Uterine fibroids:
what are they?

Uterine fibroids:
what are they?

Trying to figure out what’s going on with your body, but not sure what’s even in there? You’ve come to the right place.

Get to know your uterus

First things first. To know a fibroid, you need to know where they grow.

1. Fallopian Tube – one of two tubes along which eggs travel from the ovaries to the uterus
2. Uterine cavity – the space inside the uterus (better known as the womb)
3. Ovary – reproductive organ in which ova or eggs are produced
4. Endometrium – the mucous membrane lining the uterus; it thickens during the menstrual cycle to prepare for possible implantation of an embryo
5. Myometrium – the muscular outer layer of the uterus
6. Cervix – the lower, narrow end of the uterus that connects the uterus to the vagina
7. Vagina – the elastic, muscular part of the female genital tract

Fibroid facts and stats

will develop fibroids sometime during their childbearing years

is the average time that women with fibroids wait to seek treatment

know that a hysterectomy is not the only way to treat uterine fibroids

What are fibroids?

Fibroids defined

Fibroids are noncancerous tumors that grow in the smooth muscle cells of the uterus.

Where do fibroids come from?

The cause of fibroids isn’t well understood. Risk factors include but are not limited to age, race, obesity, and family history of uterine fibroids.

Are fibroids common?

Up to 77% of women will develop fibroids sometime during their childbearing years.1

What do fibroids do?

Symptoms

  • Heavy and painful or prolonged periods
  • Stomach, lower back and pelvic pain
  • Anemia
  • Stomach protrusion
  • G.I. issues like gas and constipation
  • Infertility and pregnancy loss
  • Painful sex
  • Frequent urination

Types and sizes of fibroids

Some are big, some are small, some women have a lot, some have just one.

Fibroids are classified by where they are in the uterus, and are often expressed by diameter, in centimeters. They can also be expressed in number of weeks pregnant — comparing the size of the uterus and fibroids to the size of a uterus and fetus.

Fibroid size comparison

Fibroids can range in size from a sweet pea (0.5 cm) to a watermelon (50 cm). At the size of a sweet pea, a fibroid equates to about 6 weeks pregnant, while a watermelon is about 40 weeks — a full term pregnancy!

Fibroids classified

Doctors classify fibroids by where they are in the uterus, either within the uterine wall, in the uterine cavity, or bulging outside the uterus.

1. Subserosal* – On the outer wall of the uterus; can cause bulk or pressure symptoms
2. Pedunculated – Grow on a thin stalk (less common)
3. Intramural* – Within the muscular walls of the uterus; can cause bulk or pressure symptoms
4. Submucosal* – Found inside the body or abutting the uterine cavity; can cause heavy bleeding (least common)

*Fibroid types that can be treated with Hologic’s Acessa procedure

Fighting fibroids

Historically, watchful waiting, medication, and hysterectomies were the only solution for treating fibroids. But that was then. Today, there are treatment options that are proactive and far less invasive than removing your uterus. Talk to your doctor about which options could be right for you.

Learn about treatment options
Take the symptoms quiz

Heavy periods

Heavy periods, or abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB), is super common. It’s often caused by…you guessed it, fibroids! But it could be related to other conditions as well. Get to know a little more about your U, learn about AUB and heavy periods, and don’t forget to ask your doctor about other potential causes of your symptoms.

Learn about heavy periods

Important Safety Information

The Acessa ProVu system is intended to identify and shrink symptomatic uterine fibroids. The Acessa ProVu system is used by trained physicians during laparoscopic surgery under general anesthesia. Rare but serious risks of this procedure include, but are not limited to, infection, internal injury, blood loss and complications related to laparoscopic surgery and/or general anesthesia. This procedure is not recommended for women who are planning future pregnancy. This information is not medical advice. Please discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor to find out if the Acessa procedure may be right for you.

MyoSure tissue removal system is intended to remove unwanted tissue from the uterus. During a MyoSure procedure, a trained gynecologist inserts the MyoSure device through your vagina and then removes the unwanted tissue from inside the uterus. Use of the MyoSure system is not appropriate for patients who are or may be pregnant, or have signs or symptoms of a pelvic infection, cervical cancer, or previously diagnosed uterine cancer. As with any surgical procedure, there are potential risks including but not limited to internal injury, excessive bleeding, and complications related to anesthesia. Temporary side effects may include cramping, bleeding, fever, and nausea. This information is not medical advice. Please discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor to find out if the MyoSure procedure may be right for you.

References:

  1. Johns Hopkins. Fibroids. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/condiJons-and-diseases/uterine-fibroids. Accessed February 20, 2019
  2. Borah, Bijan J. et al. The impact of uterine leiomyomas: a naJonal survey of affected women, American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, October 2013, Volume 209, Issue 4, 319.e1—319.e20. Wise LA, Laughlin-Tommaso SK. Clin Obstet Gynecol. 2016;59(1):2-24. Alexander AL, et al. Obstet Gynecol. 2019;133(1):6-12
  3. This survey was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of Hologic between May 10-12, 2022 among 997 female adults ages 18+, among whom 815 are females ages 30+.