Uterine fibroids are the most common, non-cancerous tumors in women of childbearing age. The fibroids are made of muscle cells and other tissues that grow within and around the wall of the uterus.
There are several risk factors for uterine fibroids:
• African American woman are at three- to five-times greater risk than white women for fibroids.
• Women who are overweight or obese for their height are at greater risk.
• Women who have given birth are a lower risk.
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Many women with uterine fibroids have no symptoms. Symptoms of uterine fibroids can include:
• Heavy or painful periods, or bleeding between periods
• Feeling “full” in the lower abdomen
• Urinating often
• Pain during sex
• Lower back pain
• Reproductive problems, such as infertility, multiple miscarriages, or early labor
• Most women with fibroids do not have problems with fertility and can get pregnant. Some women with fibroids may not be able to get pregnant naturally. But advances in treatments for infertility may help some of these women get pregnant.
If you have uterine fibroids, but show no symptoms, you may not need any treatment.
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Women who have pain and other symptoms might benefit from these treatments:
• Medications can offer relief from the symptoms of fibroids and even slow or stop their growth. But, once you stop taking the medicine, the fibroids often grow back.
There are several types of fibroid surgery:
• Myomectomy – Removes only the fibroids and leaves the healthy areas of the uterus in place
• Uterine Artery Embolization (UAE) – Cuts off the blood supply to the uterus and fibroids, making them shrink
• Hysterectomy – A more major procedure that removes the uterus; this type of surgery is the only sure way to cure fibroids.
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