Uterine Fibroids

Uterine fibroids are tumors that grow in the wall of the uterus (or womb). They’re usually noncancerous. Many women have uterine fibroids at some point. Some may have pain and heavy menstrual bleeding. Others may have no symptoms and not even know they have uterine fibroids.

If you have been diagnosed with uterine fibroids by your provider, you may wish to discuss your options for care—such as medication and/or procedures—with your provider. You may use these decision aids (combining clinical options from the Option Grid™ patient decision aids with FAIR Health cost data) to discuss some of your options with your clinician.

For more information about uterine fibroids, check out the following resources:

  • Healthy Women is a nonprofit whose mission is to educate women to make informed health choices through fact-based, expert-sourced content and creative evidence-based programming. The website offers resources related to managing uterine fibroids.
  • This blog from Johns Hopkins Medicine also has more information surrounding the symptoms of fibroids, treatment, diagnosis and more. The mission of Johns Hopkins Medicine is to improve the health of the community and the world by setting the standard of excellence in medical education, research and clinical care.
  • This Mayo Clinic article on uterine fibroids has information about the symptoms and treatment of fibroids. The Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization, which provides information and tools for a healthy lifestyle.
  • The New York State Department of Health has a page on uterine fibroids, which details what happens with fibroids during pregnancy, as well as current and developing treatments for fibroids.
  • The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has a list with find-a-provider resources. The NIH is part of the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) that is the nation’s medical research agency, making important discoveries that improve health and save lives.
  • MedLine Plus provides information about treatments and therapies for fibroids. MedlinePlus is a service of the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the world's largest medical library, which is part of the NIH. MedLine Plus’s mission is to present high-quality, relevant health and wellness information that is trusted, easy to understand and free of advertising.

Shared Decision-Making Checklist for Patients and Caregivers

We often rely on our healthcare providers to tell us what care we need. But to get the best care, you and your provider make decisions together. This process is called “shared decision making.” Your provider shares medical expertise, and you share what you want out of your care. Then you make a decision together. Shared decision making can be especially useful to help manage uterine fibroids and understand your treatment options. It may also open up a channel for communication and trust between you and your provider.

If your healthcare team has not spoken about shared decision making, you can still engage in the process.

Refer to this checklist to start the shared decision-making conversation. Download, print and bring this with you to appointments.

Before Your Appointment/Discussion: Think about What Matters to You and Write it Down

  • What would you like to ask and know about uterine fibroids and treatment options?
  • What matters most to you in life? What are your goals for treatment—for example, to manage symptoms or to be able to do things you are currently unable to do? Think about your goals for treatment, what matters to you. A clinician (e.g., nurse or primary care provider) may also be able to help you discuss your goals and wishes.
  • Is cost an important part of your decision?
  • Refer to recommended resources.

During Your Appointment/Discussion: Ask Questions; Express Your Goals and What Matters to You

Take notes that you can refer to later and/or ask a family member or caregiver to join/attend and take notes.

  • I would like to make this decision together with you based on my goals and what matters most to me and on your expertise.
    What I would like most from life is…
    What matters most to me is…
    What I am most afraid of is…
    Are there decision tools we can use to make this decision together? How can I learn more about my condition and my options?
  • What are my options for treatment?
  • What are the benefits of the options?
  • What are the risks to me if I choose this option?
  • What if I don’t want to do anything?
  • What are the costs associated with each of the options? Whom can I speak with to learn more about the treatments and how I can pay for them?
  • For my specific goals and condition, what would be my best options?
  • For specific treatment options, do I have to adhere to certain rules or procedures?
  • I don’t understand. Can you explain this to me a different way?
  • Can I contact you with questions?
  • Can you give this information to me in writing?
  • What are the next steps?

After Your Appointment

  • Keep the notes in a handy place so that you can refer to them later.
  • If you are unclear on next steps, ask!
  • If you need more time to make a decision, let your healthcare team (and caregiver if applicable) know.