This article is part ofUterine Fibroids and Black Women, a destination in our Health Divide series.
Uterine fibroids are growths in the muscular walls of the uterus that anyone of childbearing age can experience.
But not everyone who experiences fibroids will develop symptoms or complicationsat least not right away.
Xiaoyu Liu / Verywell
As a result, diagnosis is sometimes delayed.
Fibroids are benign, which means they are not cancerous.
However, they can grow, leading to several potential problems over time.
When fibroid growth is gradual enough, people may normalize their symptoms, delaying diagnosis further.
Possible Fibroid Symptoms
In many people, uterine fibroids may not cause any problems.
Verywell Health: How do fibroids develop?
Dr. Shepherd:Fibroids are the result of growth in the smooth muscle tissue of the uterus.
Normally, the body has mechanisms to stop the overgrowth of cells into tumors.
The proliferation of these hormones can cause benign tumors to grow to the sizes that can lead to discomfort.
Fibroids tend to shrink after menopause due to a drop in levels of these hormones.
Dr. Shepherd:The slow growth of fibroids can play a role in why diagnosis is delayed.
Many women think their extremely heavy periods and bad cramps are normal.
In our culture, people dont talk about their periods.
It is just something you deal with.
There may be limited ability to send them for imaging.
Just getting to the doctor can be an issue.
Verywell Health: Is it possible for a healthcare provider to miss fibroids at a routine checkup?
Verywell Health: What are the risks of a delayed fibroid diagnosis?
Dr. Shepherd:For someone who is not having any problems, a delay in diagnosis is not serious.
But the most common symptom of fibroids is heavy bleeding.
Some women become seriously anemic and must take iron supplements or even have a transfusion.
Frequent urination can be an issue to, because the uterus has become enlarged and presses on the bladder.
Interview conducted byValerie DeBenedette, health writer.
2014;210(3):194-199. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2013.08.008
