UTERINE FIBROIDS

Uterine fibroids from a Gynecological standpoint are rarely in the category of "triggering” (or causing) significant pelvic pain.  Fibroids are extremely common in the general population and statistically occur more in African Americans. They are one of the main "reasons" for hysterectomies in the US, but not because they are the cause of pain.  Pain of various sorts can be associated with fibroids - usually it’s pressure type discomfort if they are big enough and pressing on various other structures. Rarely, if they grow too rapidly they outgrow their blood supply they can "degenerate" which is painful and serious but is easily remedied with surgery.  The main problem with fibroids is that certain types of them can cause excessive uterine bleeding and if they continue to cause too much bleeding and anemia, then there are different types of surgical and other invasive procedures (embolization) to treat them.  

We have observed that many women are told that their pain is due to fibroids just because they have fibroids and they have pain.  But actually most fibroids are completely asymptomatic and do not require anything to be done about them and they shrink down after menopause.  Uterine fibroids should not be considered a significant cause of chronic pelvic or sexual pain because to do so would be extremely misleading. If you are one of millions of women suffering from chronic pain conditions in the pelvic region and have been diagnosed with uterine fibroids as the primary cause of your pain but you are not noticing any improvement despite being treated for them, please insist on further testing or evaluation for bladder, bowel, musculoskeletal, or nerve related causes of your pain. Or insist on finding a practitioner that is familiar with these conditions. Start with our resource page and The Echenberg Institute for Pelvic & Sexual Pain atinstituteforwomeninpain.org 

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