7 Popular Myths About Uterine Fibroid You Need to Stop Believing

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Fibroids develop in the uterus under the influence of hormones. This is the most common type of tumor that affects the female reproductive system. A number of misconceptions that surround the topic of uterine fibroids may confuse women who live with this condition. 

Below are 7 common misconceptions about uterine fibroids. The debunking of these myths will help you understand uterine fibroids better. 

1. Fibroids will eventually turn in cancer

Fibroids are tumors but benign and non-cancerous. They are made up of muscles and fibrous tissue and may differ in size. They are also known as uterine myomas or leiomyomas. Imagining tests are not able to detect whether fibroids are benign or malignant. But the chance of cancerous fibroids is pretty low. Benign fibroids turn cancerous in about 1 in 2000 women. But this doesn’t mean that you may skip regular check-ups in your gynecologist. 

2. Fibroids always have symptoms

Uterine fibroid is a common problem that affects up to 20% of adult women. This condition often appears in women between the age of 30 and 50. Most women with uterine fibroids will have no symptoms. For this reason, it is hard to diagnose in the early stage. The presence and severity of symptoms may also depend on the location of fibroids and how close they are to pelvic organs.

Minority of women who have symptoms may experience:

• Intermenstrual spotting
• Heavy periods
• Abdominal pain
• Pain during sex
• Frequent urination
• Abdominal swelling

3. Fibroids always require surgery

The first line of uterine fibroids treatment often involves taking medications like birth control pills. If such treatment is ineffective then your gynecologist may offer surgical treatment. It involves removing certain fibroids from your uterus or removing the whole uterus. However, surgery is not the first option for fibroids treatment if they are asymptomatic. In this case, the risk of removing fibroids can outweigh the benefits. 

4. Medications can make fibroid disappear

Medication treatment for fibroid is a good option sometimes. It can lessen some symptoms of uterine fibroids like intermenstrual spotting. Certain medications may even lessen fibroids. However, the effect of these medications lasts as long as you take them. If you stop taking them the symptoms will reappear again. Moreover, some women experience unpleasant side effects because of these pills. 

5. Fibroids makes you a bad candidate for pregnancy

Many women often associate fibroids with infertility. However, not all fibroids affect your ability to give birth. There are many factors that influence your fertility with uterine fibroids. Women who have asymptomatic uterine fibroids usually can get pregnant without complications. 

If your uterine fibroids affect fertility then treatment may help you solve this problem. Many women give birth after successful fibroids treatment. 

6. Fibroid don’t come back after treatment

There is a high chance that fibroids may reappear even after successful treatment. For this reason, if you are diagnosed with fibroids it is important to visit a gynecologist on a regular basis. Exams will help your doctor determine whether new fibroids appear in your uterus. If they develop again you might need another form of treatment. Your gynecologist will help determine which treatment option is most suitable for you. 

7. Fibroids disappear after menopause

Fibroids do not necessarily disappear after menopause. Moreover, hormone replacement that women often undergo during menopause may trigger the development of new fibroids. Even postmenopausal women may require fibroid treatment. The treatment of fibroids for postmenopausal women is almost the same as for women who don’t undergo menopause. It can be both medication treatment to alleviate symptoms or surgery.