Uterine fibroids, or hard tissue masses in the uterus, affect from 20 to 40% of women 35 and older, and as many as 50% of African American women (Laval, 2002). Newer imaging techniques suggest that the prevalence of uterine fibroids may be as high as 77% (Stewart, 2001). Symptoms include pelvic pain and pressure, heavy cramping, prolonged or heavy bleeding, constipation, abdominal tenderness or bloating, infertility, recurrent pregnancy loss, frequent urination, and painful sexual intercourse.
Of all of these symptoms, excessive menstrual bleeding is the most common complaint. Some fibroids can become very large (up to the size of a basketball) and can make a woman look as though she is in her sixth month of pregnancy. Treatment for uterine
cryotherapy
The application of extreme cold to destroy diseased tissue, including cancer cells.
fibroids is hormone or drug therapy, laser therapy, surgery, or cryotherapy (Stewart, 2001). It is important to point out that the majority of uterine fibroids are not cancerous and do not cause any problems.