Why fibroid tumors

Each fibroid is thought to arise from a single cell which grows into a mass. Both estrogen and progesterone hormones products of the ovaries are thought to promote the growth of fibroids.

Some fibroids will remain stable in size over many years while others will appear suddenly and grow quite rapidly. Whether or not treatment is needed depends on the size, location, and rate of growth of the fibroids. Symptoms are caused by the size of the fibroids themselves heaviness or pressure in the pelvis , or by pressure on surrounding organs such as the bladder or large intestine.

Very rarely, about 1 in 10, cases, a fibroid may develop into a sarcoma, or very aggressive cancer. Many fibroids produce no symptoms at all, and are simply noted during the course of routine annual examinations and Pap smears.

Others will cause heavy and prolonged periods. In still other situations, the size and position of the fibroid s may cause pain during intercourse, increased menstrual cramps, or decreased bladder capacity. Hormonal treatments have relatively little effect on fibroids. In fact, birth control pills can sometimes make them grow. An exception to this seems to be the progesterone-containing IUD, Mirena, which reduces menstrual flow, and in one recent study, has been shown to shrink fibroids slightly.

Treatment options include hysterectomy, myomectomy, uterine artery embolization, myolysis, and medical therapy. Treatment must be individualized based on such considerations as the presence and severity of symptoms, the patient's desire for definitive treatment, the desire to preserve childbearing capacity, the importance of uterine preservation, infertility related to uterine cavity distortions, and previous pregnancy complications related to fibroid tumors.

With this approach, the health care provider closely monitors your symptoms with frequent follow-up visits and ultrasounds to make sure there are no significant changes in your condition. Treatment may be necessary if your fibroids cause significant symptoms.

Treatment options include medicinal and surgical approaches. Your doctor will recommend treatment based on your symptoms, location and size of the fibroids, your age and medical history, and your health goals such as a desire for pregnancy. In some cases, women also require treatment for iron-deficiency anemia due to heavy or prolonged periods, or because of abnormal bleeding between periods.

Anti-inflammatory painkillers such as ibuprofen or naproxen may reduce menstrual bleeding caused by fibroids and provide pain relief. This is the most conservative treatment method and is recommended for women with occasional pelvic pain or discomfort due to fibroids. Conservative surgical therapy.

Myomectomy is a procedure during which the fibroids are removed but the uterus stays intact. This approach is recommended for women who want to preserve their fertility. There are three primary myomectomy methods:. Uterine artery embolization UAE , also called uterine fibroid embolization, is a newer technique. This minimally invasive procedure shrinks fibroids by cutting off their blood flow.

An interventional radiologist performs UAE, using X-rays for guidance. Magnetic resonance guided focused ultrasound , also a newer technique, focuses sound waves on fibroids that are at the front of the uterus.

The potential effects on fertility are not yet understood. Radiofrequency ablation of fibroids is another newer technique, during which — under laparoscopic and ultrasound guidance — heat is applied into the fibroids to make them smaller and softer. The potential effects on fertility are not currently well understood.

During a hysterectomy , the entire uterus is removed. Fibroids are the 1 reason for hysterectomies in the U. The procedure can be performed vaginally or abdominally via a large incision, laparoscopically or robotically, depending on the size of your uterus, location of the fibroids and your medical history. Because a hysterectomy is a major surgery, it is only recommended to treat fibroid cases for women who are not interested in preserving their fertility. It is the most effective method of fibroid treatment because it eliminates the possibility of recurrence.

Uterine fibroids can affect fertility in a variety of ways. Fibroids usually develop during a woman's reproductive years from around the age of 16 to 50 when oestrogen levels are at their highest. They tend to shrink when oestrogen levels are low, such as after the menopause when a woman's monthly periods stop. Fibroids are common, with around 1 in 3 women developing them at some point in their life. They most often occur in women aged 30 to It's also thought they occur more often in overweight or obese women because being overweight increases the level of oestrogen in the body.

Women who have had children have a lower risk of developing fibroids, and the risk decreases further the more children you have. Fibroids can grow anywhere in the womb and vary in size considerably. Some can be the size of a pea, whereas others can be the size of a melon.