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Uterine fibroids are growths in the womb (uterus). They are made of muscle and other tissue. Fibroids almost never develop into cancer. Uterine fibroids are very common in women of childbearing age. No one knows what causes fibroids.
Fibroids affect more than 1 out of 5 women under age 50. They are the cause for 3 out of every 10 hysterectomies. Hysterectomy is surgery to take out the womb.
Many women don't feel any symptoms. Without symptoms, you probably won't even know that you have fibroids. Fibroids can cause these symptoms:
Fibroids can grow in different areas of the womb, such as:
If you need treatment, talk to your doctor to see what is best for you. Taking out the womb may not be the best choice for every woman. A woman would not want this form of treatment if she wants to have children.
In some cases, fibroids can stop a woman from getting pregnant. Doctors have ways to treat fibroids and to help you get pregnant. These treatments can often improve your chances of having a successful pregnancy.
The form of treatment depends on a few things:
Talk to your doctor about the kinds of hysterectomy that are available.
Fibroids almost never develop into a muscle type of cancer. Having fibroids does not increase your risk for getting other kinds of cancer in the womb.
Fibroids usually stop growing or shrink after menopause ("the change of life").
National Institute of Child Health & Human Development
P.O. Box 3006, Rockville, MD 20847
Phone: 1-800-370-2943
Fax: (301) 984-1473
www.nichd.nih.gov
August 2005