Normally, your doctor finds fibroids during a routine physical examination. It's also possible for a woman to notice new symptoms that indicate fibroids and inform her doctor about them. There are several tests that can be done to confirm a diagnosis:
Ultrasound—A painless exam that uses sound waves to obtain a picture of the uterus. A doctor or technician moves the ultrasound device over the abdomen or places it inside the vagina to obtain images of the uterus and fibroids.
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)—An MRI gives the doctors a reproducible, detailed picture of how many fibroids there are, how big they are and exactly where they are located. All patients who are being evaluated for a uterine artery embolization (procudure that blocks blood flow to fibroids causing them to shrink) to will get an MRI.
Hysterosonography—This diagnostic technique uses an ultrasound probe to obtain images of the uterine cavity while instilling fluid into the cavity.
Hysterosalpingography—This technique uses a dye to highlight the uterine cavity and fallopian tubes on X-ray images.
Hysteroscopy—Your doctor inserts a small, lighted telescope called a hysteroscope through the cervix into the uterus. The tube releases a gas or liquid to expand your uterus, allowing your doctor to examine the walls of the uterus and the openings of the fallopian tubes.