Fibroids
Fibroids are benign (non-cancerous) growths of the muscle of the uterus (womb). They are sometimes called myomas, fibromyomas or leiomyomas, but most people call them fibroids. Around 20% of women get fibroids.
Fibroids grow very slowly and tend not to cause any problems or symptoms in younger women. They can cause symptoms as they grow bigger, but even so, at least half of all fibroids cause no problems at all.
Fibroids can be tiny or very large and a woman may have one or many. Their growth is stimulated by the hormone oestrogen, which is released from the ovaries during the reproductive years. Fibroids tend to become smaller after the menopause when oestrogen levels fall.
There are different types of fibroids, named according to where they are found. The problems that they may cause depend on their location:
- Intramural fibroids are found within the muscular wall of the uterus.
- Subserosal fibroids grow outwards from the outside wall of the uterus. They can become very large,
- Submucosal fibroids grow from the inner wall of the uterus and can take up space inside the uterus. These account for only 5% of all fibroids.
Fibroids are not the same as polyps. Polyps grow from the lining of the uterus (the endometrium) rather than from the underlying muscle as is the case with fibroids.
This information was published by Bupa's health information team and is based on reputable sources of medical evidence. It has been peer reviewed by Bupa doctors. The content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.
There are different types of fibroids, named according to where they are found. The problems that they may cause depend on their location:
- Subserous fibroids grow from the outside wall of your womb into the space in your pelvis.
- Intramural fibroids grow in the muscle wall of your womb.
- Submucous fibroids grow from the inner wall of your womb into the space inside your womb. These account for only 5% of fibroids.
Subserous and submucous fibroids can grow on a stalk. These are called pedunculated fibroids.
Fibroids usually grow very slowly over years, and new fibroids can continue to develop. Your hormones (oestrogen and progesterone) cause them to grow and develop. When you reach the menopause, they usually begin to shrink as your hormones change.
You may not have any symptoms from fibroids, so you may not know you have them. As your fibroids get bigger and you have more of them, they’re more likely to cause symptoms. These include:
Heavy periods
Up to half of all women with fibroids have heavy periods. In some cases, this can lead to anaemia. Fibroids do not usually cause any problems with the menstrual cycle, such as bleeding between periods.
Pressure symptoms
Fibroids tend to enlarge the uterus. This may lead to lower abdominal discomfort or backache, or may press on the bladder causing such as needing to pass urine more often than normal. The uterus may also press on the rectum causing constipation. Some women experience pain or discomfort (dyspareunia) during sexual intercourse because of fibroids.
Problems with fertility
Fibroids can affect the shape and internal environment of the uterus. They can make it more difficult to conceive but they only account for about 3% of the total cases of infertility.
Pain
Fibroids can cause discomfort because of pressure symptoms. Heavier periods can lead to increased period pains. Severe pain is quite rare but can occur if a fibroid grows on a stalk, which then twists (torsion) or if a fibroid outgrows its blood supply causing it to break down (degeneration).
If you have any of these symptoms, see your GP.
Fibroids are sometimes found when you’re having a gynaecological (vaginal) examination for a medical reason, or having investigations to see why you’re not getting pregnant.
Your GP will ask about your symptoms and your medical history. They will examine your lower abdomen and do a vaginal examination. To do this, your GP will put gloved, lubricated fingers into your vagina to gently feel for anything different in your womb or cervix. At the same time, they will use their other hand to press on the lower part of your abdomen.
If your doctor thinks you may have fibroids, they may suggest you have further tests. These may include the following:
- A blood test to check if you have anaemia.
- An ultrasound scan. You’ll probably have a scan that looks at your womb from the outside, through your lower abdomen, and from the inside using a device that goes into your vagina. The scan may feel uncomfortable but it shouldn’t be painful.
- A hysteroscopy. A hysteroscopy is a procedure to look inside your womb (uterus). It’s done with a narrow tube-like telescope with a camera called a hysteroscope. Your doctor can take a small sample or tissue (biopsy) at the same time. This can be done with you awake under local anaesthetic or with a short general anaesthetic. Small fibroids in the inside of your womb can sometimes be removed at the same time.
- A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. A MRI scan can show a lot of detail about your fibroids and can be a useful test to have before surgery.
- Laparoscopy. This is a test which shows your surgeon what the inside of your abdomen and the outside of your womb look like. A small camera is put into your abdomen through a small cut. As well as looking at your womb, your surgeon can also take samples of tissue (biopsies) to check whether you have fibroids.
Doctors don’t know for sure what causes fibroids. But it’s thought that certain hormones, such as oestrogen and progesterone, may encourage them to grow.
You're more likely to get fibroids:
- as you grow older – your risk increases the closer you are to the menopause
- if you go through puberty at an early age
- if you’re overweight
- if you’re African-Caribbean – women of this background are three times more likely than Caucasian women to get fibroids
- if you don’t have any children
The treatment that’s best for you will depend on whether you have symptoms, how bad these are, and whether you want to have children in the future.
Your treatment choices will also depend on where your fibroids are, how big they are and how many you have. If you don't have any symptoms, or if your symptoms are mild, you may not need any treatment. But if you have more severe symptoms, there’s a range of treatment options that may help.
Medicines
There are no long-term medicines that can cure fibroids, but they can help to ease your symptoms. The following type of medicines may help:
- Over-the-counter painkillers. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) medicines, such as ibuprofen, can help to ease your pain. If you need to take these medicines for a long time, or if they’re not working well enough, see your doctor.
- Medicines that reduce heavy bleeding. These include tranexamic acid, progesterone and levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (an IUS). An IUS is a contraceptive device that goes inside your womb and releases hormones over several years. It can help to reduce the bleeding you have during your period, and it may also help to shrink your fibroids.
- Medicines that shrink your fibroids. Medicines called gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues (GnRH analogues) can lower your oestrogen levels, which usually shrinks fibroids. If you're having an operation to remove your fibroids, your doctor may prescribe these for a few months beforehand. They can give you symptoms similar to the menopause, such as hot flushes and mood swings. However, there are increased risks of harmful side effects such as osteoporosis (thinning of the bones) if they are given for more than six months.
Always read the patient information leaflet that comes with your medicine or ask your pharmacist or your doctor for advice.
Surgery
There are a number of different operations and procedures that can either treat or remove fibroids. They fall into two groups: those that are an option if you want to have a baby in the future, and those that are an option if you don’t.
If you want to have a baby in the future, your surgeon will suggest a myomectomy. This is an operation to remove your fibroids, but which leaves your womb in place. You can have the operation done through a cut in your abdomen (tummy), or sometimes it may be possible for your surgeon to use keyhole (laparoscopic) surgery.
There is a risk of serious bleeding during a myomectomy. If this happens you might need a hysterectomy, an operation to remove your whole womb. There is also a chance that the fibroids will grow back again. If you don’t want to have a baby in the future, there are several choices. These include the following”
- A hysterectomy. This is an operation to remove your womb. It can be done through a cut in your abdomen, using keyhole surgery or through your vagina. Having a hysterectomy means you will get rid of all your fibroids and they won’t grow back.
- Endometrial ablation. This is a procedure which removes the lining of your womb to reduce heavy bleeding when you have your period. It can treat fibroids on the inside wall of your womb.
- Uterine artery embolisation (UAE). This procedure is where small particles are injected into the blood vessels that supply your fibroids. This blocks the blood supply and the fibroid then shrinks. This can help to ease your symptoms. Because you have your womb, in theory you could get pregnant after it. The effects of the surgery on your fertility or any pregnancy aren’t certain, so, it may be less likely to be used as an option if you want to have a baby.
- Magnetic resonance imaging-guided ultrasound surgery. This is a relatively new procedure, where ultrasound waves are used to destroy fibroids.
Complications can include:
- constipation and problems passing urine, caused by large fibroids pressing on your bladder or bowel
- anaemia, caused by long-term heavy bleeding
- difficulty getting pregnant (infertility)
- difficulties when you’re giving birth to a baby, such as breech position
- fibroids that are on stalks can twist and this can be painful – you may need an operation to remove the fibroid
Will the symptoms of fibroids improve after I’ve gone through the menopause?
Yes, fibroids tend to shrink after the menopause so your symptoms should improve.
After the menopause, the amount of the hormone oestrogen in your body decreases. This will usually cause your fibroids to gradually shrink, and in turn, your symptoms should lessen or go away completely.
This information was published by Bupa Group's Health Content Team and has been reviewed by appropriate medical or clinical professionals. To the best of their knowledge the information is current and based on reputable sources of medical evidence, however Bupa (Asia) Limited makes no representation or warranty as to the completeness or accuracy of the Content.
The information on this page, and any information on third party websites referred to on this page, is provided as a guide only. It should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional medical advice, nor is it intended to be used for medical diagnosis or treatment. Bupa (Asia) Limited is not liable for any loss or damage you suffer arising out of the use of, or reliance on, the information.
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- Women's Health Concern www.womens-health-concern.org
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