Uterine Diseases

The uterus, or womb, is an important female reproductive organ. It is the place where a baby grows when a woman is pregnant. If you have a uterine disease, the first sign may be bleeding between periods or after sex. Causes of abnormal bleeding include hormones, thyroid problems, fibroids, polyps, cancer, infection or pregnancy.

Treatment depends on the cause. Sometimes birth control pills treat hormonal imbalances. If a thyroid problem is the cause, treating it may also stop the bleeding. If you have cancer or hyperplasia, an overgrowth of normal cells in the uterus, you may need surgery.

Other uterine problems are endometriosis and adenomyosis. In endometriosis, the kind of tissue that lines the uterus grows outside the uterus. With adenomyosis, the tissue grows in the uterus's outer walls. Pain medicine may help; other treatments include hormones and surgery.

External Resources

Interactive Diagnostic Gynecologic Pathology - Short photographic quizzes about uterine and ovarian diseases are used to promote a software package for continued education.

Disease Profile of Uterine Fibroids - Scientifically referenced disease profile about the diagnosis, symptoms, causes and non surgical and surgical treatments of uterine fibroids. Impact of estrogens on fibroid growth.

National Uterine Fibroids Foundation - A nonprofit public benefit charitable organization dedicated to providing information on uterine fibroids and other women's health diseases of the reproductive system.

Valley Endovascular Associates - A team of physicians providing minimally-invasive treatments in the Hudson Valley region of New York for conditions such as uterine fibroids, varicose veins, vertebral fractures and vascular disease.

Smoking Is Ugly - Created Christy Turlington to raise awareness about the effects of smoking, smoking related diseases and lung cancer. "More women died of lung cancer in 2002 than of breast, uterine, and ovarian cancer combined" Facts and quitting info.

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