VIP Fibroid Resource Center

Fibroids and Menopause: Do They Shrink or Get Worse?

For many, menopause is supposed to bring relief. If you are dealing with fibroids and menopause, it may not feel that simple. Maybe your cycle has started to change, or you are noticing shifts in your body that do not quite add up. Uterine fibroids can leave you questioning what is normal, what is not, and what you should expect next.

The way fibroids behave can change as your hormone levels begin to shift, especially as you move closer to or have reached menopause. Some fibroids may remain stable, others may respond to these changes, and some may continue to cause symptoms that affect your comfort and overall health.

Gaining clarity on how menopause impacts uterine fibroids can help you better understand what your body is doing, and what you can do about it.

Understanding Uterine Fibroids

Uterine fibroids are common noncancerous growths made of dense connective tissue and muscle cells that form within the muscular wall of the uterus. Many women develop fibroids at some point in their lives, and while some remain small and unnoticed, others can become more complex over time. Their behavior is closely tied to changes in hormone levels, which is why they often show up during certain stages of human development, especially during reproductive years and the transition into menopause.

Types of Uterine Fibroids

The main types of uterine fibroids are classified by where they grow within the uterus. 

• Intramural fibroids are the most common type, developing within the muscular wall of the uterus
• Submucosal fibroids grow just beneath the uterine lining and can extend into the uterine cavity
• Subserosal fibroids form along the outer surface of the uterus, sometimes growing outward into the pelvic space
• Pedunculated fibroids attach by a thin stalk, like a small branch extending from the uterus

Each type can vary in size and shape, and this variation plays a role in how fibroids grow and how they are typically managed.

Uterine Fibroid Symptoms

Uterine fibroids can affect your body in ways that feel subtle at first, then more noticeable over time. For many, these common symptoms display differently depending on where the fibroids are positioned and how they interact with the surrounding areas of the uterus. You may notice uncomfortable symptoms like:

• Heavy menstrual bleeding
• Irregular vaginal bleeding
• Irregular periods
• Pelvic pain
• Frequent urination
• Pressure in the pelvic area
• Bloating or fullness in the lower abdomen
• Painful sex
• Lower back discomfort

The risks of fibroid pain depend on their size, number, and location within the uterus. Large fibroids or symptomatic fibroids can place pressure on nearby organs, which may lead to more persistent or severe symptoms. In some cases, fibroids may also contribute to pregnancy complications or ongoing issues with bleeding.

What Happens to Fibroids During Menopause

Menopausal symptoms can show up in different ways. Many women experience hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness, along with changes in mood, sleep, and energy. You may also notice irregular periods before they stop completely, along with shifts in your skin, weight, or overall comfort. As you move into menopause, your body goes through a natural shift where hormone levels drop, especially estrogen and progesterone.

Because uterine fibroids depend on these hormones to grow, many women notice that fibroids shrink over time after they have reached menopause. This change in hormone activity often slows fibroid growth, and in some cases, leads to smaller, less active fibroids. For many women, this results in fewer fibroid symptoms, especially bleeding and cycle-related discomfort.

However, the experience is not the same for everyone. Some fibroids grow or continue to cause symptoms even after menopause, especially if other factors are involved. Menopause treatments like hormone replacement therapy can maintain higher hormone levels and support ongoing fibroid growth.

In addition, large fibroids or long-standing symptomatic fibroids may continue to press on surrounding organs, leading to uncomfortable symptoms. Understanding how your body responds during menopause is crucial in selecting the right approach to treat fibroids.

8 Treatment Options for Fibroids During Menopause

With changing hormone levels during menopause, the appropriate uterine fibroid treatment depends on how your body is responding to these changes, the size of your fibroids, and how much they are affecting your overall health. Some approaches focus on managing symptoms, while others directly target fibroids to shrink or remove them.

The goal is to find an approach that supports your body without adding unnecessary stress, especially as you navigate both menopause and fibroid symptoms simultaneously. There are eight options that can help treat uterine fibroids:

1. Uterine fibroid embolization (UFE): Also called uterine artery embolization (UAE), this minimally invasive procedure uses a substance injected via a catheter in your wrist to block the blood supply to fibroids, causing them to shrink over time as they lose oxygen and nutrients. It can treat large fibroids or multiple fibroids at once and helps reduce symptoms without removing the uterus. It offers a quick recovery time compared to major procedures.
2. Non-hormonal medications: Options such as nonsteroidal anti inflammatory drugs and tranexamic acid reduce bleeding and help manage fibroid pain. They can improve comfort but do not affect fibroid growth or removal.
3. Hormonal medications: Treatments like gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists, IUDs, or injections lower or regulate hormone levels, which can help shrink fibroids and reduce heavy bleeding. They are often used short-term to manage symptoms or prepare for other procedures.
4. Radiofrequency ablation: This treatment uses heat delivered through a thin probe to destroy fibroid tissue, helping to reduce size and improve symptoms. It preserves the uterus but may not treat all fibroids, especially large fibroids or multiple growths.
5. MRI-guided focused ultrasound: This procedure uses magnetic resonance imaging to guide focused ultrasound energy that heats and destroys fibroids. It is still considered investigational by many insurance companies.
6. Endometrial ablation: This procedure treats the lining of the uterus to reduce bleeding. It does not remove fibroids, so it may not fully resolve symptoms where fibroids are the leading issue.
7. Myomectomy: This fibroid surgery removes uterine fibroids while leaving the uterus in place. It can relieve symptoms, but fibroids may grow back in some cases if the underlying issue is not resolved.
8. Hysterectomy: This major surgery removes the entire uterus, which permanently eliminates fibroids and prevents them from returning. It involves longer recovery and is not reversible.

Navigating Fibroids and Menopause? Find the Right Path Forward with VIP Fibroid Center

As you move through menopause, it is easy to assume that fibroids will simply fade into the background. While many women do see changes as hormone levels drop, others may continue to deal with symptoms and require further treatment.

The key is understanding how your body is responding to fluctuating hormone levels and exploring your options if fibroids grow, stay the same, or develop new concerns. Whether you are experiencing ongoing fibroid symptoms, have been recently diagnosed, or are unsure if your changes are tied to menopause symptoms, getting the right guidance can make all the difference.

At VIP Fibroid Center, we focus on helping you understand what is happening with your uterine fibroids and how to move forward with confidence. With advanced, minimally invasive options like uterine fibroid embolization, experienced physicians, and a personalized approach, we help you manage symptoms and take control of your health with clear guidance.

Contact us today to schedule your consultation and take the next step toward effective relief and better health.