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You are here : AllRefer.com > Health > Diseases & Conditions > Uterine Fibroids

Uterine Fibroids

Provided by A.D.A.M.

Definition

Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors

Symptoms & Signs

Diagnosis & Tests

Treatment

Expectations or Prognosis

Complications

Calling Your Health Care Provider

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Alternate Names : Fibroids, Fibromyoma, Leiomyoma, Myoma

Definition

Uterine fibroids are benign tumors of muscle and connective tissue that develop within or are attached to the uterine wall.

Pictures & Images

Pelvic Laparoscopy
Pelvic Laparoscopy

Female Reproductive Anatomy
Female Reproductive Anatomy

Fibroid Tumors
Fibroid Tumors

Uterus
Uterus

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Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors

The cause of fibroid tumors of the uterus is unknown. However, it is suggested that fibroids may enlarge with estrogen therapy (such as oral contraceptives) or with pregnancy.

Their growth seems to depend on regular estrogen stimulation, showing up only rarely before the age of 20 and shrinking after menopause. As long as a woman with fibroids is menstruating, the fibroids will probably continue to grow, although growth is usually quite slow.

Fibroids can be microscopic, but they can also grow to fill the uterine cavity, and may weigh several pounds. Uterine fibroids are the most common pelvic tumor and they may be present in 15 to 20% of reproductive-age women, and 30 to 40% of women over 30.

Fibroids occur 3 to 9 times more frequently in African-American women than in Caucasian women.

It is possible for a single fibroid to develop although normally there are a number of them, which begin as small seedlings spread throughout the muscular walls of the uterus.

They slowly enlarge and become more nodular, frequently intruding into the cavity of the uterus or growing out beyond the normal boundary of the uterus. Rarely, a fibroid will hang from a long stalk attached to the outside of the uterus. This is called a pedunculated fibroid.


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Definition
Uterine Fibroids Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
Uterine Fibroids Symptoms & Signs
Uterine Fibroids Diagnosis & Tests
Uterine Fibroids Treatment
Uterine Fibroids Prognosis
Uterine Fibroids Complications
Calling Your Health Care Provider
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Review Date : 5/3/2002
Reviewed By : Peter Chen, M.D., Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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