Fibroids

Uterine fibroids are noncancerous growths of the uterus that appear most often during childbearing years. They range in size from tiny seedlings to large masses that distort and enlarge the uterus. Many women have fibroids without symptoms; others experience heavy menstrual bleeding, pelvic pain, and complications during pregnancy.

Black women are two to three times more likely to develop fibroids than white women, develop them at younger ages, and are more likely to have fibroids that cause symptoms.

Treatment options include watchful waiting, hormonal medications, MRI-guided focused ultrasound, uterine fibroid embolization (UFE), myomectomy (surgical removal preserving the uterus), and hysterectomy. You have the right to ask about uterus-sparing options before consenting to hysterectomy.