What are uterine fibroids?
Uterine fibroids are the most common benign tumors in women; the incidence is high, but not every woman experiences symptoms. Watch OB/GYN specialist Jessica Shepherd, MD, explain what uterine fibroids are, as well as some of the main symptoms.
Transcript
Uterine fibroids are actually the most common benign tumor in women. [MUSIC PLAYING]
And you're going to find those in the uterus. And basically, we have women who have symptoms and women who do not have symptoms.
The incidence of fibroids is actually relatively high. Up to 50% of women by the age of 50 have fibroids.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
And in African-American woman, up to 80% of women by the age of 50 have fibroids. [MUSIC PLAYING]
When we discuss fibroids, we always discuss asymptomatic and symptomatic fibroids. Symptomatic fibroids are usually when the woman
presents to their gynecologist. And the symptoms that they usually present with are very heavy menstrual bleeding.
We have abdominal distension is when they notice that there is an increased bloating in their abdomen. The fibroids can also rest on the bladder.
And that can cause urinary incontinence. It can also rest on the bowel, which sometimes can cause some constipation issues.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
[HEARTBEAT] [BEEPING]
womens health
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