Fibroids Can Grow in Several Places [1]:

• Submucosal: tumors grow into the uterine cavity.
• Intramural: tumors grow within the wall of the uterus.
• Subserosal: tumors grow outside the walls of the uterus.
• Penducluated: tumors grow on stalks coming out from the surface of the uterus.

Women who have fibroids are more likely to experience difficulties during pregnancy and childbirth, but this does not mean that they cannot safely carry and deliver a child. Most women with fibroids have healthy pregnancies and births. Pregnant women with fibroids are not considered to be high-risk.

Women who have fibroids will be relieved to learn that fewer than 1 in 1,000 cases of fibroids are cancerous. Having fibroids does not increase your risk of developing uterine cancer later on.

Depending on how serious they are, there are various ways to treat fibroids. These include:

• Take ibuprofen or acetaminophen for mild pain.
• If you experience heavy bleeding, you can take iron supplements to prevent anemia.
• Low-dose birth control or progesterone-like birth control (i.e., Depo Provera or Mirena) can also control heavy bleeding.
• Discontinue estrogen use to shrink fibroids.
• Change your diet: a diet rich in whole grains and Vitamins B and E can help lower excessive estrogen levels. Soybeans and soy products are also helpful because they are rich in plant estrogens, lowering estrogen levels. Eat fish with high levels of linolenic acid, which helps alleviate cramps. You can experiment with avoiding dairy products and meats that are high in saturated fats, alcohol, and excess salt to reduce cramping and pain.

 Removing Fibroids Surgically:

• Uterine Artery Embolization (UAE): This surgery cuts off blood supply to the fibroids. Women cannot get pregnant after this surgery, so it should only be used for those who do not want to have children later. It is more effective in treating submucosal and intramural fibroids.
• Endometrial Ablation: This surgery removes the uterine lining to control very heavy bleeding. Women cannot get pregnant after this surgery, so it should only be used for those who do not want to have children later. About half of the women who have this surgery stop menstruating; about one-third have much lighter bleeding.
• Myolysis: This surgery first shrinks fibroids with GnRH agonists for three months, then the fibroids are destroyed with electricity or by freezing. This is not the best option for women who want to completely remove the fibroids because the GnRH agonist treatment can complicate future surgery.
• Myomectomy: This surgery removes only the fibroids, leaving the uterus’ healthy areas intact. It is most suitable for women who do want to have children later on. New fibroids may grow after this surgery, however.
• Hysterectomy: This surgery removes the uterus entirely. Doctors refer to fibroids as "fibroid tumors" to make them sound more serious and to make hysterectomies sound more appealing. The NWHN recommends trying alternatives to hysterectomy first because the procedure is very serious and irreversible. If you have a hysterectomy, keep your ovaries unless you have a family history of ovarian cancer.