What You Should Know About Uterine Fibroids

O.K. So what are they?

Uterine Fibroids (leiomyomas) are common noncancerous (benign) tumors that occur within the muscle walls of the uterus (womb). Uterine fibroid tumors can be tiny and asymptomatic, or they can cause excruciating pain and grow larger than a grapefruit.

There are four types of uterine fibroids:

Subserosal Fibroids, develop under the outside uterine covering.
Intramural Fibroids, develop within the uterine wall.
Submucosal Fibroids, develop under the uterus lining.
Pedunculated Fibroids, develop on a "stalk" or stem-like structure attached to the inside or the outside of the uterus.

Fibroids may grow as a single nodule or in clusters. They may range in size from 1 mm to more than 20 cm (8 inches) in diameter. Fibroids in the uterus are a common cause of heavy menstrual bleeding and pelvic pain and pressure in women. Also, fibroids can dramatically increase in size during pregnancy.

What are the Symptoms?

Some women with uterine fibroids experience no symptoms at all. Symptoms may include excessive and prolonged menstrual bleeding, pain, abdominal mass effect, frequent urination or urgency or constipation and many others.

When there are symptoms, they vary depending on the location and size of the fibroid tumors. Women sometimes underestimate the impact of their symptoms because they have become accustumed to the excessive bleeding, pain and the pressure that fibroids can cause. Also, for some reason African-American women develop symptoms faster and with greater severity than other women.