| Uterine fibroids | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Uterine leiomyoma, uterine myoma, myoma, fibromyoma, fibroleiomyoma |
 | |
| Uterine fibroids as seen during laparoscopic surgery | |
| Specialty | Gynecology |
| Symptoms | Painful or heavy periods[1] |
| Complications | Infertility[1] |
| Usual onset | Middle and later reproductive years[1] |
| Causes | Unknown[1] |
| Risk factors | Family history, obesity, eating red meat[1] |
| Diagnostic method | Pelvic examination, medical imaging[1] |
| Differential diagnosis | Leiomyosarcoma, pregnancy, ovarian cyst, ovarian cancer[2] |
| Treatment | Medications, surgery, uterine artery embolization[1] |
| Medication | Ibuprofen, paracetamol (acetaminophen), iron supplements, gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist[1] |
| Prognosis | Improve after menopause[1] |
| Frequency | ~50% of women by age 50[1] |
Uterine fibroids, also known as uterine leiomyomas, fibromyoma or fibroids, are benign smooth muscle tumors of the uterus, part of the female reproductive system.[1] Most women[note 1] with fibroids have no symptoms while others may have painful or heavy periods.[1] If large enough, they may push on the bladder, causing a frequent need to urinate.[1] They may also cause pain during penetrative sex or lower back pain.[1][3] Someone can have one uterine fibroid or many.[1] It is uncommon but possible that fibroids may make it difficult to become pregnant.[1]
The exact cause of uterine fibroids is unclear.[1] However, fibroids run in families and appear to be partly determined by hormone levels.[1] Risk factors include obesity and eating red meat.[1] Diagnosis can be performed by pelvic examination or medical imaging.[1]
Treatment is typically not needed if there are no symptoms.[1] NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen, may help with pain and bleeding while paracetamol (acetaminophen) may help with pain.[1][4] Iron supplements may be needed in those with heavy periods.[1] Medications of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist class may decrease the size of the fibroids but are expensive and associated with side effects.[1] If greater symptoms are present, surgery to remove the fibroid or uterus may help.[1] Uterine artery embolization may also help.[1] Cancerous versions of fibroids are very rare and are known as leiomyosarcomas.[1] They do not appear to develop from benign fibroids.[1]
About 20% to 80% of women develop fibroids by the age of 50.[1] In 2013, it was estimated that 171 million women were affected worldwide.[5] They are typically found during the middle and later reproductive years.[1] After menopause, they usually decrease in size.[1] In the United States, uterine fibroids are a common reason for surgical removal of the uterus.[6]
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae "Uterine fibroids fact sheet". Office on Women's Health. January 15, 2015. Archived from the original on 7 July 2015. Retrieved 26 June 2015.
- ^ Ferri FF (2010). Ferri's differential diagnosis : a practical guide to the differential diagnosis of symptoms, signs, and clinical disorders (2nd ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier/Mosby. p. Chapter U. ISBN 978-0-323-07699-9.
- ^ "Uterine Fibroids | Fibroids | MedlinePlus". Retrieved 2018-11-07.
- ^ Kashani BN, Centini G, Morelli SS, Weiss G, Petraglia F (July 2016). "Role of Medical Management for Uterine Leiomyomas". Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol. 34: 85–103. doi:10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2015.11.016. hdl:11365/1031597. PMID 26796059.
- ^ Global Burden of Disease Study 2013 (5 June 2015). "Global, regional, and national incidence, prevalence, and years lived with disability for 301 acute and chronic diseases and injuries in 188 countries, 1990-2013: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2013". Lancet. 386 (9995): 743–800. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(15)60692-4. PMC 4561509. PMID 26063472.
- ^ Wallach EE, Vlahos NF (August 2004). "Uterine myomas: an overview of development, clinical features, and management". Obstet Gynecol. 104 (2): 393–406. doi:10.1097/01.AOG.0000136079.62513.39. PMID 15292018. S2CID 45013410.
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