Causes The cause of fibroids is not known; however, their development seems to be associated with the female hormone, estrogen. Fibroids appear during the childbearing years when a woman’s estrogen levels are high.
Symptoms
▪ Abdominal, pelvic, or lower back pain that can be severe, episodic, or constant
▪ Abdominal pressure
▪ Abdominal swelling, distension or bloating
▪ Heavy bleeding during menstrual period (menorrhagia)
▪ Longer than normal menstrual periods
▪ Pain during sexual intercourse
▪ Vaginal bleeding between menstrual periods
Treatments
▪ Hormones to regulate the menstrual cycle or to reduce symptoms such as oral contraceptive pills
▪ Hysterectomy (removal of the uterus)
▪ Hysteroscopic removal of the uterine fibroids using a hysteroscope (instrument to visualize the endometrial cavity)
▪ Intrauterine device to release progestin within uterus to stop bleeding and pain
▪ Pain control medications, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol)
▪ Uterine artery embolization (procedure that interrupts the blood supply to fibroids)
Prevention By Mayo Clinic Staff : Although researchers continue to study the causes of fibroid tumors, little scientific evidence is available on how to prevent them. Preventing uterine fibroids may not be possible, but only a small percentage of these tumors require treatment.