GynoFiles

The muscle knots that comprise a fibroid uterus can be microscopically sized or very large. The total weight of a woman's uterus in her fertile years is typically about 60-70 grams. This uterus was 768 grams, and shown here are the fibroids removed at the time of a laparoscopic hysterectomy. The largest uteri removed with laparoscopic are about 7 lbs or around 3200 grams. The pregnant uterus can swell to up to 1000 grams to accommodate it's contents! The fibroids themselves have a solid feel to them, almost as rigid as a rubber ball.  For the most part the pressure the enlarged uterus can produce is uncomfortable, although some women report significant pain. The pressure of such a large uterus such as this one might produce actual deformities of neighboring organs or of the cervix itself. Some women have enlarged uterus due to the lining glands getting entrapped within the muscle of the uterine wall, which is a condition called adenomyosis, and this can co-exist with the fibro...

Uterine fibroids (leiomyomas) are benign (non cancerous) muscle knots of the wall of the uterus They are the most common cause of hysterectomy in the country 2/100 women have fibroids of the uterus by age 25, and at least 1-3/10 by age 45 Women with relatives who have fibroids have double the  risks of having them The heavier you are the greater likelihood that you will have fibroids Oral contraceptive pills do not cause fibroid growth and those who have used oral contraceptives consistently have a third less chance of ever having fibroids  Oral contraceptive pills can manage pain and bleeding from fibroids, as can a progesterone IUD High consumption of red meat increases the risks that you are going to have fibroids, green vegetables will decrease the risk of ever having uterine fibroids If you are a big exerciser then you are less likely to have fibroids: studies set the cut off at 7 hours per week for "heavy exercise"  Neither birth control pills nor men...

If you are planning pregnancy and discover you have a uterine fibroid, the decision is to treat or wait until after you have children to treat. Often women don't have the choice and the first sign of a fibroid is on a prenatal ultrasound. If you have had preterm labor or a miscarriage, then generally many gynos will say removing the fibroid or fibroids will improve pregnancy success. However, if you just have not yet conceived, should any fibroids discovered be removed? This is debated. In 1917 the renown gynecologist Hofmeier stated uterine fibroid did not cause infertility. Almost that same year in a contrasting paper Olshausen stated that almost 1/3 women with fibroids had infertility. We currently think that the 1/3 women figure is probably a bit high. In a landmark paper written in the early 1980s Victor Buttram reported that infertility, due only to uterine fibroids, only occurs in about 10% of cases. What we think is that large fibroids, or ones that obstruct the fallopian...

  This is what is called a pedunculated fibroid. It is attached to the side of the uterus. It has to be treated either surgically or with Uterine Artery Embolization.

 Uterine fibroids may be affected by pregnancy, and women who are pregnant can have their pregnancy affected by uterine fibroids. If you have had children, you are less likely to ever get a uterine fibroid. Uterine fibroids can also cause infertility, and miscarriages, and preterm deliveries, and be of a size that will block the birth canal, and make your risk of having a c-section greater.  Only 10-15% of pregnant women will have a uterine fibroid. It is very ethnic dependent: African American Women are more likely to have uterine fibroids in pregnancy that Caucasian women. 18% of African American women will have uterine fibroids in pregnancy, and only about 5-8% of Caucasian women. You may or may not know that you have a fibroid, if it is large, such as over 2.5 inches (5 centimeters) then it's very likely your gyno will feel it on examination. If you have a smaller fibroid, it's most likely to only be detected on ultrasound, but no on examination. So you may not even kno...

You may have had a diagnosis of uterine fibroids, and been told that you might need surgery, but there is a lot to know regarding fibroids and women should realize they have a lot to discuss with their gyno if they've been diagnosed. Many fibroids are found on pelvic exam or pelvic ultrasound, and it's a surprise as the woman wasn't seeking consultation for period symptoms. Not all fibroids progress to having symptoms, and in fact a significant percent of women who do have symptoms won't need medicine or surgery because they report reduction of symptoms with observation alone. But for those with uterine bleeding, pelvic pains, or women with bulk symptoms such as abdominal swelling, pelvic heaviness, frequent urination, discomfort with sex, or bladder discomfort Both suregical and medical therapy for uterine fibroids are used commonly..  The chances of successful resolution of your symptoms depends upon what your symptoms are and what your plans for the future...

Preventing Acne: three pills are approved for acne control, most all do work for this Treating PMS Preventing Endometriosis Preventing Ovarian Cysts Preventing Menstrual Cramps Preventing Heavy Menstrual Bleeding Preventing Menstrual Migraines Stopping Periods (if you don't want them! or just arrange them when you do!) Decreases Ovarian, Colon and Uterine Lining Cancer Makes periods predictable    11. Shrink Fibroids (not in every study, but in many they do)    12. Better Bones: this is for women over 40, for younger women the effect is probably neutral    13. Less Benign (non-cancerous) Breast Disease    14. Fewer Irregular Menstrual Periods