What is a Degenerating Fibroid?

Fibroids are non-cancerous tumors that form in your uterus, or attached to your uterus via stalk-like growths. Sometimes, a tumor can begin to shrink on its own due to a loss of or insufficient blood supply, becoming a degenerating fibroid. If that happens, you may experience painful symptoms, sometimes severe enough to leave you seeking medical intervention.

Why can a uterine fibroid disintegrate?

Scientists are still trying to determine exactly why fibroids form in the first place. However, certain factors could increase the odd of a fibroid starting to disintegrate:

• Rapid growth
• Growing large in size
• A fibroid that grows too large for its existing blood supply

Isn’t it good if my fibroid degenerates?

While a fibroid shrinking on its own sounds like a positive development, that’s not really the case. In fact, degenerating fibroids may experience renewed growth following shrinkage, leading to a cycle of growth and regeneration that can be extremely painful.

How does it feel when a fibroid disintegrates?

A disintegrating fibroid can lead to bleeding that causes abdominal pain or pressure. Chronic pelvic pain could also be a concern, especially if the fibroid is caught in a cycle of disintegration and regrowth. You may develop a low-grade fever, and a uterine tumor that is disintegrating could prolapse from the uterus, causing further complications. However, in most cases, you won’t have to worry about serious medical concerns such as dangerously heavy bleeding.

Can you prevent a degenerated fibroid?

One of the best ways to prevent fibroids from disintegrating is to seek treatment before tumors grow large. When fibroids are on the smaller side, you may be able to find relief with non or minimally invasive fibroid treatments such as lifestyle changes, medications, or Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE). Waiting until fibroids are larger or more numerous may increase the chances that you will need to treat them surgically.

Have you received a fibroid diagnosis and aren’t sure what to do now? Our Houston area fibroid specialists are here to help. When you request a consultation with our interventional radiologists, we can discuss treatment options and help reduce your risk for a ruptured fibroid.