What Increases Your Risk

Factors that increase a woman's risk for uterine fibroids include:

• Age. Fibroids become more common as women age, especially from the 30s and 40s through menopause. After menopause, fibroids usually shrink.
• Family history. Having a family member with fibroids increases your risk.
• Ethnic origin. Black women are more likely to develop fibroids than white women.
• Obesity.

When To Call a Doctor

Call to make an appointment if you have possible symptoms of a problem from a uterine fibroid, including:

• Heavy menstrual bleeding.
• Periods that have changed from relatively pain-free to painful over the past 3 to 6 months.
• Frequent painful urination, or an inability to control the flow of urine.
• A change in the length of your menstrual cycle over 3 to 6 menstrual cycles.
• New persistent pain or heaviness in the lower abdomen or pelvis.

Watchful waiting

Unless you have bothersome or severe symptoms, you will probably only need to have a fibroid checked during your yearly gynecological exam.

During a pregnancy, your doctor will check for changes in fibroid size and position.

Who to see

Uterine fibroids can be diagnosed and treated by any of the following health professionals:

• Family medicine physician
• Gynecologist
• Internist
• Nurse practitioner
• Physician assistant

You may need to see a gynecologist for further testing or treatment.

To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment.