Do small fibroids cause pain and should they be removed?

[Verbena]

Hello, I have had pain in my abdomen and back for 4 months, the last few the pain has gotten worse. I'm also very bloated, to the point of gaining 10 lbs in 2 months all in my stomach, and I wasn't overeating. I also have to urinate frequently. I've told my dr. all of this. I suspected an ovarian cyst because I've had them before but a sonogram showed a 2.5cm fibroid a month ago. Could it grow in a month to cause more pain? Is it too small to cause these symptoms? Of course I worry about cancer also because of the symptoms. My paternal grandmother died of ovarian cancer and my aunt on the same side had breast cancer.

My doctor is doing a laparoscopy to see if there is anything else going on but he thinks the fibroid is not causing my pain. This isn't until next month and it's driving me crazy wondering. I think the fibroid could be the culprit...my ovaries hurt very badly when I ovulate and the back pain does not let up. He also mentioned gastrointestinal problems but I really think it's the fibroid or ovaries because it's a crampy pain, much like during my period. It definitely feels like something hormonal, would a fibroid cause bloating?

Any thoughts would be appreciated! Thank you so much.

[Annekathryn Goodman, M.D.]

Hi There,
It sounds like you are having alot of distress. It sounds like your doctor is listening to you and taking good care of you. I do agree with him. I do not think a 2.5 cm fibroid (that is about one inch) is causing your symptoms. It may be that you have endometriosis or irritable bowel syndrome. Laparoscopy should be very helpful in seeing if this is a gyn problem. Please let us know what is found at laparoscopy.

best wishes to you

[Verbena]

I forgot to add that I've had 2 C sections and a tubal ligation....my dr. said I could have some scar tissue.

I guess my main question is can the fibroid be in a place too difficult for him to see so he may leave it alone or should I ask him to just take it out? Are there risks to taking it out? If it is small can it be causing my pain? I asked him so many questions but forgot to ask if he was definitely taking it out. He is very curious to see what is going on and with this pain I think there is something. I have had terrible ovulation pain also these past few months.

I appreiciate you taking the time to answer.

[Verbena]

Thank you so very much for answering. He is a sweetheart and I keep telling myself that he knows what he's doing. It makes me happy to hear that you agree with him. I thought since he was going to do the laparoscopy and be in there that he could just take the fibroid out but maybe it's best to leave it alone.

Thank you so so much, it seems to help hearing the same thing from another doctor.

[dalip]

sorry to jump in on your thread verbena but dr goodman was very helpful to me and i wanted to let her know what was happening without using a rare question up.  

DR GOODMAN.Had second scan,8 days later op to remove both ovaries. Op took 2 surgeons over 3 hours as ovary was so tangled up in bowel and stuck to bowel, bladder ect.Saw consutant after surgery who said scan showed he had to remove left ovary asap.Still not sure why as adhesions do not show on v/u/s?. No mention has been as to whether or not they suspect any cancer was present.Only toold cyst was not going anywhere as it too was glued to things. must now wait for 6wk post op app.Am enjoying relative pain free time. Would like to thank you again for your help. Hope this update was of interest to you.Best Wishes Dawn

[akg]

Hi Dawn,
Thank you so much for the update. You did the right thing. I hope you have a gentle post operative time.

[wonder1962]

A related discussion, can an mirena iud be used to treat heavy bleeding from a fibroid? was started.