Fibroid Tumors Can Put Pressure On The Bladder
Millions of women struggle with fibroid tumors, non-cancerous growths that can grow inside the uterus, within the uterine wall or outside of the uterus. Some can be so large and heavy that they distort the size of the uterus and put pressure on the bladder and/or rectum. The UCLA Fibroid Treatment Center estimates that 60 to 80% of women may develop fibroids by the time they reach age 50. If a fibroid is pressing against the bladder, it can mimic many of the symptoms of IC, including urinary frequency, sleeplessness, nocturia, and difficulty starting urination. When fibroid tumors are reduced in size and/or removed, urinary symptoms can improve dramatically. In fact, 97% of the patients in one study had urinary symptoms and 65% were “cured” of their urinary symptoms once the fibroids were treated. A variety of therapies are available including medications, minimally invasive and/or surgical procedures.
Helpful Links
- Fibroid Tumors and the Bladder – A Hidden Source of Urinary Symptoms
- Fibroid Treatment Collective
- The Fibroid Foundation
- National Women’s Health Network – Fibroids