Uterine Fibroids
What is Uterine Fibroids?
Uterine fibroids are noncancerous growths that develop in or on the uterus. These benign tumors are made of muscle and fibrous tissue. They can range from the size of a pea to the size of a melon or larger.
Fibroids are extremely common. Up to 80% of women develop them by age 50. Many women never know they have fibroids because they cause no symptoms. Others experience heavy bleeding, pelvic pressure, or pain that affects their daily life.
While fibroids are not cancerous and rarely become cancer, they can cause significant discomfort. Understanding your risk factors and monitoring your health can help you make informed decisions about treatment. Blood tests like CA-125 can help track changes over time.
Symptoms
Many women with uterine fibroids have no symptoms at all. When symptoms do occur, they vary based on the size, number, and location of the fibroids. Common signs include:
- Heavy menstrual bleeding or periods lasting more than 7 days
- Pelvic pain or pressure that feels like fullness or heaviness
- Frequent urination or difficulty emptying the bladder
- Constipation or bloating
- Pain during intercourse
- Lower back pain or leg pain
- Enlarged abdomen or visible swelling
Some women have no symptoms until fibroids grow large enough to cause noticeable changes. Regular monitoring helps catch changes early.
Concerned about Uterine Fibroids? Check your levels.
Screen for 1,200+ health conditions
Causes and risk factors
The exact cause of uterine fibroids remains unclear, but research points to several contributing factors. Hormones play a key role. Estrogen and progesterone, which stimulate the uterine lining during each menstrual cycle, appear to promote fibroid growth. Fibroids contain more estrogen and progesterone receptors than normal uterine muscle cells. They often shrink after menopause when hormone levels drop.
Genetic factors also matter. Women with family members who have fibroids face higher risk. Other risk factors include being of African American descent, being overweight, starting periods at a young age, and having a diet high in red meat and low in green vegetables. Vitamin D deficiency may also increase risk. Age is a factor too, with fibroids most common during the 30s and 40s.
How it's diagnosed
Doctors typically discover fibroids during routine pelvic exams when they feel irregularities in the uterus. To confirm the diagnosis and assess size and location, imaging tests are usually needed. Ultrasound is the most common first step. MRI provides more detailed images when needed.
Blood tests can support diagnosis and monitoring. CA-125 is a protein marker that can be elevated in women with fibroids. While CA-125 is more commonly associated with ovarian conditions, it can also rise with uterine fibroids. Rite Aid offers CA-125 testing as an addon to help you track this marker over time. Your doctor may also order a complete blood count to check for anemia from heavy bleeding.
Treatment options
Treatment depends on symptoms, fibroid size, location, and whether you want to preserve fertility. Options include:
- Watchful waiting for small fibroids without symptoms
- Iron supplements to treat anemia from heavy bleeding
- Anti-inflammatory medications to reduce pain and cramping
- Hormonal birth control to manage heavy bleeding
- GnRH agonists to shrink fibroids before surgery
- Dietary changes including more vegetables, fruits, and vitamin D
- Maintaining healthy weight through balanced nutrition
- Minimally invasive procedures like uterine artery embolization
- Surgical removal of fibroids or, in severe cases, hysterectomy
- MRI-guided focused ultrasound to destroy fibroid tissue
Many women find relief through lifestyle changes and medication. Surgery is reserved for severe cases that do not respond to other treatments.
Need testing for Uterine Fibroids? Add it to your panel.
- Simple blood draw at your nearest lab
- Results in days, not weeks
- Share results with your doctor
Frequently asked questions
Many women have no early signs at all. When symptoms appear, heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding is often the first noticeable sign. You might also feel pelvic pressure or fullness that seems different from normal menstrual discomfort. Some women notice their abdomen looks slightly swollen or larger than usual.
Fibroids often shrink naturally after menopause when hormone levels drop. During reproductive years, fibroids rarely disappear on their own. They may grow, shrink slightly, or stay the same size. Monitoring them regularly helps you and your doctor decide if treatment is needed.
No, many fibroids require no treatment at all. If you have no symptoms or only mild discomfort, your doctor may recommend watchful waiting. Treatment is typically needed only when fibroids cause heavy bleeding, severe pain, fertility problems, or other symptoms that affect your quality of life.
Most women with fibroids can get pregnant without problems. However, fibroids can sometimes interfere with fertility or pregnancy depending on their size and location. Fibroids inside the uterine cavity are most likely to cause issues. Talk to your doctor if you have fibroids and are planning to conceive.
CA-125 is a protein marker that can be elevated in women with uterine fibroids. While it does not diagnose fibroids on its own, it can help monitor changes over time. Tracking CA-125 alongside imaging tests provides a more complete picture of your uterine health.
No, uterine fibroids are benign, meaning they are not cancerous. Fewer than 1 in 1,000 fibroids turn into cancer. However, it is important to monitor any unusual symptoms or rapid growth. Your doctor can help distinguish between benign fibroids and other conditions.
Eating more vegetables, fruits, and whole grains may help manage fibroids. Reducing red meat intake and maintaining a healthy weight can also make a difference. Getting adequate vitamin D through sunlight or supplements may lower risk. Regular physical activity supports hormonal balance and overall health.
Testing frequency depends on your symptoms and fibroid size. Women with symptoms typically see their doctor every 3 to 6 months for monitoring. If you have no symptoms, annual checkups are usually enough. Your doctor may recommend more frequent CA-125 testing if levels are elevated or changing.
Yes, hormonal birth control can reduce heavy menstrual bleeding and cramping caused by fibroids. Pills, patches, or hormonal IUDs help regulate your cycle and thin the uterine lining. However, they do not shrink fibroids themselves. They manage symptoms while you and your doctor decide on long-term treatment.
See a doctor if you have pelvic pain that does not go away, very heavy or prolonged periods, spotting between periods, or difficulty emptying your bladder. Also seek care if you notice sudden severe pain, which could indicate a fibroid losing its blood supply. Early evaluation leads to better treatment options.