Uterine fibroids

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Pelvic laparoscopy

Female reproductive anatomy

Fibroid tumors

Uterus

Overview

Symptoms

Treatment

Prevention

Uterine fibroids

Alternative Names:

Leiomyoma; Fibromyoma; Myoma; Fibroids

Symptoms:

Sensation of fullness or pressure in lower abdomen
Pelvic cramping or pain with periods
Abdominal fullness, gas
Increase in urinary frequency
Heavy menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia), sometimes with the passage of blood clots
Sudden, severe pain due to a pedunculated fibroid

Note: There are often no symptoms.

Signs and tests:

A pelvic examination reveals an irregularly shaped, lumpy, or enlarged uterus. Frequently, this diagnosis is reliable. However, on occasion, diagnosis is difficult, especially in obese women. Fibroid tumors have been mistaken for ovarian tumors, inflammatory processes of the tubes, and pregnancy.

A transvaginal ultrasound or pelvic ultrasound may be performed to confirm the findings.

A D and C procedure or a pelvic laparoscopy may be necessary to rule out other, potentially malignant, conditions.

Review Date: 4/30/2004
Reviewed By: Robert L. Debernardo, M.D., Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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