What are fibroids?

Uterine fibroids affect millions of women each year, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). These women experience symptoms like an enlarged uterus, excessive menstrual bleeding and debilitating pain,

If you’re living with uterine fibroids, you might find that they disrupt your everyday life and cause significant strain during your monthly menstrual cycle.

At Texas Endovascular, we understand that fibroids can affect much more than just your physical health. They can alter your appearance, fertility and life. The good news is that there are advanced uterine fibroid treatment options to end symptoms without requiring extensive surgeries or extended hospital stays.

As experts in fibroid care, we take a full-body, comprehensive approach to uterine care.

If you’re experiencing symptoms or have recently been diagnosed with fibroids, our team is here to help. Start a fibroid-free future with us today.

Let’s discuss uterine fibroids in more detail, including providing a more comprehensive answer to the common question, “What are fibroids?”

Types of fibroids

There are five main types of fibroids. All fibroids consist of smooth muscle cells and fibrous connective tissue that attach to the uterus in some way.

Subserosal fibroids

Subserosal fibroids are a type of uterine fibroid that grows outside the uterus, just beneath the outermost layer. They are an unusual growth of smooth muscle cells in the uterine wall.

Subserosal fibroids come in different sizes and may cause symptoms like pelvic pain, pressure and discomfort. Sometimes, they can create problems with conception or during pregnancy.

Intramural fibroids

Intramural fibroids grow inside the uterine muscle wall. Fibroid specialists can detect them using imaging tests like ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Intramural fibroids are typically sorted into three sub-categories:

• Anterior intramural fibroids: Benign growths within the front muscular walls of the uterus. They are usually smooth and circular.
• Posterior intramural fibroids: These fibroids grow in the rear, muscular walls of the uterus. Similar to anterior fibroids, they often appear smooth and round.
• Fundal intramural fibroids: These fibroids are found in the upper part of the uterus muscle. They can form within the uterine wall and can vary in size and shape.

It's important to know that each type of intramural fibroid has the potential to cause symptoms, but the severity of these symptoms can differ from one individual to another.

Pedunculated fibroids

Pedunculated fibroids develop on stalks or stems from the uterine wall. They can be either subserosal or intramural. They might cause symptoms like pelvic pain, pressure and discomfort. Depending on their size and location, they could also challenge reproduction.

Calcified fibroids

Calcification in fibroids happens when the tissues inside the fibroid go through a process called dystrophic calcification. This process includes the buildup of calcium salts, causing the fibroid tissue to harden. This change makes the fibroid less flexible and might lead to extra symptoms.

The exact reason for calcification in fibroids isn't clear. However, research suggests that conditions like rapid fibroid growth, poor blood supply and long-term inflammation might contribute to it. Women with large fibroids are also more likely to experience calcification.

Calcified fibroids can differ in size and position within the uterus. They might be found during routine tests like ultrasound, MRI or a pelvic exam. In some situations, calcified fibroids might affect fertility or cause problems during pregnancy.

Submucosal fibroids

These fibroids are considered the least common and develop under the lining of the uterine cavity.

Symptoms of uterine fibroids explained

It’s time to start talking about symptoms now that we’ve answered the question, “What are fibroids?”

Women with fibroids may experience the following symptoms:

• Excessive and prolonged menstrual bleeding
• Urinary incontinence, frequency and urgency
• Pelvic pain and pressure
• Anemia
• Pain during sexual intercourse
• Constipation and bloating
• Weight gain and an enlarged abdomen
• Pregnancy and fertility complications

Although most women experience symptoms of fibroids, a small number of those affected may not receive a fibroid diagnosis until they have an ultrasound examination during pregnancy.

Fibroid causes and risk factors

We can answer the question, “What are fibroids?” However, the answer to questions about what causes fibroids is widely unknown. Still, various factors increase your chances of developing them, including:

• A family history of fibroids
• Between the ages of 30 and 40
• High body mass index (BMI) between 25 and 30
• Hypertension
• Time since your last birth
• The use of certain oral or injectable contraceptives
• Breastfeeding
• The age at which you started your period
• Vitamin D deficiency
• Regular alcohol consumption or smoking
• Consuming red meat, certain food additives or soy milk

Along with these risk factors, race plays a significant role in your fibroid risk. 

While any woman can develop fibroids, the ones at the highest risk have a family history and are Black or Hispanic. In fact, The Society for Interventional Radiology estimates that 80% of Black women will develop fibroids by the time they turn 50.

Additionally, certain environmental factors can play a role. According to a study in Fertility and Sterility, when pregnant women expecting daughters were exposed to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDC), the babies seemed to have a higher rate of developing fibroids.

While researchers aren’t sure why, these hormones seem to change the developing uterus in ways that make fibroid growth more likely.

Uterine fibroid diagnosis and treatment

Diagnosis and treatment are also important to discuss when answering the question, “What are fibroids?” Specialized fibroid doctors can diagnose uterine fibroids through pelvic exams, ultrasounds or other imaging tests. Fibroid treatment depends on the severity of the symptoms, the wish for future pregnancy and the patient's overall health.

There are treatment options available to eliminate symptoms. Common treatments include:

• Hormone-based medications
• Magnetic resonance guided focused ultrasound
• Uterine fibroid embolization
• Endometrial ablation
• Myomectomy
• Hysterectomy (in rare cases)

For women who do not experience any symptoms, most fibroid specialists will follow a “wait and watch” approach to see if fibroids shrink on their own.

For women who need fibroid treatment, our team often recommends UFE. This non-surgical method effectively manages uterine fibroids, helping to alleviate painful symptoms without lengthy recoveries or hospital stays.

Live life without fibroids with help from Texas Endovascular

Everyone's experience with fibroids is different. That's why it's crucial to consult a qualified fibroid doctor for a precise diagnosis and the right treatment for your uterine fibroids.

At Texas Endovascular, our fibroid specialists provide effective and innovative treatments to eliminate uterine fibroid symptoms. Our advanced fibroid clinic offers non-invasive treatments and outpatient solutions designed specifically for your needs.

If you've been diagnosed with uterine fibroids or are dealing with fibroid-related symptoms, reach out to our caring team of experts to schedule an evaluation at one of our convenient locations today.