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If you have symptoms such as heavy periods, painful periods or a feeling of fullness or discomfort in your pelvis, you may want to talk to your doctor to find out if you have fibroids.

Here are some questions that you might want to ask when you first see your doctor about your symptoms.

• Could fibroids be causing my symptoms?
• What else might be causing them?
• How can I find out if I have fibroids?

If you've been told that you have fibroids, you may want to talk to your doctor to find out more.

• How do you know that I have fibroids?
• How long will my symptoms last?
• Will my fibroids go away on their own?
• Will they get bigger?
• Will they make it hard for me to get pregnant?
• What are the best treatments for me?
• Do the treatments cause side effects or other problems?
• Will I need surgery?
• Will my fibroids grow back after treatment?
• Will I be able to have a baby after treatment?

If you don't have any symptoms but find out you have fibroids during pregnancy, you may want to ask these questions.

• How many fibroids do I have?
• How big are my fibroids?
• Where are they in my womb?
• Are my fibroids a problem?
• What kind of problems might I get? Could my fibroids cause bleeding or pain?
• What will happen to my fibroids during pregnancy?
• Will the fibroids harm my baby?
• Will fibroids make it hard for me to have a natural childbirth?
• Should I get treatment while I'm pregnant?
• What will happen after my baby is born?

This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment. ©BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2008. All rights reserved.