Fibroids can be life-changing — and not in a good way. Up to 8 out of 10 women develop fibroids by the time they turn 50, and that can mean debilitating cramps and soak-through-your-good-leggings bleeding during your period.
Research is ongoing as to why women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB) get fibroids, but certain factors like family history and race may increase your risk. For example, fibroids are up to three times more common in Black women, and Black women tend to be diagnosed with fibroids at a younger age, experience more severe symptoms, and have higher rates of surgery and hospitalization compared to white women.
Unfortunately, it can take years to get a proper diagnosis. A lack of awareness about fibroids and period stigma can keep people from getting the care they need.
So, how much do you know about fibroids? Take our quiz to find out and learn interesting facts to share with your uterus-loving friends.
1. Fibroids grow in the womb.
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true. Fibroids can grow in a few places in the uterus. These can include: The muscle wall (myometrial), Under the uterine lining (submucosal), Outside the uterine lining (subserosal), On a stalk-like attachment outside or inside the uterus (pedunculated)
2. Fibroids are tumors.
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true. But don’t freak out — uterine fibroids are non-cancerous (benign) and don’t become cancerous. They also don’t increase the risk for uterine cancer.
3. All fibroids are the same size.
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false. Fibroids can range from super tiny — microscopic small — to bigger than a grapefruit and weigh several pounds. You can have one fibroid or many fibroids of different sizes.
4. You can have fibroids without having any symptoms.
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true. Some people with fibroids don’t have any symptoms. But many people experience a range of issues that can affect health and quality of life. Common symptoms of uterine fibroids can include: Bleeding between periods, Heavy bleeding during your period (soaking through one or more pads or tampons every 1-2 hours), Frequent urge to pee, Painful cramping during periods, Longer, more frequent periods, Pressure and bloating, Pain during sex
5. Pregnancy increases your risk for fibroids.
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false. Being pregnant actually decreases the risk for fibroids. The benign growths are more common in people who’ve never been pregnant. Other risk factors for fibroids can include: Age (30s and 40s), A family history of fibroids, High blood pressure, Obesity, Starting your period before age 11, Vitamin D deficiency
6. Fibroids get bigger during menopause.
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false. If menopause has a perk, here it is: Fibroids actually shrink during perimenopause and menopause. Researchers think estrogen and progesterone play a role in the size of fibroids because they tend to get bigger during pregnancy and shrink during menopause. So, the lower the hormone levels, the smaller the fibroid.
7. Surgery is the only way to treat fibroids.
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false. Fibroids that are small and don’t cause symptoms may not require treatment at all. And there are non-surgical options that can reduce symptoms associated with fibroids — but medications won’t affect the growth of new fibroids, and surgery may be needed eventually. Medications for fibroids can include: Birth control pills for heavy bleeding and pain, Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists to stop your period and shrink fibroids, GnRH with hormonal add-back therapy to treat heavy bleeding for up to two years, Progestin-releasing intrauterine device (IUD) for heavy bleeding and pain in people with fibroids outside of the uterus, Tranexamic acid to reduce the blood loss during your period (but doesn’t stop your period). Note: Always talk to your healthcare provider about potential side effects before taking any medications.
8. Fibroids can come back after having surgery to remove them.
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true. It’s unfortunately true that fibroids can come back after having surgery to remove them. Research shows about 1 out of 4 women will develop fibroids again within the first few years of having a myomectomy procedure to remove them. But many people have major improvements in their symptoms — or no symptoms at all — after a myomectomy.
9. Fibroids can affect your weight.
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true. Larger fibroids can weigh several pounds, which can add to the number you see on the scale. In one rare case, a 61-pound uterine fibroid was removed from a woman in Singapore! But again, that’s rare, and it’s important to note that fibroids themselves don’t cause changes in the body or metabolism that make you gain weight. Fibroids can, however, cause bloating and bulging in the stomach area, which can feel like weight gain.
