signs of anemia such as lightheadedness, extreme fatigue and weakness.

Is a hysterectomy the only way to get rid of fibroids?

In the past, many doctors recommended a hysterectomy for fibroids, but a hysterectomy is no longer the only available treatment. Although a hysterectomy may be necessary for some patients, others can treat their fibroids using less invasive methods.

At what size do fibroids cause problems?

Large fibroids

Anything that exceeds 10 cm. Picture a grapefruit or a small watermelon. These large fibroids cause stomachs to distort to the point where a woman may say she looks pregnant.

Who is prone to fibroids?

These fibroids most often are diagnosed in women in their 30s and 40s. Race is a risk factor for uterine fibroids, as well. Although the reasons for it are not clear, black women are more likely to have fibroids than women of other racial groups. Uterine fibroids also tend to develop at an earlier age in black women.

Can losing weight get rid of fibroids?

It's commonly recommended to fibroid patients to try to lose weight because it can help to prevent further fibroid growth. Fat cells make more estrogen, and sudden changes in hormones can lead to fibroid growth. Having a healthy weight, good diet and regular exercise routine can help prevent them.