Uterine fibroids are one of the most common health conditions affecting women of reproductive age. Despite their prevalence, misconceptions about fibroids can cause confusion or lead to unnecessary anxiety.
Rest easy because below, our Fresno Fibroid Center team debunks the top seven myths about fibroids.
Truth: While it’s true that some women with fibroids experience pain, not all fibroids cause symptoms.
Many women with asymptomatic fibroids might not even realize they have one until it’s discovered during a routine pelvic exam or ultrasound for other reasons.
For those who do experience discomfort, symptoms can vary ranging from mild pressure to severe cramping. The size, location, and number of fibroids can influence the severity of symptoms.
Fact: Fibroids are noncancerous (benign) growths of muscle and fibrous tissue.
It’s extremely rare for fibroids to become cancerous. Less than 1 in 1,000 fibroids are cancerous. The type of cancer most often associated with fibroids is called leiomyosarcoma, a rare and aggressive cancer that forms in smooth muscle tissue, such as the uterus. To put that into perspective, only about 6 out of every 1,000,000 women are diagnosed with uterine leiomyosarcoma.
While it’s important to monitor fibroids, especially if symptoms change, there’s no need to panic about cancer.
Fact: Although fibroids are most common in women in their 30s and 40s, they can affect women of all ages, including teenagers.
The risk of developing fibroids increases as women approach their 30s and 40s, but they’re not limited to older women. In fact, some women may develop fibroids even before they start having children.
Fact: While fibroids can impact fertility, they don’t always lead to infertility. Many women conceive and have healthy pregnancies even with small fibroids. However, large fibroids or those located near the uterus lining or fallopian tubes can interfere with conception.
If you’re struggling to get pregnant and have fibroids, it’s a good idea to talk to your Fresno Fibroid Center provider to determine if fibroids are impacting your ability to conceive.
Truth: Surgery, such as a hysterectomy or myomectomy, used to be the go-to treatment for fibroids, but there are now many alternatives available.
Here at Fresno Fibroid Center, Drs. Pruett, Tower, Balfour, and Ng specialize in minimally invasive procedures like trans-radial uterine fibroid embolization (UFE). You might consider UFE if you want a nonsurgical, fertility-sparing way to alleviate your fibroid symptoms.
Truth: Not all fibroids require medical intervention. Many fibroids are small, don’t cause symptoms, and don’t need to be treated.
If fibroids aren’t causing health problems, your Fresno Fibroid Center provider may recommend a “watch and wait” approach with regular monitoring. Only fibroids that cause significant symptoms or complications— like heavy bleeding, pelvic pain, anemia, pain in the back of your legs, or incontinence issues — typically require treatment.
Truth: Unfortunately, there’s no proven way to prevent uterine fibroids from developing. While the exact cause of fibroids isn’t completely understood, certain factors may increase the risk, including genetics and hormonal imbalances (particularly estrogen and progesterone).
Although lifestyle changes, such as maintaining a healthy weight and eating less red meat, can help protect you from fibroids, there’s no guaranteed method to prevent fibroids from forming.
Uterine fibroids are a common condition, but the myths surrounding them can make them seem more daunting than they really are. The good news is that you don’t have to deal with them on your own.
At Fresno Fibroid Center, our team sorts through the myths so you can get the answers you deserve — and the treatment you need.
To learn more about your fibroid treatment options, book an appointment online or request a free consultation at (559) 436-4737.
