National Women's Health Information Center
This United States Department of Human Services’ website dedicates itself to women’s health information.
Uterine Fibroids
IU Health gynecologists offer a variety of treatment options for uterine fibroids to meet your needs and pregnancy goals.
Uterine fibroids are very common noncancerous growths in the muscular wall of your uterus that can range from pea-sized to larger than a cantaloupe. Often, you have more than one fibroid.
Highly skilled gynecologists at IU Health will work with you to provide the best treatment for your uterine fibroids.
Most people don’t even know they have fibroids because they don't have any symptoms. However, if you do experience fibroid symptoms, they may include:
- Heavy, prolonged monthly periods
- Anemia (fatigue due to low red blood count)
- Pain or pressure in the pelvis
- Pain during sex
- Frequent need to urinate
- Constipation or bloating
- Enlarged belly
Cause
It is not known exactly what causes uterine fibroids. Estrogen may stimulate the growth of fibroids. Uterine fibroids can greatly increase in size during pregnancy, but typically shrink back afterward.
Some people have a higher chance of developing fibroids:
- People with a family history of fibroids
- Women of African American or Asian descent
Prevention & Diagnosis
It’s possible to detect uterine fibroids early by including a preventative annual visit with a women’s healthcare provider. During this visit, your gynecologist will review your body systems, listen to your concerns and perform a pelvic exam.
Routine pelvic examinations may detect fibroids. Other diagnostic procedures that can detect fibroids include:
- Computed tomography (CT) scan
- Transvaginal ultrasound
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- Biopsy
Overview
Most people don’t even know they have fibroids because they don't have any symptoms. However, if you do experience fibroid symptoms, they may include:
- Heavy, prolonged monthly periods
- Anemia (fatigue due to low red blood count)
- Pain or pressure in the pelvis
- Pain during sex
- Frequent need to urinate
- Constipation or bloating
- Enlarged belly
Cause
It is not known exactly what causes uterine fibroids. Estrogen may stimulate the growth of fibroids. Uterine fibroids can greatly increase in size during pregnancy, but typically shrink back afterward.
Some people have a higher chance of developing fibroids:
- People with a family history of fibroids
- Women of African American or Asian descent
Prevention & Diagnosis
It’s possible to detect uterine fibroids early by including a preventative annual visit with a women’s healthcare provider. During this visit, your gynecologist will review your body systems, listen to your concerns and perform a pelvic exam.
Routine pelvic examinations may detect fibroids. Other diagnostic procedures that can detect fibroids include:
- Computed tomography (CT) scan
- Transvaginal ultrasound
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- Biopsy
Your IU Health provider will help you choose the right treatment for you based on your medical history, the extent of your fibroids and your interest in pregnancy. Your physician may offer one of the following treatment options:
- Endometrial ablation, a minimally invasive procedure that removes a thin layer of the uterus.
- Hormone therapy, a nonsurgical treatment to help reduce the size of fibroids and control heavy bleeding.
- Hysterectomy, a surgery to remove all or parts of the uterus.
- Myomectomy, which describes a few different procedures to remove fibroids.
- Uterine fibroid embolization, a procedure that shrinks fibroids by cutting off their blood supply.
Treatment
Your IU Health provider will help you choose the right treatment for you based on your medical history, the extent of your fibroids and your interest in pregnancy. Your physician may offer one of the following treatment options:
- Endometrial ablation, a minimally invasive procedure that removes a thin layer of the uterus.
- Hormone therapy, a nonsurgical treatment to help reduce the size of fibroids and control heavy bleeding.
- Hysterectomy, a surgery to remove all or parts of the uterus.
- Myomectomy, which describes a few different procedures to remove fibroids.
- Uterine fibroid embolization, a procedure that shrinks fibroids by cutting off their blood supply.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can uterine fibroids cause weight gain?
Uterine fibroids can range in size from as small as a pea to larger than a cantaloupe. A large fibroid can weigh several pounds and contribute to a person’s weight.
Can uterine fibroids cause bleeding?
Uterine fibroids may cause heavy or irregular menstrual bleeding. This might look like a very heavy period or bleeding between periods.
Do uterine fibroids cause pain?
Depending on the location of the fibroids in your uterus, you may experience pain in different areas. This might feel like back pain, menstrual cramping, pelvic pain or pressure, pain during sex or stabbing pains in the abdomen. Some people experience severe pain, whereas other people feel no pain at all from their uterine fibroids.
How are IUDs used to treat uterine fibroids?
Intrauterine devices (IUDs) are not used to treat fibroids, but they can be used to address symptoms. These small, T-shaped devices are a good option for people with small fibroids who want relief from symptoms like heavy menstrual bleeding or fatigue. However, IUDs do not shrink or destroy fibroids.
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Part of National Institutes of Health, this is the world’s largest medical library.
Resources
National Women's Health Information Center
This United States Department of Human Services’ website dedicates itself to women’s health information.
National Library of Medicine
Part of National Institutes of Health, this is the world’s largest medical library.