Uterine leiomyomata (fibroids): are bleeding symptoms more likely to be reported after diagnosis?

Abstract

In the United States, uterine fibroids (leiomyomata) are the leading cause of hysterectomy, which is the most commonly performed nonpregnancy-related surgery for women [1–3]. Presumably, because these growths are benign, it is not merely the presence of fibroids that leads to surgery, but rather the symptoms caused by fibroids that are indications for surgery. Symptoms play a major role in whether a woman seeks treatment and in what diagnostic tests and treatments are performed. Biologic measurements to evaluate symptom reporting often are not possible. Actual blood loss is rarely measured when a woman consults her physician for heavy bleeding. Because of the important role symptom reporting plays in diagnosis and treatment, it is important to know whether a diagnosis actually affects subsequent symptom reporting.