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Other conditions with symptoms similar to uterine fibroids
Many health problems can cause symptoms that are the same as or similar to those of uterine fibroids. Health problems with similar symptoms need to be ruled out before fibroids are diagnosed.
Conditions that can cause changes in menstrual periods include:1
- An abnormal growth outside of the uterus (adnexal mass).
- Adenomyosis, the growth of the uterine lining into the uterine muscle, which can cause pain and bleeding.
- An abnormally shaped uterus (uterine anomaly).
- Endometrial hyperplasia, precancerous cell changes in the uterine lining.
- Endometrial polyps.
- Endometrial cancer.
- Endometriosis.
- Fluctuating hormone levels.
- Ovarian cysts.
Conditions that can cause female pelvic pain include:1
- Endometriosis and adenomyosis.
- Ovarian cysts.
- A mass outside of the uterus (adnexal mass).
- Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
- Scar tissue in the pelvis (adhesions).
- Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
- A tubal-ovarian abscess.
- Physical or sexual abuse.
- Urinary tract problems.
- Bowel problems.
Cancers of the female reproductive organs that can cause pain or bleeding include:1
- Cancer of the lining of the uterus (endometrial cancer).
- Cancer of an ovary (ovarian cancer).
- Cancer of the cervix or opening of the uterus (cervical cancer).
- Cancer of the muscle wall of the uterus (leiomyosarcoma).
These forms of cancer may cause symptoms similar to those caused by noncancerous conditions, such as uterine fibroids or endometriosis.
| By: | Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: August 11, 2009 |
| Medical Review: | Sarah Anne Marshall, MD - Family Medicine Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology | |
© 1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
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