Uterine Fibroids

What are fibroids?

Uterine fibroids are the most common benign 

(not cancerous) tumors, or growths, in women of 

childbearing age. They grow in and around the 

muscular wall of the uterus (womb) and can grow 

as a single tumor or there can be many. They 

can be as small as an apple seed or as big as a 

grapefruit. Fibroids can grow or stay about the 

same size over time. Another medical term for 

fibroids is leiomyoma or just “myoma.”

What are the symptoms

of fibroids?

Fibroids do not always cause symptoms. People 

who have symptoms may find fibroids hard to live 

with. Symptoms of fibroids can include:

• Changes in menstruation (your period)

o Heavy bleeding during your period that soaks 

through one or more tampon or pad every 

hour or lasts more than seven days

o Vaginal bleeding between periods 

o Heavy and irregular bleeding can cause 

anemia (low red blood cell count)

o Painful periods

• Fullness or pressure

o Feeling “full” in the lower abdomen (belly)

o An urge to urinate more often or difficulty 

urinating

• Pain

o Pain during sex

o Pain in the belly or lower back

• Reproductive problems

o Infertility

o Miscarriage

o Early Labor

What causes fibroids?

No one knows for sure what causes fibroids. 

Researchers think more than one factor could play

a role. These factors could include:

• Age. Risk of fibroids increases with age and peaks 

at around age 50. In some women, fibroids may 

shrink after menopause.

• Family history or genetics. Having a family 

member (such as a mother, sister or aunt) with 

fibroids increases your risk. 

• Race/ethnic origin. Fibroids are 2-3 times more 

common in African-American people than Asian, 

Hispanic, or White people. African-American 

people also tend to get fibroids at a younger age, 

and their fibroids tend to grow faster.

• Weight. Being overweight or obese increases the 

risk of fibroids.

• Hormones. Fibroids can be affected by the levels

of hormones— estrogen and progesterone. 

• High blood pressure increases the risk of fibroids.

• Dietary factors. (e.g. Vitamin D deficiency, use

of soybean milk).

How do I know if I have 

fibroids?

Unless you have symptoms, you might not know 

if you have fibroids. In some cases, a healthcare 

provider will find fibroids during a routine pelvic 

exam. Your provider may also order imaging 

tests to see a picture of the fibroids. Surgery (i.e. 

hysteroscopy) can confirm the ultrasound diagnosis

of fibroids and provide additional information like

the location of the fibroids.

FDA Office of 

Women’s Health

www.fda.gov/womens
How are fibroids treated?

If you have symptoms, there are medical 

treatments that can help. Talk with your 

healthcare provider about the best way to treat 

your fibroids. They will consider many things, 

such as:

• What symptoms you have and their severity

• If you want to get pregnant in the future

• The size of the fibroids

• The location of the fibroids

• Your age and how close you are to the onset of 

menopause

If you have fibroids but do not have symptoms, 

you may not need medical intervention. Your 

provider can check during regular exams to 

see if your fibroids have grown and ask you 

whether you have noticed any new or worsening 

symptoms. Your provider may recommend an 

imaging test to check growth or change in size.

Talk to your provider to discuss if you should take 

medicine to manage your symptoms such as:

• Iron supplements to treat or prevent anemia 

(low red blood cell count) caused by heavy 

bleeding. 

• Stool softener to help with constipation.

• Over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription pain 

medicines to help ease the pain due to fibroids.

Your provider may recommend a medical 

treatment with hormones to help control 

bleeding. This may include:

• Birth control products, such as pills, patches, or 

vaginal contraceptive rings

• Progesterone pills or injections (shots)

• Intrauterine device (IUD) with hormone 

(progesterone)

• Newer medicines approved to manage heavy 

menstrual bleeding associated with fibroids in 

premenopausal women.

Talk with your provider about the 

risks, benefits, and side effects 

before you start or stop

a medical treatment. 

If you have moderate or severe symptoms from 

your fibroids, your provider may recommend 

medical treatments as discussed above or surgical 

procedures. Surgical options include:

• Myomectomy – Surgery to remove fibroids 

without removing healthy tissue of the uterus.

• Hysterectomy – Surgery to remove the entire 

uterus.

• Fibroid ablation – A surgical procedure that uses 

energy to destroy fibroid tissue while avoiding 

damage to the normal uterine tissue. The fibroids 

are not removed, but shrink in size.

• Uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) or uterine 

artery embolization (UAE) – A thin tube is 

threaded into the blood vessels that supply 

blood to the fibroid. Then, tiny plastic or gel 

particles are injected into the blood vessels. This 

blocks the blood supply to the fibroid, causing it 

to shrink.

Talk with your provider about all your 

medical treatment options and their 

risks and benefits. Your provider 

can answer all your questions and 

together you can decide which 

treatment is right for you.

This fact sheet was developed by the FDA 

Office of Women’s Health. This information

is for educational purposes, not all inclusive, 

and should not be used in place of talking to 

your healthcare provider.

To learn more about 

uterine fibroids, go to:

www.fda.gov/uterinefibroids

June 2022