Fibroid tumors, also called leiomyomas or fibromyomas, refer to a growth of abnormal cells in the uterus. According to the Mayo Clinic, they are benign (noncancerous) tumors that occur in three out of every four women in the United States.
Symptoms
Medline Plus states that symptoms of a fibroid tumor include gas, constipation, cramps during your period and pain during sexual intercourse. Call your doctor if you experience these symptoms.
Cause
According to the Mayo Clinic, the cause of fibroid tumors is unclear. Genetics, estrogen and progesterone (hormones that prepare the womb for pregnancy) and chemicals like insulin-like growth factor are thought to contribute to the development of fibroid tumors.
Diagnosis
To find out whether you have a fibroid tumor, your doctor will perform a pelvic exam. According to Medline Plus, this is a reliable way to find a fibroid tumor. A pelvic ultrasound (probe placed into the vagina to visualize the uterus via sound waves) and a pelvic MRI can help confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment
The treatments for fibroid tumors are numerous. According to the Mayo Clinic, the best treatment is to watch and wait. Fibroids are benign, slow-growing and regress later in age. You can also obtain a progestin-releasing intrauterine device (IUD) to curb the bleeding and pain caused by fibroid tumors. Hysterectomy (total removal of the uterus), myomectomy (removal of the fibroid tumors) and myolyis (use of a laser to destroy fibroids) are some treatment options.
Complications
According to Medline Plus, pregnant women may deliver their babies prematurely due to the presence of fibroids. Also, women may suffer from heavy bleeding and urinary tract infections. In rare cases, the fibroma can turn cancerous and become a leiomyosarcoma.
