Uterine Fibroids After Menopause: What You Need to Know
Uterine fibroids are a common concern for many women during their reproductive years, causing symptoms such as heavy menstrual bleeding, pelvic pain, and discomfort. However, as women enter menopause, a common question arises: Can uterine fibroids shrink after menopause?
In this blog, we will understand the presence of uterine fibroids after menopause, uterine fibroid bleeding after menopause, and complications from uterine fibroids post-menopause. Explore the symptoms and discuss the available treatment options.
Understanding Uterine Fibroids After Menopause
Uterine fibroids are noncancerous growths in the uterus that can cause abnormal bleeding, discomfort, and pain. Hormones like estrogen and progesterone stimulate their growth.
Despite the common belief that fibroids will naturally disappear after menopause, this isn’t always the case.
Around 80% of women may experience the development of uterine fibroids by the age of 50. Although the precise cause of their formation remains unknown, there is a connection between uterine fibroids and estrogen production.
What happens to your body during menopause?
Menopause is a natural biological process marking the end of a woman’s reproductive years, confirmed after 12 consecutive months without a menstrual cycle. The preceding stage, perimenopause, involves various menopausal changes and symptoms as the body undergoes this transition.
Some of the changes that happen to your body during menopause:
- Estrogen and progesterone production stops.
- Ovaries will not release eggs into the fallopian tube.
- The menstrual cycle stops completely.
Menopause and Uterine Fibroids
Menopause significantly influences uterine fibroids as the hormonal changes in this transition impact their formation.
Estrogen and progesterone, hormones prevalent in premenopausal women, increase the risk of developing fibroids. With menopause, there is a decrease in these hormones, particularly estrogen, as the ovaries become less active. This hormonal shift during menopause contributes to changes in the behaviour and symptoms of uterine fibroids after menopause.
However, the belief that fibroids will shrink or disappear after menopause is not always accurate. While estrogen levels generally decline during perimenopause and menopause, the hormonal fluctuations during this time can still lead to fibroid growth.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT), often used to manage menopausal symptoms, may contribute to fibroid growth by introducing estrogen.
Can uterine fibroids develop after menopause?
While it’s less common, it is possible for women to develop fibroids after menopause. Postmenopausal fibroids are typically smaller in size and less symptomatic than fibroids that develop during the reproductive years. However, the exact cause of fibroid development after menopause isn’t fully understood.
Some theories suggest that factors such as hormonal fluctuations, genetic predisposition, or residual estrogen production in fat tissue may contribute to the development of fibroids after menopause. Additionally, women who undergo hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to manage menopausal symptoms may have a slightly higher risk of developing fibroids.
Although it is very rare that uterine fibroids can develop after menopause, though the reasons are unclear. If they occur, the symptoms are typically much less severe or absent than those experienced before menopause.
Symptoms of Fibroids After Menopause
While many women may experience relief from fibroid symptoms after menopause due to the decrease in estrogen levels, others may continue to experience symptoms or develop new ones. Common uterine fibroid symptoms after menopause include:
- Pelvic Pain: Some women may still experience pelvic pain or discomfort associated with existing fibroids.
- Bleeding Issues: some women may experience uterine fibroid bleeding after menopause, spotting or irregular bleeding.
- Pressure or Fullness: Fibroids can exert pressure on surrounding organs, leading to feelings of fullness or pressure in the pelvic region.
It’s essential for women experiencing any of these symptoms after menopause to consult with their healthcare provider for proper evaluation and management.
Treatment Options for Uterine Fibroids Post Menopause
If you’re experiencing symptoms of fibroids after menopause, several treatment options are available to help manage for uterine fibroids after menopause includes:
Natural shrinkage of fibroids
In most cases, fibroids naturally subside post-menopause and women find relief from the natural shrinkage of fibroids.
Hormone Therapy
Hormone therapy may be recommended to alleviate uterine fibroid symptoms by addressing hormonal imbalances. This involves the administration of hormones such as estrogen and progesterone to counteract factors contributing to fibroid growth.
Hysterectomy
In extreme cases of severe symptoms or concerns about cancer related to uterine fibroids, a hysterectomy may be recommended.
In a hysterectomy, the uterus is removed, which provides a definitive solution for addressing uterine fibroids.
Myomectomy
Myomectomy is a surgical procedure aimed at removing noncancerous uterine fibroids, common growths that can occur at any age but typically develop during childbearing years. Myomectomy selectively targets and removes only the fibroids, preserving the uterus.
This procedure is often chosen by women seeking to retain fertility or for other reasons. Various techniques, such as abdominal, laparoscopic, or hysteroscopic methods, may be employed based on the size and location of the fibroids.
Uterine Fibroid Embolization
Uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) is a minimally invasive procedure designed to alleviate symptoms caused by fibroids.
In this procedure, the blood supply to the fibroids is stopped.
Recovery is typically swift, allowing most women to resume normal activities shortly after the procedure.
Consult Dr. Pranjali for Uterine Fibroid Treatment in Dubai
Uterine fibroids can continue to be a concern for some women after menopause, although the severity of symptoms often decreases with the decline in estrogen levels. While fibroids may shrink or remain asymptomatic for many women, others may still experience symptoms or develop new fibroids after menopause.
If you’re experiencing symptoms of fibroids after menopause, it’s essential to seek medical evaluation and discuss treatment options. By understanding the relationship between uterine fibroids and menopause and exploring appropriate management strategies, you can take control of your health and improve your quality of life beyond menopause.
Dr. Pranjali Singh is a well-known Gynaecologic Laparoscopic Surgeon and fibroid specialist in Dubai who offers compassionate care and expertise. With this innovative and minimally invasive procedure, many women have found relief from fibroid-related symptoms, with Dr Pranjali’s fibroids treatment in Dubai, improving their overall quality of life.
Dr Pranjali takes a comprehensive approach to patient care. She thoroughly evaluates each patient’s medical history, symptoms, and diagnostic tests. Based on this evaluation, she plans laparoscopic removal of fibroids.
Dr. Pranjali believes in open communication, ensuring that her patients are well-informed and actively involved in their treatment decisions