uterine fibroid/menopause

54 yrs. old. Last period Oct. 05. Spotted 4 days (period?) in July 06.  Have had 3 ultrasounds in the last year because of cysts that are now resolved. Ultrasound last week showed a new small fibroid that has never showed up before.

Fibroids have never been present before. Isn't it unusual that a new fibroid would grow at my age?  Could it be something else?  Should it be watched?  I seem to have increased bladder pressure. I am to come back for a repeat ultrasound for the fibroid in 6 months.  

I do know that it is a benign condition, but am concerned that it could be something else.

Thanks for your imput.

[Machelle Seibel, MD]

A. Fibroids are more common before menopause due to higher estrogen levels but they can arise after menopause.  It is possible that your uterus is now smaller and the small fibroid just showed up because it seems bigger in a smaller uterus.

But as long as the fibroid is small and it is watched every 6 months or at least each year once it is staying the same size, it should be nothing to worry about.  It is likely that over the next year or two it will stay the same or get smaller.

Of course it could be something besides a fibroid, but fibroids are common and fairly easy to tell on ultrasound.  So just as long as your doctor keeps a distant eye on things to look for change, things should be fine.
Machelle M. Seibel, MD

[sk2006a]

from your title, it sounds like you've been spotting after menopause.  even though it could be due to the fibroid, any postmenopausal spotting should be checked out.  the only thing i know about fibroids is that they are generally benign and that they generally shrink after menopause, but i don't khow how unusual it might be to develope one at your stage.  i would schedule a visit to the doctor just to check things out.