Fibroids are growths that are made of muscle and other tissues. Fibroids grow in the uterus, or womb, and are also known as uterine fibroids. Fibroid growths are called tumors. They are nearly always benign, which means they are not cancerous. According to the Office on Women's Health, less than one fibroid out of a thousand will be a cancerous fibroid. When the fibroid is cancerous, it is called leiomyosarcoma. However, having fibroids does not make it more likely that a cancerous fibroid will develop. According to the Mayo Clinic, most women with fibroids do not know they have them because there are no symptoms. There can be complications, though, from having fibroids.
Pain
Pelvic pain is a symptom of fibroids. This pain can become severe if the fibroid outgrows its supply of blood. Without enough blood to sustain it, the fibroid tissue will die. The byproducts of the tissue death seep into surrounding tissue, which can cause acute pain and fever. Acute pain can also occur when a fibroid that is attached by a stalk gets twisted and the stalk becomes strangled, which cuts off the supply of blood to the fibroid.
Anemia
Fibroids can cause symptoms of bleeding and spotting between periods. They can also cause heavier-than-normal periods. The increased bleeding can cause anemia, which is a condition characterized by an insufficient amount of red blood cells in the bloodstream. People who have anemia feel tired and fatigued.
Conception Problems
In some cases, fibroids can interfere with the passage of sperm into fallopian tubes. Also, they can cause distortion of fallopian tubes. Some fibroids can prevent the planting of an embryo on the uterine wall. These can cause problems with conceiving.
Pregnancy Complications
Most women with fibroids have normal pregnancies, although there is an increased risk of problems. The risk of having a need for a Caesarian section delivery is six times greater for women who have fibroids. Other complications include the baby not being well positioned for vaginal delivery, which is called a breech position. Labor can fail to progress properly. There can be placental abruption, which occurs when the placenta breaks away from the uterine wall, depriving the fetus of sufficient oxygen. Having fibroids also increases the risk of preterm deliveries.
