Fibroids

Diagnosis

Usually, a woman doesn't realize that she has a fibroid until her gynecologist feels it during a pelvic exam. If your gynecologist thinks you have a fibroid, several tests can confirm the diagnosis:

• Pelvic ultrasound - In this radiology test, a wand-like instrument will be moved over your lower abdomen or may be inserted in your vagina to view the uterus and other pelvic organs more closely. The instrument produces sound waves that create an image of your pelvic organs.

• Hysterosalpingogram - In this X-ray procedure, a dye is injected into your uterus and fallopian tubes to outline any irregularities.

• Hysteroscopy - During this procedure, a narrow instrument that looks like a telescope is inserted through your vagina into your uterus. This lets the doctor look for abnormal growths inside your uterus.

• Laparoscopy - In this procedure, a thin tube-like instrument called a laparoscope is inserted through a small incision in your belly so the doctor can look inside the abdomen.

Expected Duration

The number of fibroids, their size and how fast they grow varies among women. Female hormones encourage fibroids to grow, so they continue growing until menopause. Smaller fibroids often shrink or disappear after menopause. However, larger fibroids may change little or become slightly smaller in size. If a woman has had fibroids removed surgically, new fibroids can appear any time before she enters menopause.