July Is Fibroids Awareness Month: 5 Things Every Woman Should Know

July is Uterine Fibroids Awareness Month and it’s a timely reminder that one of the most common gynecologic conditions affecting women is also one of the most underdiagnosed and undertreated. Millions of women live with fibroids for years without knowing it, attributing their symptoms to just a difficult cycle or stress. Others know they have fibroids but feel uncertain about what that means for their health and their future.

At Alliance OB/GYN, Drs. Bills and Hsiao are committed to making sure every patient has the information she needs to understand her body and make confident, informed decisions about her care. This month, we’re breaking down five things every woman should know about uterine fibroids.

1. Fibroids Are Extremely Common And You May Not Know You Have Them

Uterine fibroids are noncancerous growths that develop in or around the wall of the uterus. They’re made up of smooth muscle and connective tissue, and they can range from the size of a seed to larger than a grapefruit. Some women have just one; others have several.

By age 50, studies estimate that up to 80% of women will have developed fibroids at some point in their lives. Yet because many fibroids cause no symptoms at all, a large portion of those women will never know they have them. Fibroids are often discovered incidentally during a routine well woman examination or gynecological sonography,  which is one of the many reasons annual preventive care matters so much.

Fibroids are not cancer, and having fibroids does not increase your risk of uterine cancer. While that’s reassuring, it doesn’t mean they should always be ignored because when fibroids do cause symptoms, those symptoms can be significant.

2. The Symptoms Can Be Easy to Dismiss (But Shouldn’t Be)

Many women spend years attributing fibroid symptoms to “just a bad period” or “normal” discomfort. But fibroids can cause symptoms that genuinely affect quality of life and that deserve attention and treatment. The most common symptoms include:

• Heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding, sometimes with large clots
• Periods that last longer than seven days
• Pelvic pressure or a sensation of fullness: similar to feeling bloated or as if something is pressing on the bladder or bowel
• Frequent urination or difficulty fully emptying the bladder
• Pelvic pain or pressure during sex
• Lower back or leg pain
• An abdomen that appears enlarged or distended

Heavy menstrual bleeding from fibroids can, over time, lead to iron-deficiency anemia; leaving women feeling fatigued, weak, and short of breath. If your periods have become noticeably heavier, longer, or more disruptive than they used to be, that’s worth discussing with your gynecologist.

3. Black Women Are Disproportionately Affected

This is an important equity point that often goes unacknowledged: Black women develop fibroids at two to three times the rate of white women, tend to develop them at younger ages, and are more likely to experience severe symptoms. Despite this, research consistently shows that Black women face significant delays in diagnosis and are less likely to be offered the full range of treatment options.

The reasons behind this disparity are complex and not fully understood, but they likely involve a combination of genetic factors, hormonal differences, chronic stress related to systemic racism, and disparities in healthcare access and quality. Some research also points to environmental exposures, including hair relaxers, as a potential contributing factor, though studies are ongoing.

If you are a Black woman experiencing any symptoms that concern you, we want you to know: your symptoms are valid, you deserve thorough evaluation, and you have the right to ask questions about every available treatment option. Our practice is here to provide that care without bias.

4. There Are More Treatment Options Than You May Realize

One of the most important things we want patients to know is that there is no single “standard” approach to fibroids. Treatment depends on a number of factors:  the size and location of the fibroids, the severity of symptoms, your age, and whether you want to preserve fertility. The options range from watchful waiting to minimally invasive procedures to surgery, and everything in between.

A non-exhaustive overview of fibroid management options includes:

Watchful waiting. If fibroids are small, not growing, and causing no significant symptoms, monitoring over time without active treatment is often perfectly appropriate. Many fibroids shrink naturally after menopause when estrogen levels decline.

Medication. Hormonal medications including: progestin-releasing IUDs, combined oral contraceptives, and GnRH agonists can help manage heavy bleeding and temporarily shrink fibroids. They don’t eliminate fibroids permanently, but they can make symptoms much more manageable.

Minimally invasive procedures. Several procedures can treat fibroids while preserving the uterus, including uterine fibroid embolization (UFE), endometrial ablation, and focused ultrasound. These approaches have shorter recovery times than open surgery and are appropriate for many patients.

Myomectomy. This surgical procedure removes fibroids while leaving the uterus intact. It’s often recommended for women who want to preserve their fertility. Depending on the location and number of fibroids, it may be performed laparoscopically, hysteroscopically, or through an open incision.

Hysterectomy. The surgical removal of the uterus is the only permanent cure for fibroids. It’s an appropriate choice for some women, particularly those who have completed their families and have severe, treatment-resistant symptoms. It is never the only option, however, and should always be presented alongside alternatives.

Your treatment plan should be built around your goals, your symptoms, and your values. Our team will take the time to walk through all of your options and help you find the approach that fits your life. Learn more about our gynecological surgery services or schedule a gynecology consultation to get started.

5. Fibroids Can Affect Fertility, But So Can Leaving Them Untreated

For women who are pregnant or hoping to become pregnant, fibroids raise understandable concerns. The relationship between fibroids and fertility is nuanced: most fibroids do not significantly affect the ability to conceive or carry a pregnancy. However, certain types: particularly those that distort the shape of the uterine cavity (submucosal fibroids) can interfere with implantation or increase the risk of pregnancy complications including miscarriage, preterm labor, or delivery complications.

If you have experienced recurrent pregnancy loss or have been struggling to conceive, fibroids are one of the factors your doctor will want to evaluate. A gynecological sonogram can help determine whether fibroids are present and whether their size or location may be relevant to your situation.

The important takeaway: if you’re planning a pregnancy and you know you have fibroids, or if you’ve had difficulty conceiving or maintaining a pregnancy, bring it up with your OB/GYN. Addressing fibroids before trying to conceive, when appropriate, can improve outcomes and reduce anxiety during the process.

When Should You Come In?

You don’t need to wait until your symptoms feel unbearable to seek care. We encourage you to schedule an appointment if:

• Your periods have become heavier, longer, or more painful than usual
• You experience bleeding between periods
• You feel pelvic pressure, fullness, or discomfort that doesn’t go away
• You’ve been diagnosed with anemia without a clear cause
• You’ve had difficulty conceiving or have experienced pregnancy loss
• You have a known fibroid diagnosis and want to review your options or check for changes

Fibroids Awareness Month is a good time to take stock of your own health and to start a conversation if you’ve been putting one off. You deserve clear answers and care that’s personalized to you.

If you have questions about fibroids or want to discuss your symptoms, we encourage you to reach out. Contact Alliance OB/GYN to schedule an appointment with Dr. Bills or Dr. Hsiao, or call our Alpharetta office at (770) 777-4933. Existing patients can also schedule online.