Can You Have Multiple Uterine Fibroids At The Same Time

Uterine fibroids are a common health issue faced by millions of women. These non-cancerous tumors range in size from tiny seeds to grapefruit-sized masses, and many women develop more than one fibroid at a time. Having multiple fibroids grow simultaneously can cause symptoms to be more severe than usual.

Although not all women recognize fibroid symptoms, they can significantly impact women’s health, sometimes resulting in pain, heavy menstrual bleeding, and fertility issues, among other possible symptoms. 

If you think or have been diagnosed with multiple uterine fibroids or even just a single fibroid, contact one of our fibroid specialists to schedule a consultation and get a diagnosis.

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What Are Uterine Fibroids?

Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous tumors made of smooth muscle tissue that grow in and on the uterus. They are a common condition affecting a significant number of women in the U.S., with prevalence rates varying by race and ethnicity. While up to 70% of white women may experience uterine fibroids, the condition is disproportionately prevalent among Black women, with rates as high as 80%.¹ The definitive cause of fibroids is unknown, although research indicates that genetic, hormonal, and other factors may play a role. 

With multiple uterine fibroids, the symptoms are likely to be more severe, depending on size, location, or if they are pressing on any surrounding organs. 

These symptoms often include:

If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms and are worried that fibroids are the cause, our fibroid symptom checker can help you determine whether you should consult a fibroid specialist.

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Having Multiple Fibroids 

Having Multiple Fibroids
Click the image to learn about treatment for multiple fibroids.

Multiple fibroids can develop in the uterus and vary significantly in size and location. Based on where and how they grow, fibroids are categorized into four main types:

  • Submucosal: Fibroids growing inside the uterine lining.
  • Intramural: Fibroids that develop within the uterine muscle wall. 
  • Subserosal: Fibroids that grow on the outer wall of the uterus.
  • Pedunculated: Fibroids that grow in a stalk-like shape can be a submucosal or subserosal fibroid, depending on the location. 

Knowing your fibroid type is essential for determining the best treatment, managing symptoms, and understanding potential risks. 

A fibroid specialist can use specific, noninvasive diagnostic tests to determine which type of fibroid is present. By accurately identifying the type of fibroid, the specialist can tailor the treatment plan to your specific needs and minimize potential complications.

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Can You Have Different Types of Fibroids at Once?

Having more than one fibroid in the uterus is common, and these multiple fibroids can be different types. Having different types of fibroids at the same time can often lead to more severe symptoms, increasing discomfort, and potential health complications.

How Are Multiple Fibroids Detected?

How Are Multiple Fibroids Detected

A routine pelvic exam can diagnose fibroids, but your doctor may recommend an ultrasound to verify the diagnosis. The ultrasound can also show where the fibroids are located and their size.

Fibroid mapping involves diagnostic methods, such as ultrasounds and MRI scans, which provide visual imaging inside the uterus. This process allows the doctor to detect fibroids and determine whether single or multiple fibroids are present.

Ultrasound imaging, either transabdominal or transvaginal, provides real-time visualization of the uterus. The images help to identify the size, location, and number of fibroids. 

In some cases, obtaining detailed images may be recommended using hysterosonography or hysteroscopy. These imaging methods enhance visualization of the uterine cavity and help differentiate between a single fibroid and multiple fibroids. 

Can Multiple Fibroids Affect Fertility?

Multiple fibroids can significantly impact fertility. While a single fibroid can interfere with conception by blocking the fallopian tubes, distorting the uterine cavity, or impeding embryo implantation, the presence of multiple fibroids can exacerbate these issues.

Large fibroids and those located in specific areas of the uterus, such as the submucosal region, are particularly likely to affect fertility. These fibroids can create physical barriers that prevent sperm from reaching the egg or hinder the implantation of a fertilized egg.

For women seeking to preserve fertility, minimally invasive procedures like uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) offer a promising option. UFE blocks the blood supply to the fibroids, causing them to shrink and eventually disappear. This procedure can help improve fertility prospects without the need for more invasive surgical interventions.

Treatments for Multiple Fibroids

The best option for treating multiple uterine fibroids depends on factors like the fibroids’ size and number, as well as the patient’s symptom severity, age, health, and desire for future pregnancies. These treatments include medication, surgical, and non-surgical options. 

Medication

Medication is often the first approach to treating multiple uterine fibroids, with pain relievers like ibuprofen for managing pelvic pain and cramps. Hormone therapies, such as birth control or GnRH agonists, can also regulate hormones to reduce heavy bleeding and temporarily shrink fibroids. While medication is non-invasive and can temporarily relieve symptoms, they often return once treatment ends.

Surgical Treatment

For a more definitive treatment, surgical options are available for treating multiple uterine fibroids. These surgical options include myomectomy and hysterectomy.

A myomectomy is a procedure that surgically removes fibroids while preserving the uterus. This surgery requires a substantial recovery time, and there’s a possibility that fibroids may return. 

A hysterectomy is the complete removal of the uterus, providing a permanent solution that prevents fibroid recurrence. However, it is a major surgery with a longer recovery time and is not ideal for women wanting children. 

Non-Surgical Treatment

Non-surgical procedures like uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) offer another treatment option for multiple fibroids. This procedure blocks the fibroids’ blood supply, causing them to shrink. 

UFE is minimally invasive, has a shorter recovery time than surgery, and effectively reduces fibroid size and symptoms. During a consultation, the fibroid specialist will determine the most suitable approach for treating multiple fibroids if they are present.

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Find Fibroid Relief with UFE at USA Fibroid Centers

Find Fibroid Relief with UFE at USA Fibroid Centers

At USA Fibroid Centers, our expert interventional radiologists use UFE to help patients find relief from multiple uterine fibroids. Call us at 855.615.2555 or schedule an appointment online today for a consultation.

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FAQS

How Many Fibroids Can I Have at One Time?

A person can have multiple uterine fibroids, but the exact number can only be determined with fibroid mapping, as it varies from case to case. Multiple fibroids may grow in different locations on the uterus simultaneously.

What causes Multiple Fibroids?

What causes fibroids is unknown, but research suggests that genetic, hormonal, and other factors may contribute to their development. Due to the uncertainty around what triggers fibroid growth, it’s challenging to pinpoint why multiple fibroids may form.

Are Multiple Fibroids Dangerous?

Large or numerous fibroids can distort the uterus, leading to a protruding abdomen, heavy menstrual bleeding, pelvic pressure, and painful intercourse. 

While having multiple fibroids isn’t inherently dangerous, they can cause severe symptoms and complications that may require medical attention.

Can Multiple Fibroids Affect Pregnancy?

During pregnancy, fibroids can become dangerous as they grow with increased estrogen levels, potentially taking up space and blood supply needed for a growing fetus. They may also affect fertility by obstructing conception, making them a concern for those looking to conceive. 

What is the Treatment for Multiple Fibroids?

The type of fibroid treatment needed depends on the fibroids’ number, size, and location. In severe cases, treatment for multiple fibroids may require surgery, either myomectomy or hysterectomy. However, in many cases, minimally invasive treatment through uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) is sufficient to relieve fibroid symptoms.

UFE shrinks fibroids by blocking their access to the uterine blood supply. Since this is an outpatient procedure rather than surgery, patients can usually go home the same day and recover within about two weeks. 

Can one UFE session address multiple fibroids or one UFE treatment per fibroid?

UFE targets all fibroids present, regardless of size or location, making it an efficient treatment option for women with multiple fibroids. A single UFE session can effectively address multiple fibroids or different types simultaneously. 

While fibroid recurrence after UFE is possible, it is not very common, and most women experience significant symptom relief following the procedure. If you think you may have fibroids or are experiencing related symptoms, seeking medical advice is advisable for proper diagnosis and treatment.

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Sources

  1. Erica E Marsh et al., “Burden, prevalence, and treatment of uterine fibroids: A survey of U.S. women,” Journal of Women’s Health, https://doi.org/10.1089/jwh.2018.7076