Uterine Fibroids and Hysterectomy - Highlights

Highlights

Uterine Fibroids

Uterine fibroids, also called leimyomas or myomas, are non-cancerous growths that originate in the thick wall of the uterus. Fibroids are the most common type of tumor found in female reproductive organs. Uterine fibroids are very common, especially among African-American women.

Symptoms of Uterine Fibroids

Common symptoms of uterine fibroids may include:

• Heavy and prolonged menstrual bleeding
• Pressure and pain in the abdomen and lower back
• Frequent urination
• Constipation
• Pain during intercourse
• Some women with fibroids do not have any symptoms

Complications of Uterine Fibroids

---

---

• Fibroids can increase pregnancy complications and delivery risks.
• Anemia due to iron deficiency may result from heavy menstrual bleeding.
• Large fibroids may reduce fertility, although this is not very common.

Treatment

Many women with fibroids choose not to have treatment, especially if they are approaching the age of menopause. Fibroids grow slowly and usually shrink after menopause. Treatment includes various drug and surgical options.

Medications for Fibroids

• Continuous-dosing oral contraceptives can reduce or eliminate menstrual periods.
• Progestin-releasing intrauterine devices can help control excessive menstrual bleeding.. In 2009, the FDA approved the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (Mirena) for treatment of menorrhagia
• Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists reduce estrogen and progesterone levels, which diminishes the size of fibroids.

Surgical Options

Invasive and less-invasive surgical methods include:

• Myomectomy
• Uterine artery embolization
• Endometrial ablation
• Magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound (still not commonly available)
• Hysterectomy

Review Date: 07/26/2010
Reviewed By: Reviewed by Harvey Simon, MD, Editor-in-Chief, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).