1/9/2004 Research shows Fibroids Associated with Severe Pain During Sex

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NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - For the first time, researchers have

assessed the effect of uterine fibroids on gynecologic pain symptoms

in a population-based study. The results indicate that fibroids are

associated with severe pain during sexual intercourse and pelvic

pain, but not with painful menstruation...

Compared with women without fibroids, those with fibroids were 2.8-

and 2.6-times more likely to report moderate or severe pain during

intercourse and pelvic pain unrelated to their menstrual cycles,

respectively. In contrast, moderate or severe pain during

menstruation was not associated with the presence of fibroids.

The number and total volume of fibroids did not correlate with the

gynecologic pain that occurred, the researchers note.

The study findings raise questions about whether the current

knowledge regarding pain symptoms and fibroids, which has been

primarily derived from women who seek gynecologic care, can be

generalized to other populations, the authors conclude.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_15502.html