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Uterine fibroids

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment

Alternative Names:

Leiomyoma; Fibromyoma; Myoma; Fibroids

Symptoms:

• Sensation of fullness or pressure in lower abdomen
• Pelvic cramping or pain with periods
• Abdominal fullness, gas
• Increase in urinary frequency
• Heavy menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia), sometimes with the passage of blood clots
• Sudden, severe pain due to a pedunculated fibroid

Note: There are often no symptoms.

Signs and tests:

A pelvic examination may reveal an irregularly shaped, lumpy, or enlarged uterus. Frequently, this diagnosis is reliable. In some cases, diagnosis of fibroids is difficult, especially in obese women. Fibroid tumors have been mistaken for ovarian tumors, inflammation of the fallopian tubes, and pregnancy.

A transvaginal ultrasound or pelvic ultrasound may be performed to confirm the findings.

A D and C or a pelvic laparoscopy may be necessary to rule out potentially cancerous conditions.

References:

L Speroff, M Fitz.  Clinical Gynecologic Endocrinology and Infertility . 7th ed. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2004.

Casini ML, Rossi F, Agostini R, Unfer V. Effects of the position of fibroids on fertility. Gynecol Endocrinol . 2006 Feb;22(2):106-9.

• Review Date: 5/15/2006
• Reviewed By: Melanie N. Smith, M.D., Ph.D., Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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