Uterine Growths (cont.)
What are uterine fibroids?
Uterine fibroids are benign masses that grow in the uterus for unclear
reasons. Uterine fibroids are commonly called by the shorter name, "fibroids."
The medical term for a fibroid is leiomyoma, which refers to a proliferation or
abnormal growth of smooth muscle tissue. Uterine fibroids arise from the tissue
in the muscle layer of the wall of the uterus, called the myometrium. They are
not cancerous.
The reason why some women develop fibroids is not yet understood. Family
history may play a role, since there is often a history of fibroids developing
in women of the same family. For poorly understood reasons, fibroids are more
common in women of color (a two to three fold increased risk) than in Caucasian women.
In addition, women who are overweight have an increased risk of fibroids. Most
women with fibroids probably go through life not even knowing they have them,
because fibroids are often found incidentally during diagnostic or therapeutic
procedures.
Fibroids are common and may occur to some degree in up to 50% of women.
What are the symptoms of uterine fibroids?
Most women with uterine fibroids have no symptoms.
However, fibroids can cause a number of symptoms depending on their size,
location within the uterus, and how close they are to adjacent pelvic organs.
Large fibroids can cause:
- pressure on the bladder with
frequent or even obstructed urination, and
- pressure on the rectum with pain
during defecation.
Abnormal uterine bleeding is
the most common symptom of a fibroid. If the tumors are near
the uterine lining, or
interfere with the blood flow to the lining, they can cause heavy periods,
painful periods, prolonged periods or spotting between menses. Uterine fibroids that are deteriorating can sometimes cause
severe, localized pain.
Next: If uterine fibroids are benign, why are they the reason for so many hysterectomies? »
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