Robin, fibroids are apparently complicated things in their growth habits. Among the women in my family, probably due to our wonderful genetic heritage of endometriosis!, fibroids abound. Some women had to have hysterectomies because the fibroids grew quickly and caused such heavy bleeding these poor women were house-bound for a week a month. I am talking about cases where the women were normal at one holiday and by the 'same time, next year', they'd had the hysto! Other women in my family had fibroids diagnosed, but went normally about their lives until they reached menopause and the fibroids shrank. I myself have a fibroid that I was not even aware I had until it was seen in my surgery in 2004. It still has not grown or caused me any problems.
Thanks Mickey! I'm not sure how much bleeding mine is causing as I've had an ablation and now my cervix is almost completely scarred shut. I have noticed a lot more cramps than usual, a little blood for a few days every week or every other, just enough to make daily life annoying. They were unable to do an endometrial biopsy due to my closed cervix, so now it's just a big old guessing game. My mom had fibroids, too, and had a D&C before menopause came along and shrunk the little suckers. Guess menopause does have it's benefits! It sounds like your family has it's share of female troubles, but it comes in handy when passing the blame - ha! Menopause is probably another seven years away for me, so guess my planned hysterectomy will solve the problem! Thanks for the help. Robin