Uterine fibroids

Alternative names:

fibroids; fibromyoma; leiomyoma; myoma

Symptoms:

• sensation of fullness or pressure in lower abdomen
• abdominal fullness, gaseous
• increase in urinary frequency
• presently in a menstruating age and having heavy menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia), sometimes with the passage of blood clots
• sudden, severe pain (a pedunculate fibroid twists causing the blood vessels feeding the tumor to kink) Note: Hospitalization and surgery may be needed in this instance,

Note: There may be 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 is usually performed to confirm the findings.

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