Awareness

Millions of women silently suffer from a treatable condition that is often overlooked, misdiagnosed, or dismissed until it causes life-altering consequences.

Types of Fibroids: 

1. Intramural Fibroids

• Location: Grow within the muscular wall of the uterus.
  Key point: This is the most common type.
  Symptoms: Can cause heavy bleeding, pelvic pain, or pressure on nearby organs if large.

2. Submucosal Fibroids

• Location: Grow just underneath the lining (endometrium) of the uterus and may extend into the uterine cavity.
  Key point: Even small ones can cause big symptoms.
  Symptoms: Heavy and prolonged periods, fertility issues, or repeated miscarriages.

3. Subserosal Fibroids

• Location: Grow on the outer wall of the uterus, bulging outward.
  Key point: Usually don’t affect menstrual flow.
  Symptoms: Can press on the bladder or bowel, causing frequent urination, constipation, or back pain.

4. Pedunculated Fibroids

• Location: Grow on a stalk (a thin stem-like structure) that attaches to either the inside or outside of the uterus.
  Key point: They can sometimes twist, causing sharp pain.
  Symptoms: Pain or pressure, depending on position.

5. Cervical Fibroids

• Location: Grow in the cervix (the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina).
  Key point: Rare compared to other types.
  Symptoms: Can cause issues with urination, sexual intercourse, or childbirth.

6. Calcified Fibroids

• Old, dead, regenerated, non-active fibroids that have hardened with calcium deposits. They usually don’t cause serious problems and often don’t require treatment unless they press on nearby organs or cause discomfort. 

Who Gets Fibroids

• Up to 70-80% of women develop fibroids by age 50.

• Most commonly diagnosed in women aged 30-49, fibroids can occur anytime during the reproductive years (18-50). 

• Risk factors include genetics, obesity, early menstruation, and vitamin D deficiency.

• Having children lowers a woman’s risk of developing fibroids, and the risk decreases further with each additional pregnancy.

Treatment

Options vary depending on size, location, symptoms, and reproductive goals:

1. Watchful Waiting (Monitoring)

• For women with no or mild symptoms.

• Fibroids may shrink after menopause.

• Regular ultrasounds and check-ups.
  
  

2. Medications

Hormonal treatments (help control symptoms, not cure fibroids):

• GnRH agonists (e.g., Lupron) → shrink fibroids temporarily, often used before surgery.

• GnRH antagonists (e.g., Oriahnn, Myfembree) → newer meds that shrink fibroids and control heavy bleeding.

• Progestin-releasing IUD → reduces heavy bleeding, but doesn’t shrink fibroids.

• Oral contraceptives → help control bleeding, not shrinkage.

Tranexamic acid (Lysteda) → non-hormonal, reduces heavy periods.

Iron supplements → for anemia caused by heavy bleeding.

3. Minimally Invasive Procedures

• Uterine Artery Embolization (UAE / UFE) → blocks blood supply to fibroids, causing them to shrink.

• MRI-Guided Focused Ultrasound Surgery (FUS) → high-intensity ultrasound waves destroy fibroid tissue without incision.

• Radiofrequency Ablation (Acessa, Sonata) → heat energy shrinks fibroids.
  
  

4. Surgical Options

1. Myomectomy (removal of fibroids, uterus preserved):

• Hysteroscopic (through vagina, for submucosal fibroids).

• Laparoscopic / Robotic (small incisions).

• Abdominal (open surgery, for large/multiple fibroids).
  
  

2. Hysterectomy (removal of uterus):

• Permanent solution, no recurrence.

• Ends the ability to have children.
  
  

Alternative / Complementary Approaches
(Not cures, but may help with symptoms, inflammation, or hormone balance. Effectiveness varies.)

1. Lifestyle & Natural Supports

• Dietary changes: more fruits, vegetables, whole grains; reduce red meat and processed foods.

• Exercise & weight management → helps regulate hormones.

• Stress reduction → yoga, meditation, breathing exercises.
  
  

2. Supplements & Herbal Supports (consult a doctor before use)

• Green tea extract (EGCG) → studied for reducing fibroid size.

• Vitamin D → low levels linked to fibroid growth.

• Turmeric/Curcumin → anti-inflammatory.

• Milk thistle → supports liver detox.

• Omega-3 fatty acids → anti-inflammatory.
  
  

3. Traditional / Integrative Medicine

• Acupuncture → may help with pain and pelvic circulation.

• Chinese herbal medicine → blends aimed at hormone balance and symptom relief.

• Ayurveda → herbal formulas and detox practices for reproductive health.

Impact

• Fibroids are the leading cause of hysterectomy worldwide, with 40-50% of treated women eventually having the procedure.

• They affect millions of women’s daily lives, causing chronic pain, missed work, emotional strain, and fertility challenges.

• About 26 million women in the U.S. have fibroids

• 28% report fibroids affect career potential

• Despite prevalence, fibroids remain under-discussed, under-researched, and under-funded.

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