The short answer: Fibroids are lumps of muscle in the wall of the womb (often called bachedani me ganth, बच्चेदानी में गांठ, or rasoli; in Gujarati garbhashay ma ganth, ગર્ભાશયમાં ગાંઠ). They are very common and almost always non-cancerous, and many cause no symptoms and need no treatment. Where a fibroid sits matters more than its size: one bulging into the womb cavity can cause heavy bleeding even when small, while fibroids on the outside of the womb mainly cause pressure. Heavy periods, tiredness from anaemia, pressure on the bladder or bowel, or difficulty getting pregnant are good reasons to see a gynaecologist; a fibroid that grows after menopause needs a closer look.
On this page
- Fibroids: The Most Common Tumour in Women
- Types and Location Matter
- Symptoms That Should Not Be Normalised
- Are Fibroids Ever Cancer?
Fibroids: The Most Common Tumour in Women
Uterine fibroids — also called leiomyomas or myomas — are non-cancerous growths of the uterine muscle wall. They are the most common benign tumour in women of reproductive age worldwide: by the age of 50, an estimated 70–80% of women will have at least one fibroid, though many will never know. Although fibroids are non-cancerous, they can cause a lot of trouble, and they are one of the most common reasons for a hysterectomy (removal of the womb). For an overview of how fibroids are found and when they need treatment, see understanding fibroids.
Types and Location Matter
Fibroids are classified by location within the uterus, and location largely determines symptoms:
- Submucosal — grow just under the womb lining and bulge into the womb cavity; even small ones can cause heavy bleeding and may make it harder to get pregnant
- Intramural — grow within the muscle wall of the womb; the most common type; can cause a bulky womb and heavy periods when large
- Subserosal — grow on the outer surface of the womb; mainly cause pressure symptoms (passing urine often, constipation, back pain)
- Pedunculated — hang from the womb on a stalk; the stalk can occasionally twist (torsion), causing sudden, severe pain
Symptoms That Should Not Be Normalised
Many women with fibroids are told their heavy periods are “just hormones” or that their pelvic pressure is “normal for their age.” Symptoms that are caused by fibroids and deserve evaluation include:
- Periods lasting more than 7 days or soaking through a pad/tampon every 1–2 hours
- Iron deficiency anaemia from chronic blood loss
- Pelvic heaviness or a feeling of pressure in the lower abdomen
- Urinary frequency or urgency (fibroid pressing on the bladder)
- Constipation or incomplete emptying (posterior fibroids pressing on the bowel)
- An abdomen that appears larger than expected
- Recurrent pregnancy loss or difficulty conceiving
Fibroids do not usually explain bleeding between periods, bleeding after sex, or any bleeding after menopause, so these should be checked separately; see bleeding after menopause. If fibroids are causing symptoms, there are many choices, from tablets that reduce bleeding to removing only the fibroids or, for some women, the womb; our guide to fibroid treatment options explains them.
Are Fibroids Ever Cancer?
A fibroid does not usually turn into cancer. A cancer of the womb muscle (uterine sarcoma, such as leiomyosarcoma) is a separate and very rare condition, but it can look like a fibroid on a scan; the chance is higher in older women and after menopause. A gynaecologist can look after most fibroids. A closer look, sometimes with an MRI scan, a sample of the womb lining (endometrial biopsy) or a specialist opinion, is more likely to be advised when a “fibroid” appears or grows after menopause, grows quickly between scans, or looks unusual on the scan. Even then, most women turn out to have a benign cause.
For fibroid assessment and treatment in Ahmedabad, contact Dr. Nishtha Tripathi Patel at +91 76988 00333.