Have you recently been diagnosed with fibroids? Here’s the startling fact: as many as 8 in 10 women develop fibroids by the age of 50.1 Although this means you’re far from alone in suffering from fibroids, it can still be upsetting to get the news, and you may feel uncertain as to what you’re dealing with.
It’s normal to have questions—in fact, it’s good! It means you’re invested in your health and seeking out information that will best prepare you for moving forward. Let’s go over five frequently asked questions from women like you who are suffering from fibroids.
(Tip: You may want to start with our Fibroids 101 blog, which covers the fibroid basics—what they are, possible symptoms, and some of the risk factors. Then come back here. We’ll wait… 😊)
Five Frequently Asked Questions About Fibroids
1. I have fibroids—does this mean I have cancer or will develop cancer?
Take a deep breath and exhale…fibroids are almost always not cancerous.2 The chances that a cancerous fibroid will occur are less than 1 in 1,000.1 Having fibroids does not increase the risk of developing a cancerous fibroid, nor does it increase a woman’s chances of getting other forms of cancer in the uterus.1
2. Can my fibroids affect my chances of getting pregnant?
Most fibroids don’t interfere with getting pregnant, but it is possible that some fibroids could cause infertility or pregnancy loss.2 Fibroids may also raise the risk of certain pregnancy complications (such as placental abruption, fetal growth restriction, and preterm delivery).2
All of that said, most women with fibroids have normal pregnancies and do not need to see an obstetrician who deals with high-risk pregnancies.1 But if you have fibroids and become pregnant, tell your doctor. All obstetricians have experience dealing with fibroids and pregnancy.1
3. Do I need treatment for my fibroids?
Deciding if treatment is required depends on your individual circumstances. It’s possible your doctor discovered your fibroids during your regular pelvic exam. If this is the case and you aren’t experiencing symptoms (or your symptoms are very mild and not interfering with daily life), you and your doctor may decide treatment isn’t necessary right now—or maybe not at all. Your doctor would keep an eye on your fibroids at regular appointments and determine if future action is needed.
However, if your fibroids are causing bothersome or painful symptoms, treatment may be recommended. As there are risks and benefits to all treatments, your doctor would help you decide what the best option is given your specific situation.
4. Does treatment for fibroids require a hysterectomy?
No, fibroid treatment does not always equal a hysterectomy. In many cases, there are other treatments to consider that allow women to keep their uterus. Advances in medicine have led to several options–including non-surgical methods like birth control pills or IUD as well as minimally invasive surgeries like laparoscopic radiofrequency ablation, laparoscopic myomectomy, and hysteroscopic myomectomy.1,2 Some of these treatments work by shrinking or destroying the fibroid, which can help reduce or eliminate the symptoms caused by fibroids.
Treatment depends on the size, volume, and severity of your fibroids as well as your health and lifestyle preferences.
5. How can I avoid getting fibroids in the future?
Unfortunately, fibroids are a bit of a mystery. We don’t know exactly what causes them1—which means we don’t know exactly how to prevent them either.
Here’s what we do know:
- Fibroids are under hormonal control—both estrogen and progesterone1
- Fibroids shrink when anti-hormone medication is used, and they also stop growing or shrink once a woman reaches menopause1
- Healthy lifestyle choices, such as maintaining a healthy weight and eating fruits and vegetables, may decrease your fibroid risk2
Hopefully future research will help us learn more about fibroids. But for now, the most important thing to remember is that treatment options are available. If you’re suffering from fibroid symptoms, it’s time to take action. Talk to your doctor to determine which treatment could be right for you.
Learn more about minimally invasive treatment options.
The Acessa® procedure (laparoscopic radiofrequency ablation) is not recommended for women who are planning future pregnancy.
References:
1. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Office on Women’s Health. Uterine fibroids. https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/uterine-fibroids. Accessed May 3, 2022.
2. Mayo Clinic. Uterine Fibroids: Symptoms & Causes. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/uterine-fibroids/symptoms-causes/syc-20354288. Accessed May 3, 2022.