Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCauses of Break DownSigns of BreakdownTypesSymptomsWhen to Get HelpTreatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes of Break Down
Signs of Breakdown
Types
Symptoms
When to Get Help
Treatment
This article lists the signs that fibroids are breaking down. It explains the different types of fibroids, how they may be prevented and treated, and when to see a healthcare provider.
Verywell / Jessica Olah
Why Fibroids Break Down
Fibroids occur in up to 12.5% of all pregnancies.Degeneration can occur during pregnancy when the growth of the pregnancy compromises the blood supply of the fibroid.
What Does It Feel Like When a Fibroid Breaks Down?
Signs that fibroids are breaking down may include:
The pain from a degenerating fibroid can last from a few days to a few weeks, but everyone experiences fibroids differently.
Even if symptoms go away, it is still important to see a healthcare professional and address the problem. Fibroids will begin to grow again once they start receiving adequate blood supply, and will eventually reach the point they start degenerating again, causing a painful cycle.
Types of Degenerating Fibroids
About 65% of uterine fibroids eventually undergo some form of degeneration.
The type of degeneration depends on the degree of vascular insufficiency (lack of adequate blood supply) and how rapidly it occurs.Types of degenerating fibroids are as follows:
Hyaline Degeneration
Hyaline degeneration is the most common type of fibroid degeneration, accounting for as many as 63% of cases. This type of degeneration happens when a fibroid outgrows its blood supply.
Myxoid Degeneration
Myxoiddegeneration is the second most common type of fibroid degeneration, accounting for about 19% of cases.
Myxoid degeneration refers to a fibroid that starts to have a more jelly-like composition, rather than normal tissues. This type of fibroid degeneration also occurs when a fibroid outgrows its blood supply.
These fibroids lack mitotic activity, meaning that their cells are not dividing and growing the way normal cells do. For this reason, fibroids undergoing myxoid degeneration can look similar to a rare form of cancer calledleiomyosarcoma.
Calcification
Calcification is the process in which a fibroid calcifies, or transforms some or all of its tissue into a hard mass. Calcification happens as a result of calcium deposits that form when the fibroid is dying. About 8% of fibroids that degenerate undergo calcification.
Cystic Degeneration
Cystic degeneration is a type of fibroid degeneration that most often occursafter menopause. Fibroids undergoing cystic degeneration take on a liquid, honeycomb-like pattern under a microscope, and may mimic anovarian cyst. About 4% of degenerating fibroids undergo cystic degeneration.
Red Degeneration
The least common form of fibroid degeneration is red degeneration, or carneous degeneration, accounting for about 3% of degenerating fibroids. This type of fibroid degeneration usually occurs during pregnancy but can happen in people who are not pregnant, particularly those who use contraceptive drugs.
A fibroid undergoing red degeneration turns almost red due to massive internal hemorrhaging (bleeding) and is usually due to a ruptured blood vessel inside the fibroid.
What Does a Fibroid Look Like?Fibroids vary in size and texture. Some fibroids never grow more than 5 centimeters in length, while others surpass 10 centimeters. Fibroids can be smooth and round or irregularly shaped and lumpy. You may never know what a fibroid looks like unless it detaches from the uterine wall and leaves your body through the vagina. This is called fibroid expulsion. It is rare, but may also cause abdominal pain and bleeding as it happens.
What Does a Fibroid Look Like?
Fibroids vary in size and texture. Some fibroids never grow more than 5 centimeters in length, while others surpass 10 centimeters. Fibroids can be smooth and round or irregularly shaped and lumpy. You may never know what a fibroid looks like unless it detaches from the uterine wall and leaves your body through the vagina. This is called fibroid expulsion. It is rare, but may also cause abdominal pain and bleeding as it happens.
Fibroid Symptoms
Typicalsymptoms of fibroidscan include:
Are Fibroids Always Symptomatic?Fibroids do not always cause symptoms. Many people with fibroids experience few or no symptoms and may not realize they have fibroids. It is possible for degenerating fibroids to also be asymptomatic, but they tend to cause more, and more severe, symptoms than fibroids alone. For many people, degenerating fibroids are their first indication that they have fibroids at all.
Are Fibroids Always Symptomatic?
Fibroids do not always cause symptoms. Many people with fibroids experience few or no symptoms and may not realize they have fibroids. It is possible for degenerating fibroids to also be asymptomatic, but they tend to cause more, and more severe, symptoms than fibroids alone. For many people, degenerating fibroids are their first indication that they have fibroids at all.
What Are Uterine Fibroids?
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Any symptoms of fibroids or degenerating fibroids warrant avisit to a healthcare provider. While fibroids themselves are not usually life-threatening, they can cause discomfort and complications such as anemia, and put stress on surrounding organs.
In addition to the fibroids themselves, symptoms of degenerating fibroids can mimic more serious conditions, and can also be harder to diagnose with imaging equipment.
Seek immediate medical attention if:
Fibroid Treatment
The best way to prevent fibroids from breaking down is to treat the fibroids before they degenerate and take measures to stop them from recurring. Treatment for fibroids and fibroid symptoms include:
Medications:
Surgeries:
Medical procedures:
How Do You Help Fibroid Degeneration Pain?
Summary
Fibroid degeneration may cause unpleasant symptoms, including pelvic or abdominal pain that may last a few days to a few weeks, fever, and bleeding. Unfortunately, fibroids that break down often regrow once adequate blood supply returns.
See a healthcare provider if you suspect you have fibroid symptoms or symptoms of degenerating fibroids. Because fibroids commonly come back, your provider may suggest surgery or another specialist procedure to prevent this. If you have pain due to a fibroid breaking down, taking an NSAID medication, such as ibuprofen or naproxen, may help.
10 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.USA Fibroid Centers.Fibroid degeneration.Anyanwu M, Gassama K, Kandeh M.Diagnostic dilemma of hyaline cystic degeneration of uterine fibroids.Obstet Gynecol Int J. 2019 May;10(3):10.15406/ogij.2019.10.00444Shrestha R, Khanal R, Aryal MR, et al.Fibroid degeneration in a postmenopausal woman presenting as an acute abdomen.J Commun Hosp Intern Med Perspect. 2015;5(1):25917. doi:10.3402/jchimp.v5.25917Prabhu 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.2020.0118Fibroid Treatment Collective.What is degenerating fibroids?.Bhuyar S, Sontakke B, Rajbhara PM.Degenerated fibroid - a diagnostic challenge.Int J Reprod Contracept Obstet Gynecol. 2016 Dec;6(1):292. doi:10.18203/2320-1770.ijrcog20164677Camran Nezhat Institute.Uterine fibroid tumors - question about fibroids.Patel T, Pajai S, Mahajan K.Spontaneous expulsion of a prolapsed pedunculated uterine leiomyoma: A rare gynecologic enigma.Cureus. 2022 Dec;14(12):e32832. doi:10.7759/cureus.32832MyHealth Alberta.Uterine fibroids: care instructions.Mount Sinai.Uterine fibroids and hysterectomy.
10 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.USA Fibroid Centers.Fibroid degeneration.Anyanwu M, Gassama K, Kandeh M.Diagnostic dilemma of hyaline cystic degeneration of uterine fibroids.Obstet Gynecol Int J. 2019 May;10(3):10.15406/ogij.2019.10.00444Shrestha R, Khanal R, Aryal MR, et al.Fibroid degeneration in a postmenopausal woman presenting as an acute abdomen.J Commun Hosp Intern Med Perspect. 2015;5(1):25917. doi:10.3402/jchimp.v5.25917Prabhu 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.2020.0118Fibroid Treatment Collective.What is degenerating fibroids?.Bhuyar S, Sontakke B, Rajbhara PM.Degenerated fibroid - a diagnostic challenge.Int J Reprod Contracept Obstet Gynecol. 2016 Dec;6(1):292. doi:10.18203/2320-1770.ijrcog20164677Camran Nezhat Institute.Uterine fibroid tumors - question about fibroids.Patel T, Pajai S, Mahajan K.Spontaneous expulsion of a prolapsed pedunculated uterine leiomyoma: A rare gynecologic enigma.Cureus. 2022 Dec;14(12):e32832. doi:10.7759/cureus.32832MyHealth Alberta.Uterine fibroids: care instructions.Mount Sinai.Uterine fibroids and hysterectomy.
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.
USA Fibroid Centers.Fibroid degeneration.Anyanwu M, Gassama K, Kandeh M.Diagnostic dilemma of hyaline cystic degeneration of uterine fibroids.Obstet Gynecol Int J. 2019 May;10(3):10.15406/ogij.2019.10.00444Shrestha R, Khanal R, Aryal MR, et al.Fibroid degeneration in a postmenopausal woman presenting as an acute abdomen.J Commun Hosp Intern Med Perspect. 2015;5(1):25917. doi:10.3402/jchimp.v5.25917Prabhu 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.2020.0118Fibroid Treatment Collective.What is degenerating fibroids?.Bhuyar S, Sontakke B, Rajbhara PM.Degenerated fibroid - a diagnostic challenge.Int J Reprod Contracept Obstet Gynecol. 2016 Dec;6(1):292. doi:10.18203/2320-1770.ijrcog20164677Camran Nezhat Institute.Uterine fibroid tumors - question about fibroids.Patel T, Pajai S, Mahajan K.Spontaneous expulsion of a prolapsed pedunculated uterine leiomyoma: A rare gynecologic enigma.Cureus. 2022 Dec;14(12):e32832. doi:10.7759/cureus.32832MyHealth Alberta.Uterine fibroids: care instructions.Mount Sinai.Uterine fibroids and hysterectomy.
USA Fibroid Centers.Fibroid degeneration.
Anyanwu M, Gassama K, Kandeh M.Diagnostic dilemma of hyaline cystic degeneration of uterine fibroids.Obstet Gynecol Int J. 2019 May;10(3):10.15406/ogij.2019.10.00444
Shrestha R, Khanal R, Aryal MR, et al.Fibroid degeneration in a postmenopausal woman presenting as an acute abdomen.J Commun Hosp Intern Med Perspect. 2015;5(1):25917. doi:10.3402/jchimp.v5.25917
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
Fibroid Treatment Collective.What is degenerating fibroids?.
Bhuyar S, Sontakke B, Rajbhara PM.Degenerated fibroid - a diagnostic challenge.Int J Reprod Contracept Obstet Gynecol. 2016 Dec;6(1):292. doi:10.18203/2320-1770.ijrcog20164677
Camran Nezhat Institute.Uterine fibroid tumors - question about fibroids.
Patel T, Pajai S, Mahajan K.Spontaneous expulsion of a prolapsed pedunculated uterine leiomyoma: A rare gynecologic enigma.Cureus. 2022 Dec;14(12):e32832. doi:10.7759/cureus.32832
MyHealth Alberta.Uterine fibroids: care instructions.
Mount Sinai.Uterine fibroids and hysterectomy.
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