Uterine Fibroids

Many women develop uterine fibroids — tumors that grow in the uterine wall or cavity — at some time in their lives. In fact, it's one of the most common medical conditions affecting women. Fortunately, fibroids are almost always non-cancerous.

It's not known what causes fibroids to grow, but they appear to be linked to estrogen production. The incidence of these tumors is greater in women who are hypertensive than in normotensive women. They usually develop from a single cell that begins to grow rapidly. The fibroids can be so small that they can't be seen without a microscope or can grow as large as 20 inches. Some women develop a single fibroid, while others develop numerous fibroids.

Since the cause is not known, it's unclear what factors put women at greater risk for developing fibroids. What is known is that most fibroids develop during a woman's reproductive years. They rarely occur before a girl begins menstruation and tend to stabilize or shrink in women past menopause. African American women are two to three times more likely to be diagnosed with fibroids.

Most fibroids cause no symptoms. In the past, hysterectomies were commonly performed in women whose fibroids caused problems. Many physicians now advocate observation rather than treatment. If symptoms worsen or a woman plans to become pregnant, treatment with medications or surgery may be necessary. Fortunately, even if fibroids cause fertility problems, removing them generally restores fertility.

What to Do

Talk to your doctor if you have any of the symptoms of fibroids; if you experience more menstrual pain or discomfort than normal; or if you have difficulty conceiving.

Use Medicine Effectively

Use a mild, over-the-counter anti-inflammatory or pain medication to reduce occasional pain or discomfort.

Self-care Steps for Uterine Fibroids

• Don't dismiss your painful menstrual symptoms as normal. Track your symptoms so you can tell your doctor when you have symptoms, what type of symptoms you have and how intense the symptoms are.

• Improve your diet. A healthy diet may protect against fibroids. In one study, researchers found that those most likely to develop fibroids ate more red meat and fewer green vegetables than those who did not have these tumors.