Medically reviewed by Sophia Yen, MD, MPH – Written by Pandia Health Editorial Team. Updated on March 15, 2021
Uterine fibroids, also known as leiomyomas, are benign growths that form on or inside the uterine walls. Fibroids in the vast majority of cases are non-cancerous and usually do not cause any symptoms. In fact, it’s estimated that up to 80% of women fifty years old and older have uterine fibroids, and the growths don’t cause them any significant discomfort or other issues. Although fibroids are incredibly common, most women do not even know they have one. But in some cases, fibroids can cause pain and other complications if they aren’t treated. Fortunately, there are many non-invasive techniques for dealing with fibroids, including using hormonal birth control products to alleviate symptoms.
Can birth control help prevent or alleviate fibroid symptoms?
Fibroids usually go away once a woman becomes postmenopausal. If a fibroid is found during an exam, most physicians will suggest leaving the fibroid alone, but monitoring it over the course of several months to make sure that it doesn’t grow too large and cause other issues.
But for women whose fibroids are causing heavy menstrual bleeding, putting them at risk of anemia, using some type of hormonal birth control may help. But it’s important to understand that birth control cannot shrink a fibroid. Birth control can alleviate some of the symptoms and complications that stem from a fibroid, though. For women who have fibroids that are causing severe complications, they may need surgery to correct the fibroid.
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Best birth control for fibroids
Since estrogen causes fibroids to grow, women with fibroids will need to stay away from hormonal birth control that uses large doses of estrogen. Low-dose estrogen birth control pills and also progestin-only mini pills are safe for women with fibroids to take. While birth control won’t shrink a fibroid, they can decrease menstrual bleeding, preventing iron-deficiency anemia from happening in women with fibroids, as well as reduce cramping during menstruation. Women with fibroids may find these birth control brands best for them:
Lo Loestrin FE Birth Control
This offers the lowest daily dose of estrogen at 10 mcg. Loestrin is great for women with fibroids because it can decrease heavy periods and reduce pain from menstrual cramps, but the low dose of estrogen won’t cause fibroids to grow. Loestrin is the name brand of low-dose estrogen birth control, but many less expensive generic options are available.
Norethindrone Birth Control
This is a progestin-only pill (POP), often referred to as the “mini pill”. Since there is no estrogen in this pill, there is no risk of it causing fibroids to grow. Norethindrone can effectively control side effects of fibroids such as heavy and painful menstrual periods.
What are fibroids?
Fibroids are one of the most frequently seen tumors of the female reproductive system, although, in 99% of cases, these tumors are non-cancerous. A fibroid is a small tumor that is made out of smooth muscle cells and fibrous connective tissues in the uterus.
Estimates on uterine fibroids claim that as many as 77% of women of reproductive age have a uterine fibroid, but only about a third of women will have a fibroid that is large enough to be detected by a healthcare provider during an exam. Even fewer women will have adverse symptoms from a fibroid, although it can occur. It’s also important to know that the presence of a uterine fibroid does not increase a woman’s risk of developing uterine cancer.
Fibroids can range in size from something as small as a dime to a softball or grapefruit-sized benign growth. They can grow inside the uterus, on the outer surface of it, within the muscle walls of the uterus, or attached to the uterus via a stem-like structure. Uterine fibroids can form in clusters, where a woman will have more than one fibroid, and they can each form in different parts of the uterus simultaneously. Fibroids can develop and grow slowly for many years, or they can form and remain small before suddenly increasing in size.
When are fibroids considered a problem?
More often than not, fibroids don’t cause any complications. They will often shrink or go away completely after a woman goes through menopause. However, you should seek medical treatment if you are experiencing symptoms that disrupt your daily life.
Some symptoms caused by fibroids can significantly impact a woman’s life and health. Experiencing consistently heavy, prolonged periods can increase your risk of developing iron deficiency anemia. Also, large fibroids can lead to disruptive pain in your pelvis or back and may cause UTIs. If any of these symptoms are making it difficult to function in your daily activities, it’s time to get professional help.
Fibroids may also cause problems when a woman is attempting to get pregnant. Large fibroids can sometimes block the fallopian tubes, thus causing infertility. Pregnant women with fibroids are also at a higher risk of experiencing abdominal pain and going into labor prematurely. If a fibroid is blocking the vagina, a C-section may be required to deliver the baby.
Though the large majority of fibroids are benign, approximately 1 in 1000 are cancerous. This is called leiomyosarcoma. It can be difficult to tell normal fibroids and cancerous fibroids apart, but cancerous fibroids typically grow more quickly. It is important to note that the existence of fibroids does not increase the risk of developing a cancerous fibroid or any other forms of uterine cancer.
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What causes fibroids?
It is believed that uterine fibroids form when aberrantly structured cells in the uterine wall begin to grow because of the influence of the hormone estrogen. Perimenopausal women are most at-risk of developing fibroids because estrogen levels increase in the run-up to menopause. Women who are obese, and African American women, are also at higher risk of having a fibroid form.
There are several known protective factors against uterine fibroids as well. Women who have given birth to two or more children decrease their risk of developing fibroids by as much as half. However, this could be because pregnancy and childbirth protect women from getting fibroids, or it’s possible that fibroid formation is a factor in infertility. Research in this area is still inconclusive.
Fibroids usually don’t cause any pain or discomfort. But every woman is different. Fibroid symptoms can also mimic other gynecologic conditions. If a woman begins to experience any of these symptoms, she should speak to her doctor to rule out more serious issues. A large or otherwise bothersome fibroid can cause the following symptoms:
Heavier or longer menstrual periods than usual.
Depending on your typical cycle, this could mean menstrual bleeding that lasts more than 7 days, needing to change your tampon/pad after less than 2 hours, or passing blood clots larger than the size of a quarter.
Spotting between periods.
“Spotting” refers to light vaginal bleeding that occurs when you aren’t on your period. If you see small amounts of blood or brown discharge in your underwear between periods, that’s likely spotting.
Pelvic pain from a fibroid pressing on other organs.
This may feel like period cramps but can occur when you aren’t menstruating. Women typically describe this as a feeling of heaviness or pressure rather than a sharp pain. However, if the fibroid is going through “degeneration” you may experience severe localized pain.
Having to urinate more frequently.
If a fibroid is pressing against your bladder, it can cause more frequent urination. Often this means awakening several times throughout the night to use the bathroom. On the flip side, fibroids can cause an inability to urinate or difficulty completely emptying your bladder.
Unexplained low back pain.
Sometimes fibroids can press against the nerves on your lower back and thus cause pain. Large fibroids located outside of the uterine wall are more likely to cause back pain than small internal fibroids.
Painful intercourse.
Depending on the size and location of the fibroid, some sexual positions may cause pain. It is also possible to experience pain during intercourse only during certain times in your menstrual cycle.
Feeling a large, hardened mass near the middle of the pelvis.
Because fibroids can enlarge your uterus, they may cause you to feel bloated or feel a sense of heaviness in your uterus. You may also feel a hard mass on your pelvis as the fibroid grows and pushes other organs aside.
In more severe cases, a fibroid can cause iron deficiency anemia from heavy, prolonged menstrual bleeding.
Iron deficiency anemia usually isn’t noticeable when it’s mild. However, in moderate or severe cases it causes fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness, paleness, headaches, and cold hands and feet.
Other treatments for uterine fibroids
Besides hormonal birth control, there are several other treatment options for uterine fibroids . Treatment will depend on the severity of the fibroid, the patient’s medical history, and her personal preferences for treatment. For severe fibroid issues, a hysterectomy may be warranted. In the U.S., troublesome uterine fibroids are the number one reason that doctors perform hysterectomies. This may be an option for older women who are done having children, or women suffering from other gynecologic issues that a hysterectomy would remedy.
There are also less invasive surgical options that target the fibroid while leaving the uterus intact. Myomectomy is the most popular procedure. Doctors can also use hormone agonists that shrink the fibroid, making a myomectomy easier to perform. Certain drugs can also be given to oppose the hormone estrogen, which is responsible for fibroid growth. Arteries which supply blood flow to the fibroid can also be targeted for embolization that will shrink the fibroids. Embolization is a relatively new procedure, and there aren’t many studies on its long-term effects on fertility or fibroid regrowth.
As always, it’s critical for women to speak to their doctor about their concerns and personal preferences for fibroid treatment. The extent of the fibroid growth and a woman’s desire for future pregnancies will impact her course of treatment. Fortunately, hormonal birth control can alleviate some of the most painful symptoms of uterine fibroids, while preserving a woman’s fertility if she wishes to become pregnant in the future.
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Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article intend to inform and induce conversation. They are the views of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of Pandia Health, and are for informational purposes only, even if and to the extent that this article features the advice of physicians and medical practitioners. This article is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, and should never be relied upon for specific medical advice.