You May Have Uterine Fibroids and Not Know It
- Posted on: Dec 1 2022
Do you know what uterine fibroids are? There are many women that have uterine fibroids during their lives. Some women may not even know that they have them because they sometimes do not cause any symptoms. It is estimated that up to 80% of females will develop uterine fibroids by the age of 50 years old. Read on to learn more about uterine fibroids.
What are Uterine Fibroids?
Uterine fibroids are made of muscular tissue and they grow in or on the wall of the uterus. Most times they are not cancerous.
How Big are Uterine Fibroids?
Uterine fibroids will vary in size for each woman. They may be as small as a seed or as large as a grapefruit. It is not common, but they could grow even larger than a grapefruit.
What are the Signs and Symptoms of Uterine Fibroids?
In most cases, uterine fibroids will not cause any symptoms. If they do cause symptoms, they may include, heavy bleeding, feeling of fullness in the pelvis, enlargement of the lower abdomen, frequent urination, pain during sex, lower back pain, pregnancy complications, and reproductive issues.
What Causes Uterine Fibroids?
There is no definite answer to this question but medical researchers think that hormones and genetics may play a role in the growth of uterine fibroids. There are risk factors that increase the chances of developing uterine fibroids which include, age, family history, African American ethnicity, obesity, and eating a large amount of red meat and ham. Women are most likely to develop uterine fibroids starting during their 30s through the end of menopause. After menopause fibroids will usually shrink.
How Do I Know If I Have Uterine Fibroids and How Are They Treated?
Your gynecological healthcare provider may be able to detect uterine fibroids during a regular pelvic exam. In some cases, they may order imaging to confirm and get a better picture of the fibroids. Treatment of uterine fibroids will depend on symptoms, fertility goals, and medical history. If you do not have any symptoms and the fibroids are not very large, your healthcare provider will likely just recommend monitoring them. If the fibroids are causing symptoms or could cause future health complications, your healthcare provider will likely recommend treatment with medication and / or surgery.
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Resources
- Uterine fibroids. Uterine fibroids | Office on Women’s Health. (n.d.). Retrieved November 26, 2022
Posted in: Uterine Fibroids, Women's Health