Women's Health

In most women, fibroids do not lead to cancer. Rarely, however, fibroids can turn into a cancer called a leiomyosarcoma. This happens to an estimated 1 in 1,000 women who have fibroids. Some cancerous tumors may develop directly from normal tissue in the uterus. The average age of women with leiomyosarcoma is 55. Warning signs of

Most women with fibroids have no more trouble becoming pregnant than women who do not have fibroids, and their risk of a bad pregnancy outcome is no higher. About 1 in every 15 women with infertility has fibroids, but the fibroids are usually innocent bystanders: They cause only 2% to 3% of cases of infertility.

If fibroids are not causing problems, regular checkups may be the only management they need. This is called watchful waiting. The doctor examines a woman two or three times a year to see if the fibroids are growing and if they are beginning to cause problems. If the doctor cannot feel the woman’s ovaries during a

The treatment offered for fibroids will depend on whether or not the fibroids are causing any problems. If fibroids are not causing problems, they may need no treatment apart from regular medical checkups. This is called watchful waiting. The doctor examines a woman two or three times a year to see if the fibroids are

Several new procedures offer alternatives to hysterectomy or myomectomy, especially for the removal of smaller fibroids. An advantage of these new procedures is that they do not involve abdominal surgery. They may be performed on an outpatient basis, or they may require only an overnight hospital stay. Recovery time is usually quicker, too. However, because

Doctors may prescribe drugs called gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (GnRH agonists) to treat fibroids. Most fibroids shrink by one-third to one-half of their original size after two to three months of treatment with these drugs. Smaller fibroids may cause fewer problems and they are often easier to remove surgically. Women should not take GnRH agonists for more than

No treatment for fibroids is best for all women who have this problem. Every woman should discuss the treatment options with her doctor. The treatment that is best for any individual woman will depend on a variety of factors. Are the fibroids causing problems? Fibroids that are not causing problems may need no treatment at all.

Here are some frequently asked questions related to fibroids. Q: Can I take birth control pills if I have fibroids? A: Birth control pills contain estrogen. Higher levels of this hormonemay help fibroids to grow, although exactly how this might happen is not understood. Some doctors are concerned that taking birth control pills may cause fibroids to grow.

Here is a summary of the important facts and information related to fibroids. Fibroids are growths of tissue that are usually found in the wall of the uterus. They can be as small as a pinpoint or as large as a basketball. Although they are called tumors, fibroids are not cancerous. More than half of women

Here are definitions of medical terms related to fibroids. Anemia: Too few red blood cells in the blood. This results in too little oxygen getting to tissues and organs. Symptoms are feeling easily or always tired, lack of skin color, and getting frequent infections. Sometimes referred to as “low blood count.” Anesthesia: Loss of feeling or sensation

Here are some reliable sources that can provide more information on fibroids. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists  409 12th St., SW Washington, D.C.20024-2188 Phone: 202-638-5577 Online: http://www.acog.com ACOG is a professional association for obstetricians and gynecologists. Its resource center offers information for health care consumers on obstetric and gynecological health conditions.