Fibroids (leiomyomata uteri) are the most common benign tumors of the uterus. They usually come in a variety of shapes and sizes, as well as numbers, in the uterus. Very rarely do they turn to cancer – the exact incidence being less than 1% in a patient’s lifetime.

Women who are at risk usually;

have a family history
are Black or Hispanic and
may have an elevated Body Mass Index (BMI)

While there is still a lot to understand about the development of fibroids, they grow for two reasons:

1) hormones, in particular estrogen, and

2) blood supply

Fibroids can be located in different parts of the uterus. Just like real estate, it’s all about location, location, location! There are some fibroids that are located underneath the surface of the uterus, which are called subserosal; these generally do not cause bleeding but can cause pressure. There are those that are embedded in the muscle of the uterus, which are called intramural. Finally, there are those fibroids that affect the lining of the uterus, which are called submucosal, and these are the ones that usually present with excessive bleeding.

Symptoms and Tests

The most common symptoms of fibroids are heavy bleeding, pressure, increased frequency in urination, pelvic pain and infertility. Although, most fibroids do not usually cause pain, but if they outgrow their blood supply, it can cause pain due to degeneration (which means tissue breakdown). Fibroids are usually diagnosed with a pelvic exam and a pelvic sonogram. Transvaginal sonography is very good at detailing whether a fibroid is affecting the uterine lining or not.

Effects on Pregnancy

One of the most common questions that we do get from our readers is whether a fibroid patient can become pregnant with a fibroid. Again, location is key. Depending on where it is, whether it affects the cavity where the baby grows or blocks the fallopian tube
- See more at: http://www.planbwellness.com/fibroids-need-know/#sthash.ccSCTZ5c.dpuf

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