5 signs you may have uterine fibroids

Uterine fibroids, also known as leiomyomas, are noncancerous, muscular tumors that can grow anywhere in the uterus.

Who gets fibroids?

 “Up to 70 percent of women will develop fibroids in their reproductive years. They don’t always cause issues, however, so patients may not know that they have them,” says Dr. Rebecca Surrey with Esprit OB/GYN Center – a part of HealthONE. “They most often occur in women ages 30 to 50.”

Dr. Surrey says here are five signs you might have uterine fibroids and should talk to your gynecologist:

1. Heavy bleeding or long, painful periods. You may also notice bleeding in between periods.
2. Irregular periods, which means not consistently every 21-35 days
3. Pelvic cramping or painful periods
4. Bladder pressure or urinary frequency (with negative testing for UTI): You might need to pee often, and even wake up during the night to pee. You could also have trouble emptying your bladder all the way.
5. Lower abdominal fullness or pressure

Types of fibroids

“Fibroids can vary in size considerably. Some can be the size of a pea, whereas others can be as big as a grapefruit. You can also have multiple fibroids of different sizes at the same time.” says Dr. Surrey.

The main types of fibroids are:

• Intramural fibroids: The most common type of fibroid, which develop in the muscle wall of the uterus
• Subserosal fibroids: Fibroids that develop outside the wall of the uterus into the pelvis and can become very large
• Submucosal fibroids: Fibroids that develop in the muscle layer beneath the uterus' inner lining called the endometrium, and grow into the endometrial cavity 

Treating fibroids

Fibroids do not need to be treated if they are not causing symptoms. After menopause, they'll often shrink on their own. If you do have symptoms caused by fibroids, however, Dr. Surrey says that there are multiple treatment options available. The best option for treatment depends on each patient’s individual situation and preferences, but can include:

• Hormonal medication: Such birth control pills or the hormonal IUD
• Non-hormonal medication: Tranexamic acid which can help reduce blood flow, or NSAIDs
• Laparoscopic radiofrequency ablation: A surgical procedure called Acessa that uses radiofrequency applied directly in the fibroids to shrink them over time
• Uterine artery embolization (UAE), also called uterine fibroid embolization (UFE): A minor procedure with an interventional radiologist that blocks the blood vessels that supply the fibroids
• Myomectomy: Surgically remove the fibroids while leaving the uterus in place 
• Hysterectomy: Surgically remove the uterus with the fibroids

At HealthONE, we are dedicated to providing you with personalized, relationship-based gynecology. Our gynecologists see you as a whole person with unique health needs, and we know those needs evolve as you age. So, we provide urogynecology, pelvic floor treatments and menopause care — all founded in mutual respect and trust. Learn more about our gynecology care and find a doctor