Thu, 03/26/2009 - 10:15 — admin
Overview: Fibroids
Fibroids are benign (noncancerous) growths in the smooth muscle tissue of the walls of the uterus, or womb. They can be as small as a pea or grow larger than a grapefruit.
Fibroids are extremely common: by age 50, approximately 80% of African-American women and approximately 70% of Caucasian women will have had fibroids.1
Common symptoms of fibroids
Although fibroids often do not cause symptoms, depending on their size, number and location, fibroids can lead to more serious symptoms including:
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Heavy periods (learn more)
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Anemia due to chronic excessive bleeding
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Pain or pressure in the abdomen or lower back
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Pain during sex
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Difficulty urinating, frequent urination or constipation
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Infertility (the inability to have children)
| Reference: | |
| 1. | Day Baird D, et al. High cumulative incidence of uterine leiomyoma in black and white women: Ultrasound evidence. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2003;188(1):100-107. |
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