Uterine fibroids

What are uterine fibroids?

Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous tumors that form from muscular tissue on the uterine wall. You can develop one or several fibroids. These tumors can range in size from as small as a seed to as large as a grapefruit, distorting and enlarging the uterus. These growths are almost always benign. The chance of uterine fibroids developing into cancer is very rare – only one in 1,000 will turn out to be cancerous. If you have uterine fibroids, it doesn’t mean you have an increased chance of developing a cancerous fibroid or another form of cancer in the uterus.

Fibroids are most common in women in their 40s and early 50s. While they are very common, many women don’t know they have fibroids since they are too small to produce any symptoms. If the fibroids are large enough to cause issues, they can cause extreme discomfort, abdominal distension, pain, heavy menstrual bleeding, and frequent urination.

What are the symptoms of uterine fibroids?

In women who have symptoms, they usually experience the following:

Heavy bleeding during your menstrual cycle
Prolonged bleeding during your menstrual cycle lasting seven days or more
Frequent urination
Pelvic pressure or pain
Constipation
Difficulty emptying your bladder
Pain during sex
Lower back pain
Complications during pregnancy and labor

What causes uterine fibroids?

The exact cause of uterine fibroids isn’t clear. However, several factors contribute to their development, including:

Hormones: estrogen and progesterone are the two hormones that stimulate the development of the uterine lining each month as the body prepares for pregnancy. These hormones also affect the growth of the fibroids, which shrink after menopause and when anti-hormone medications are used.
Genetic: there is some evidence that uterine fibroids run in families. If your mother or grandmother developed fibroids, you may be more likely to develop them as well.

Uterine fibroid diagnosis and testing

Your physician can discover fibroids during a routine pelvic exam while checking the uterus, ovaries, and vagina. Once a detailed diagnosis is reached, your physician will determine the best treatment options for you. In addition to a pelvic exam, the following imaging tests will confirm the existence of fibroids:

X-ray

We use x-rays to diagnose broken bones, lung problems, and many other conditions.

Ultrasound

Leading-edge ultrasound technology helps us diagnose a range of health conditions.

CT scan

A CT scan helps diagnose traumatic injuries, cancer, vascular diseases, and many other conditions.

MRI

An MRI provides high-resolution images of the brain, spine, and many other structures in the body.

Treatment options for symptomatic uterine fibroids

Uterine fibroid treatment is not one-size-fits-all. Your care plan will depend on several personal factors, including your age, the severity of your symptoms, the type of fibroids you have, and your future family plans.

For many people, managing fibroids begins with nonsurgical methods to control symptoms like heavy bleeding or pelvic pain. However, if these approaches do not provide enough relief, surgical interventions may be considered. At Penn Medicine, our gynecologic specialists work alongside you to weigh these options, ensuring you understand the benefits of each approach so you can make the best choice for your health and lifestyle.