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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. 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.

Because 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.

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.

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.

When to see the doctor
These are symptoms that usually warrant a visit to your doctor:

• Heavy, painful bleeding during menstruation
• Bleeding between periods
• Anemia caused by blood loss during menstruation
• Fullness in the lower abdomen or back
• Frequent urination
• Painful intercourse
• Constipation
• Difficulty conceiving
• Miscarriage