Uterine fibroids affect up to 80% of women.
However, persistent myths and misinformation about these all-too-common tumors often stand in the way of timely diagnosis and effective treatment. They can also prevent women from speaking about their symptoms or exploring the least-invasive treatment options available.
These misconceptions are more than frustrating— they can be dangerous.
In this post, we address common fibroid myths and provide accurate, actionable information to help you make informed healthcare decisions with confidence.
One of the most common fibroid myths is that these uterine tumors are always cancerous, but that’s simply not the case.
Most people associate any tumor with cancer. When they hear uterine fibroids described as tumors, they mistakenly assume they are cancerous.
In almost all cases, uterine fibroids are benign (non-cancerous) growths formed out of muscular uterine tissue.
Typically, what causes fibroids involves a variety of factors, including:
In contrast, cancerous tumors in the uterus form due to the overgrowth of malignant cells.
Another common fibroid myth is that they always cause intrusive symptoms. However, many women who develop fibroids never experience a single symptom.
Smaller tumors can develop in your uterus without noticeable symptoms. However, over time, they may grow larger and lead to issues like pain, heavy bleeding, and more. When this happens, treatment may be necessary to resolve symptoms and help restore your quality of life.
While some fibroids are asymptomatic, many women with these benign uterine tumors experience one or more of the following symptoms:
These symptoms can sometimes be managed with lifestyle changes such as stress management, gentle exercise, or dietary adjustments. If these steps don’t provide enough relief, consult a healthcare professional to find out which treatment option is best for you.
While fibroids can contribute to infertility, it’s a myth that they always do. Many women conceive while living with fibroids, though these tumors can still impact their fertility journey.
Fibroids can make it more difficult to conceive in several different ways. Depending on their location, uterine fibroid tumors can interfere with embryo fertilization or implantation.
Even if you do conceive with fibroids, you may face subsequent complications during pregnancy, labor, or delivery.
If you’ve been living with fibroids and are struggling to conceive, uterine tumors could be contributing to your challenges.
Consider discussing fertility-preserving fibroid treatment options with your healthcare provider or fertility specialist. Common treatments include myomectomy and uterine fibroid embolization (UFE).
Yes, most uterine fibroids shrink after menopause due to a decrease in estrogen hormone levels. However, some women may still experience fibroid issues and symptoms depending on their size and location.
Higher levels of estrogen and progesterone are linked to fibroid growth. After menopause, which is defined as twelve consecutive months without menstrual periods, hormone levels naturally decline, leading many women to experience fibroid shrinkage and symptom relief.
Larger fibroids may not shrink enough during menopause to provide symptom relief. Additionally, women taking hormone replacement therapy to manage menopause symptoms may experience renewed fibroid growth and worsening symptoms.
Fibroids do not always require removal to alleviate symptoms. Other treatment options can help manage your symptom burden, disproving the myth that a hysterectomy is the only solution.
Women with fibroids may find relief through oral medications, including hormonal birth control, which helps manage symptoms like heavy bleeding and menstrual cramps. Additionally, minimally invasive procedures, such as UFE, can shrink fibroids without the need for invasive surgery.
For some women, fibroid embolization may not be an option. However, you can still avoid a hysterectomy with a myomectomy, the surgical removal of individual fibroid tumors.
The exact cause of fibroids remains unknown, making it a myth that these tumors develop due to unmanaged stress or poor lifestyle habits.
Research has identified several factors that contribute to fibroid growth and development. These include:
Your genetic history can also play a role in your fibroid risk. Women whose mothers, grandmothers, or sisters developed fibroids are more likely to experience tumor growth. Additionally, certain gene mutations may increase your fibroid risk, but this potential cause of fibroid growth is still under investigation.
While fibroids can disrupt your daily activities, they are not cancerous and are rarely considered a serious medical concern.
As previously mentioned, fibroid tumors are different from cancerous growths. While cancer forms in clusters of malignant cells, fibroid tumors develop from the muscular uterine tissue.
Though fibroids are not cancerous, common symptoms like heavy bleeding and pelvic pain could also indicate other conditions, including endometriosis, adenomyosis, and certain types of uterine cancers.
It’s important to share all your symptoms with a healthcare provider to ensure an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
While some fibroids may never grow larger, others can increase if left untreated. Monitoring your tumors and symptoms closely can help guide you in considering treatment options.
Not all uterine tumors will grow, and fibroid symptoms may or may not worsen without treatment. Every woman’s experience is unique, so tracking your symptoms can help you determine whether they’ve changed over time.
Changes in hormone levels, particularly during pregnancy, can impact fibroid growth. For that reason, many women prefer to treat fibroids before conceiving to avoid worsening tumor growth.
While untreated tumors may increase in size, it’s a fibroid myth that surgery is your only treatment option.
A minimally invasive UFE procedure can help shrink tumors and relieve pain by cutting off the blood supply that fuels fibroid growth. Medications, like birth control, can help regulate hormone levels, providing relief from symptoms like heavy bleeding and menstrual cramps.
Fibroids are most common in women in their 30s and 40s but can develop at any age. Black women, in particular, are more likely to develop fibroids at a younger age. They are also at a higher risk for more severe symptoms.
When younger women develop fibroids, fertility preservation is a key consideration when researching treatment options. Many treatments, such as myomectomy and UFE, can preserve your uterus, allowing for potential conception after treatment.
Your risk for fibroid tumors increases in your 30s and 40s. Many women with fibroids find relief when they enter menopause, which typically happens in their 50s. However, fibroids can affect women of all ages. If you are struggling with fibroid symptoms, we encourage you to request a consultation with the interventional radiologists at the Dallas Fibroid Center.
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