Uterine FibroidsLisa Cunningham

Photograph from http:www.fibroidsmiracle.com, n.d.

OverviewWhat are they?Risk factorsSigns and symptomsTreatment

What are they?Most common benign tumor in femalesMuscular tumors made up of muscle cells and connective tissueGrow in or around the uterus (they are categorized based upon where in the uterus they grow).

Risk factorsEarly menarcheNulliparityAge (late reproductive years)Obesity Race (more prevalent among black women)Activity levelDiet

Flake et al., 2011Ciavattini et al., 2013

Signs and symptomsprolonged and/or profuse uterine bleedingpelvic pain or pressurelower back painurinary frequency or incontinencepain during sexconstipation and pressure on the rectumpain in the legscomplications during pregnancy or infertilityanemiaMedikare et al., 2011

Treatment optionsWatch and wait if symptoms are only mildMedications to target hormones (oral contraceptives, estrogen-blocking medication, progesterone-releasing IUD)Uterine artery embolizationMyolysisLaparoscopic or hysteroscopic myomectomyEndometrial ablation Abdominal myomectomyHysterectomy (only proven permanent solution for uterine fibroids)Mayo Clinic, 2014

Complementary/alternative treatments DietNutritionExerciseMassage therapyAcupunctureYoga

UCLA Health, n.d.

Ciavattini, A., Di Giuseppe, J., Stortoni, P., Montik, N., Giannubilo, S., Litta, P., Islam, S., Tranquilli, A., Reis, F., & Ciarmela, P. (2013). Uterine Fibroids: Pathogenesis and Interactions with Endometrium and Endomyometrial Junction. Obstetrics and Gynecology International, vol. 2013. doi: 10.1155/2013/173184 Flake, G., Anderson, J., & Dixon, D. (2003). Etiology and Pathogenesis of Uterine Leiomyomas: A Review. Environmental Health Perspectives, 111(8), 1037-1054. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1241553/pdf/ehp0111-001037.pdfMedikare, V., Kandukuri, L.R., Ananthapur, V., Deenadayal, M., & Nallari, P. (2011). The genetic bases of uterine fibroids; A review. Journal of Reproduction and Infertility, 12(3), 181-191. Retrieved from ws:start:WikiTextUrlRule:205:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3719293/ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3719293/ ws:end:WikiTextUrlRule:205 Mayo Clinic. (2014). Uterine fibroids treatment and drugs. Retrieved on March 20, 2016 from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/uterine-fibroids/basics/treatment/con-20037901UCLA Health. (n.d.) Alternative therapy: uterine fibroids treatment options. Retrieved on March 20, 2016 from http://obgyn.ucla.edu/body.cfm?id=285References