Myths about fibroids can interfere with your ability to receive prompt and appropriate care. Unfortunately, while about 80% of women will develop fibroids in their lifetimes, persistent myths make them choose less-than-ideal treatments. So, to help remove barriers to care, this post shares the truth behind some of the most common fibroid myths.

Key Takeaways

• Persistent myths about fibroids interfere with women receiving prompt and appropriate treatment
• These uterine tumors aren’t cancerous, and don’t necessarily require surgical treatment when you’re seeking symptom relief
• You can shrink fibroid tumors via minimally-invasive Uterine Fibroid Embolization, helping relieve your symptoms with a reduced risk for complications

#1 Virginity ‘Protects’ Against Fibroids

Many women have been taught that fibroids can’t develop if you are still a virgin, especially on social media. Unfortunately, that myth about fibroids can lead to years of delayed fibroid diagnoses; young women with debilitating menstrual cramps and heavy bleeding falsely believe that they can’t develop these tumors if they haven’t been sexually active. In truth, fibroid development has nothing to do with your virginity. And, while we don’t know the exact reason they do develop, risk factors for fibroid development include family history; race; exposure to hormone-disrupting chemicals; hormonal imbalances; and even beginning menstruation at an early age.

#2 Myths About Fibroids: That They’re Cancerous

A common fibroid myth is that the tumors in your uterus are cancerous. In fact, they are benign tumors, formed from muscular tissue. Unlike tumors caused by cancer, what causes fibroids involves a complex mix of race; genetics; family history; hormone levels and environmental exposure. And, while fibroid symptoms can be disruptive and interfere with your quality of life, they are rarely dangerous.

#3 Fibroid Myths: All Women with Fibroids Experience Symptoms

Contrary to popular belief, not all women have symptomatic fibroids. While some women won’t even be aware of a uterine tumor’s presence, others will experience fibroid symptoms such as pelvic pain, menstrual cramps, heavy bleeding and more. Sometimes, these symptoms can be managed with changes in diet and exercise, or with medications. However, persistent symptoms may require further medical intervention in order to provide lasting relief.

#4 Fibroids Always Cause Infertility

Can fibroids impact your ability to conceive? This is absolutely a possibility, but many women are still able to become pregnant and carry a baby to term, even with uterine fibroids. However, because fibroids can cause infertility, or interfere with pregnancy and delivery, many women prefer to seek uterus-preserving treatment before attempting to conceive. You can learn more about pregnancy after UFE here, if this is one of the treatment options you’re considering.

#5 Myths About Fibroids: All Fibroids Shrink After Menopause

Popular fibroid myths state that your tumors will shrink after menopause. For many women, that is true. But not all women’s fibroid symptoms will be resolved by the hormonal changes that come with menopause. That could be true if you had very large fibroids, and the hormonal drop of menopause did not shrink the tumors enough to relieve your symptoms. Alternatively, if you take hormone therapy to ease symptoms of menopause, fibroids growth and symptoms could persist. 

#6 All Symptomatic Fibroids Must Be Removed

This is the final fibroid myth we’re debunking today: even when fibroids are symptomatic, you don’t have to surgically remove the tumors to find relief. Some women can manage their symptoms with medications; others can find relief with diet, exercise and self-care. Still others can shrink their tumors with Uterine Fibroid Embolization, a minimally invasive procedure that provides symptom relief without removing individual tumors. You can start to explore your candidacy for this procedure by reviewing if UFE is right for me,  and by requesting a consultation with the specialists at one of three Atlanta-area Georgia Endovascular locations.  tation [/ga-appt-link] with the specialists at  Georgia Fibroids.