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Uterine fibroids, also known as uterine leiomyoma, myoma, fibromyoma, fibroleiomyoma, are benign smooth muscle tumors of the uterus. Most women have no symptoms while others may have painful or heavy periods. If they push on the bladder a frequent need to urinate may occur. They may also cause pain during sex or lower back pain. A woman can have one uterine fibroid or many of them. Occasionally fibroids may make it difficult to get pregnant although this is uncommon. The exact cause is unclear. However, fibroids run in families and appear to be partly determined by hormone levels. Risk factors include obesity and eating a lot of red meat. Diagnosis may occur by pelvic examination or medical imaging.〔 Treatment is typically not needed if there are no symptoms. In those with mild symptoms, ibuprofen or paracetamol (acetaminophen) may help. Iron supplements may be needed in those with heavy periods. Medications of the gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist class may decrease the size of the fibroids but are expensive and associated with side effects. If greater symptoms are present, surgery to remove the fibroid or uterus may help. Uterine artery embolization may also help. Cancerous versions of fibroids are very rare and are known as leiomyosarcomas. They do not appear to develop from benign fibroids.〔 About 20% to 80% of women develop fibroids by the age of 50.〔 In 2013 it was estimated that 171 million women were affected. They are typically found during the middle and later reproductive years. After menopause they usually decrease in size.〔 In the United States, uterine fibroids are a common reason for surgical removal of the uterus. ==Signs and symptoms== Fibroids, particularly when small, may be entirely asymptomatic. Symptoms depend on the location and size of the fibroid. Important symptoms include abnormal uterine bleeding, heavy or painful periods, abdominal discomfort or bloating, painful defecation, back ache, urinary frequency or retention, and in some cases, infertility.〔(【引用サイトリンク】 Benign Uterine Fibroid Tumors (What to Know) )〕 There may also be pain during intercourse, depending on the location of the fibroid. During pregnancy they may also be the cause of miscarriage, bleeding, premature labor, or interference with the position of the fetus. While fibroids are common, they are not a typical cause for infertility, accounting for about 3% of reasons why a woman may not be able to have a child.〔(American Society of Reproductive Medicine Patient Booklet: ''Uterine Fibroids'', 2003 )〕 The majority of women with uterine fibroids will have normal pregnancy outcomes. In cases of intercurrent uterine fibroids in infertility, a fibroid is typically located in a submucosal position and it is thought that this location may interfere with the function of the lining and the ability of the embryo to implant.〔 Also larger fibroids may distort or block the fallopian tubes. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「uterine fibroid」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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