Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsTypesCausesDiagnosisTreatmentPrognosisWhen to See a Provider
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Types
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prognosis
When to See a Provider
A myoma, also known as a uterine fibroid or aleiomyoma, is a common benign (non-cancerous) tumor that arises in the smooth muscles of theuterus. Myomas can cause symptoms like abdominal pain andheavy menstrual bleeding, but some people remain entirely symptom-free.
This article describes the different types of myomas, including the symptoms, risk factors, and treatment options. It also explains how myomas are diagnosed and when it is time to see a healthcare provider.
Verywell / Jessica Olah
What Are the Symptoms of Myoma?
The symptoms of myomas depend on how big the tumor is and where it is located. People with myomas tend to have symptoms that come and go. The symptoms can fluctuate during themenstrual cycle.
For some people, myoma symptoms are severe and cause constant pain. Others experience no symptoms at all.
Possible symptoms of a myoma include:
In most cases, a myoma is not life-threatening. Occasionally, myoma can cause sudden, severe pain when it outgrows its blood supply and starts to die.
On rare occasions, myomas can cause severe internal bleeding leading to death when they place excessive pressure on a major blood vessel, causing it to rupture. Only a handful of cases have been reported in the medical literature.
What Are Uterine Fibroids?
Types of Myoma
Each person’s experience with myomas will look and feel different. It’s possible to have just one myoma or several. They can range in size from as small as a pea to as large as a grapefruit. Myomas can be located inside the uterus or on its outer surface. They may grow quickly or slowly.
The different types of myomas include:
In general, a large myoma is considered to be 10 centimeters (cm) or more in diameter. For size reference:
Why Fibroids Can Cause Pelvic Pain
What Are the Causes of Myoma?
Certain things can increase a person’s risk of a myoma, including:
Why Are Fibroids More Common in Black Women?
How Are Myomas Diagnosed?
Medical tests used to diagnose fibroids include:
How Are Myomas Treated?
A myoma that’s not causing any pain or other symptoms doesn’t necessarily need to be treated. However, if your symptoms are severe or impacting surrounding organs, treatment may be recommended.
According to a 2021 review in theJournal of Women’s Health,approximately one in four people with myomas have symptoms severe enough to require treatment.
There are several choices for treating myomas, including medications, noninvasive procedures, surgery, or a combination of therapies.
You and your healthcare provider will choose a treatment based on several factors, including:
Medication
Several over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medications can help treat myomas. Some options only treat the symptoms of a myoma while others affect the growth itself.
There are several medications your healthcare provider may recommend. Among them:
Surgery
If your symptoms don’t improve with medications and conservative treatment, surgery may be the next treatment option. The type of surgery selected depends on the size, location, and number of myomas you have.
Less invasive surgical options include the following:
In severe cases, you may need a more invasive type of surgery. Chief among them:
Will a Myomectomy Cure Fibroids?
Home Remedies
While there are no home remedies that directly treat fibroids, some may help you cope with the symptoms. Talk to your healthcare provider before using any complementary therapy to ensure that it is safe.
Among the therapies that are thought to ease myoma symptoms:
There are other things you can do to better cope with fibroid symptoms, including:
Natural Alternative Treatments for Uterine Fibroids
Myomas are common, but each person’s experience will be different. Some people can effectively manage the condition with treatment, while others may be asymptomatic for years.
It’s important to note that leaving a myoma untreated can affect your reproductive health—even if you have no symptoms. This includes reduced fertility (difficulty getting pregnant) and complications like miscarriage or pre-term birth if you do get pregnant.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
A myoma that bursts requires immediate medical treatment. Seek immediate care if you experience the following signs and symptoms:
Summary
A myoma is a benign growth that arises in the smooth muscles of the uterus. Also known as a uterine fibroid, it can cause pelvic pain and abnormal menstrual bleeding in some people. Others may have no symptoms.
The diagnosis of myomas involves a pelvic exam and imaging studies like an ultrasound. Though medications may help ease symptoms and even shrink the tumor, surgery may be advised if it is causing intolerable pain or affecting your chances of pregnancy.
Uterine Conditions You Should Know About
18 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Uterine fibroids.Yang Q, Ciebiera M, Bariani MV, et al.Comprehensive review of uterine fibroids: developmental origin, pathogenesis, and treatment.Endocr Rev.2022 Aug;43(4):678–719. doi:10.1210/endrev/bnab039Prabhu JK, Samal S, Chandrasekar S, Subramani D, Rajamanickam S.A massive degenerative leiomyoma mimicking an ovarian tumor: a diagnostic dilemma.J Gynecol Surg. 2021;37(1):67-69. doi:10.1089/gyn.2020.0118Lim WH, Cohen SC, Lamaro VP.Intra-abdominal haemorrhage from uterine fibroids: a systematic review of the literature.BMC Surg.2020;20:70. doi:10.1186/s12893-020-00736-5American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Uterine fibroids.University of California San Francisco.Obstetrics & gynecology: fibroids.Pavone D, Clemenza S, Sorbi F, et al.Epidemiology and risk factors of uterine fibroids.Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol.2018:46;3-11. doi:10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2017.09.004Eltoukhi HM, Modi MN, Weston M, et al.The health disparities of uterine fibroid tumors for African American women: a public health issue.Am J Obstet Gynecol.2014;210(3):194-199. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2013.08.008Saldana TM, Moshesh M, Baird DD.Self-reported family history of leiomyoma: not a reliable marker of high risk.Ann Epidemiol.2013 May;23(5):286–290. doi:10.1016/j.annepidem.2013.03.003Edwards DRV, Baird DD, Hartmann KE.Association of age at menarche with increasing number of fibroids in a cohort of women Who underwent standardized ultrasound assessment.Am J Epidemiol.2013 Aug 1;178(3):426–433. doi:10.1093/aje/kws585Yang Y, He Y, Zeng Q, et al.Association of body size and body fat distribution with uterine fibroids among Chinese women.J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2014;23(7):619-26. doi:10.1089/jwh.2013.4690.Tinelli A, Vinciguerra M, Malvasi A, Andjic M, Babovic I, Sparic R.Uterine fibroids and diet.Int J Environ Res Public Health.2021 Feb; 8(3):1066. doi:10.3390/ijerph18031066Khan AT, Shehmar M, Gupta JK.Uterine fibroids: current perspectives.Int J Womens Health. 2014;6:95–114. doi:10.2147/IJWH.S51083Kim S, Han K, Choi SY, et al.Alcohol consumption and the risk of new-onset uterine leiomyomas: a nationwide population-based study in 2.5 million Korean women aged 20 to 39 years.Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2023 Jul;229(1):45.e1-45.e18. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2023.03.041Anniye IO, Laitner MH.Uterine fibroids: assessing unmet needs from bench to bedside.J Womens Health (Larchmt).2021 Aug;30(8):1060-1067. doi:10.1089/jwh.2021.0280Sohn GS, Cho S, Kim YM, et al.Current medical treatment of uterine fibroids.Obstet Gynecol Sci. 2018;61(2):192–201. doi:10.5468/ogs.2018.61.2.192Dalton-Brewer N.The role of complementary and alternative medicine for the management of fibroids and associated symptomatology.Curr Obstet Gynecol Rep. 2016;5:110-118. doi:10.1007/s13669-016-0156-0Datir SG, Bhake A.Management of uterine fibroids and its complications during pregnancy: a review of literature.Cureus.2022 Nov;14(11):e31080. doi:10.7759/cureus.31080
18 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Uterine fibroids.Yang Q, Ciebiera M, Bariani MV, et al.Comprehensive review of uterine fibroids: developmental origin, pathogenesis, and treatment.Endocr Rev.2022 Aug;43(4):678–719. doi:10.1210/endrev/bnab039Prabhu JK, Samal S, Chandrasekar S, Subramani D, Rajamanickam S.A massive degenerative leiomyoma mimicking an ovarian tumor: a diagnostic dilemma.J Gynecol Surg. 2021;37(1):67-69. doi:10.1089/gyn.2020.0118Lim WH, Cohen SC, Lamaro VP.Intra-abdominal haemorrhage from uterine fibroids: a systematic review of the literature.BMC Surg.2020;20:70. doi:10.1186/s12893-020-00736-5American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Uterine fibroids.University of California San Francisco.Obstetrics & gynecology: fibroids.Pavone D, Clemenza S, Sorbi F, et al.Epidemiology and risk factors of uterine fibroids.Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol.2018:46;3-11. doi:10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2017.09.004Eltoukhi HM, Modi MN, Weston M, et al.The health disparities of uterine fibroid tumors for African American women: a public health issue.Am J Obstet Gynecol.2014;210(3):194-199. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2013.08.008Saldana TM, Moshesh M, Baird DD.Self-reported family history of leiomyoma: not a reliable marker of high risk.Ann Epidemiol.2013 May;23(5):286–290. doi:10.1016/j.annepidem.2013.03.003Edwards DRV, Baird DD, Hartmann KE.Association of age at menarche with increasing number of fibroids in a cohort of women Who underwent standardized ultrasound assessment.Am J Epidemiol.2013 Aug 1;178(3):426–433. doi:10.1093/aje/kws585Yang Y, He Y, Zeng Q, et al.Association of body size and body fat distribution with uterine fibroids among Chinese women.J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2014;23(7):619-26. doi:10.1089/jwh.2013.4690.Tinelli A, Vinciguerra M, Malvasi A, Andjic M, Babovic I, Sparic R.Uterine fibroids and diet.Int J Environ Res Public Health.2021 Feb; 8(3):1066. doi:10.3390/ijerph18031066Khan AT, Shehmar M, Gupta JK.Uterine fibroids: current perspectives.Int J Womens Health. 2014;6:95–114. doi:10.2147/IJWH.S51083Kim S, Han K, Choi SY, et al.Alcohol consumption and the risk of new-onset uterine leiomyomas: a nationwide population-based study in 2.5 million Korean women aged 20 to 39 years.Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2023 Jul;229(1):45.e1-45.e18. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2023.03.041Anniye IO, Laitner MH.Uterine fibroids: assessing unmet needs from bench to bedside.J Womens Health (Larchmt).2021 Aug;30(8):1060-1067. doi:10.1089/jwh.2021.0280Sohn GS, Cho S, Kim YM, et al.Current medical treatment of uterine fibroids.Obstet Gynecol Sci. 2018;61(2):192–201. doi:10.5468/ogs.2018.61.2.192Dalton-Brewer N.The role of complementary and alternative medicine for the management of fibroids and associated symptomatology.Curr Obstet Gynecol Rep. 2016;5:110-118. doi:10.1007/s13669-016-0156-0Datir SG, Bhake A.Management of uterine fibroids and its complications during pregnancy: a review of literature.Cureus.2022 Nov;14(11):e31080. doi:10.7759/cureus.31080
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
MedlinePlus.Uterine fibroids.Yang Q, Ciebiera M, Bariani MV, et al.Comprehensive review of uterine fibroids: developmental origin, pathogenesis, and treatment.Endocr Rev.2022 Aug;43(4):678–719. doi:10.1210/endrev/bnab039Prabhu JK, Samal S, Chandrasekar S, Subramani D, Rajamanickam S.A massive degenerative leiomyoma mimicking an ovarian tumor: a diagnostic dilemma.J Gynecol Surg. 2021;37(1):67-69. doi:10.1089/gyn.2020.0118Lim WH, Cohen SC, Lamaro VP.Intra-abdominal haemorrhage from uterine fibroids: a systematic review of the literature.BMC Surg.2020;20:70. doi:10.1186/s12893-020-00736-5American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Uterine fibroids.University of California San Francisco.Obstetrics & gynecology: fibroids.Pavone D, Clemenza S, Sorbi F, et al.Epidemiology and risk factors of uterine fibroids.Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol.2018:46;3-11. doi:10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2017.09.004Eltoukhi HM, Modi MN, Weston M, et al.The health disparities of uterine fibroid tumors for African American women: a public health issue.Am J Obstet Gynecol.2014;210(3):194-199. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2013.08.008Saldana TM, Moshesh M, Baird DD.Self-reported family history of leiomyoma: not a reliable marker of high risk.Ann Epidemiol.2013 May;23(5):286–290. doi:10.1016/j.annepidem.2013.03.003Edwards DRV, Baird DD, Hartmann KE.Association of age at menarche with increasing number of fibroids in a cohort of women Who underwent standardized ultrasound assessment.Am J Epidemiol.2013 Aug 1;178(3):426–433. doi:10.1093/aje/kws585Yang Y, He Y, Zeng Q, et al.Association of body size and body fat distribution with uterine fibroids among Chinese women.J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2014;23(7):619-26. doi:10.1089/jwh.2013.4690.Tinelli A, Vinciguerra M, Malvasi A, Andjic M, Babovic I, Sparic R.Uterine fibroids and diet.Int J Environ Res Public Health.2021 Feb; 8(3):1066. doi:10.3390/ijerph18031066Khan AT, Shehmar M, Gupta JK.Uterine fibroids: current perspectives.Int J Womens Health. 2014;6:95–114. doi:10.2147/IJWH.S51083Kim S, Han K, Choi SY, et al.Alcohol consumption and the risk of new-onset uterine leiomyomas: a nationwide population-based study in 2.5 million Korean women aged 20 to 39 years.Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2023 Jul;229(1):45.e1-45.e18. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2023.03.041Anniye IO, Laitner MH.Uterine fibroids: assessing unmet needs from bench to bedside.J Womens Health (Larchmt).2021 Aug;30(8):1060-1067. doi:10.1089/jwh.2021.0280Sohn GS, Cho S, Kim YM, et al.Current medical treatment of uterine fibroids.Obstet Gynecol Sci. 2018;61(2):192–201. doi:10.5468/ogs.2018.61.2.192Dalton-Brewer N.The role of complementary and alternative medicine for the management of fibroids and associated symptomatology.Curr Obstet Gynecol Rep. 2016;5:110-118. doi:10.1007/s13669-016-0156-0Datir SG, Bhake A.Management of uterine fibroids and its complications during pregnancy: a review of literature.Cureus.2022 Nov;14(11):e31080. doi:10.7759/cureus.31080
MedlinePlus.Uterine fibroids.
Yang Q, Ciebiera M, Bariani MV, et al.Comprehensive review of uterine fibroids: developmental origin, pathogenesis, and treatment.Endocr Rev.2022 Aug;43(4):678–719. doi:10.1210/endrev/bnab039
Prabhu JK, Samal S, Chandrasekar S, Subramani D, Rajamanickam S.A massive degenerative leiomyoma mimicking an ovarian tumor: a diagnostic dilemma.J Gynecol Surg. 2021;37(1):67-69. doi:10.1089/gyn.2020.0118
Lim WH, Cohen SC, Lamaro VP.Intra-abdominal haemorrhage from uterine fibroids: a systematic review of the literature.BMC Surg.2020;20:70. doi:10.1186/s12893-020-00736-5
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Uterine fibroids.
University of California San Francisco.Obstetrics & gynecology: fibroids.
Pavone D, Clemenza S, Sorbi F, et al.Epidemiology and risk factors of uterine fibroids.Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol.2018:46;3-11. doi:10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2017.09.004
Eltoukhi HM, Modi MN, Weston M, et al.The health disparities of uterine fibroid tumors for African American women: a public health issue.Am J Obstet Gynecol.2014;210(3):194-199. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2013.08.008
Saldana TM, Moshesh M, Baird DD.Self-reported family history of leiomyoma: not a reliable marker of high risk.Ann Epidemiol.2013 May;23(5):286–290. doi:10.1016/j.annepidem.2013.03.003
Edwards DRV, Baird DD, Hartmann KE.Association of age at menarche with increasing number of fibroids in a cohort of women Who underwent standardized ultrasound assessment.Am J Epidemiol.2013 Aug 1;178(3):426–433. doi:10.1093/aje/kws585
Yang Y, He Y, Zeng Q, et al.Association of body size and body fat distribution with uterine fibroids among Chinese women.J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2014;23(7):619-26. doi:10.1089/jwh.2013.4690.
Tinelli A, Vinciguerra M, Malvasi A, Andjic M, Babovic I, Sparic R.Uterine fibroids and diet.Int J Environ Res Public Health.2021 Feb; 8(3):1066. doi:10.3390/ijerph18031066
Khan AT, Shehmar M, Gupta JK.Uterine fibroids: current perspectives.Int J Womens Health. 2014;6:95–114. doi:10.2147/IJWH.S51083
Kim S, Han K, Choi SY, et al.Alcohol consumption and the risk of new-onset uterine leiomyomas: a nationwide population-based study in 2.5 million Korean women aged 20 to 39 years.Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2023 Jul;229(1):45.e1-45.e18. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2023.03.041
Anniye IO, Laitner MH.Uterine fibroids: assessing unmet needs from bench to bedside.J Womens Health (Larchmt).2021 Aug;30(8):1060-1067. doi:10.1089/jwh.2021.0280
Sohn GS, Cho S, Kim YM, et al.Current medical treatment of uterine fibroids.Obstet Gynecol Sci. 2018;61(2):192–201. doi:10.5468/ogs.2018.61.2.192
Dalton-Brewer N.The role of complementary and alternative medicine for the management of fibroids and associated symptomatology.Curr Obstet Gynecol Rep. 2016;5:110-118. doi:10.1007/s13669-016-0156-0
Datir SG, Bhake A.Management of uterine fibroids and its complications during pregnancy: a review of literature.Cureus.2022 Nov;14(11):e31080. doi:10.7759/cureus.31080
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