What is Fibroid of the Uterus?

Causes, Symptoms & Treatment Options

What is FIBROID of the UTERUS?

They are non-cancerous growth from muscles of Uterus that usually appear in women of childbearing age group ( mostly 30-40 years old), but they can affect people of any age. They are also known as Myomas.

Fibroids are slow growing, hence, you don’t need to worry much about these benign growth from uterus, and risk of cancer is very rare.
The size of a fibroid can range between seedlings (not visible to the naked eye) and bulky masses that can change the size of the uterus and can be felt as lump in abdomen.

Generally, people experience single fibroid or multiple ones.
In rare cases, multiple fibroids can expand and become large enough to occupy whole abdomen.

How common are Fibroid of the Uterus?

Sadly, fibroids are extremely common.

Around 30% of women by the age 35 ,develop Fibroid Uterus, and as many as 70%-80% of women will have them while attending age 50.

But they could be mostly small and asymptomatic and incidental finding during routine examination or scan.

African-American women are more likely to get them, and to develop them at a young age than other ethnic group.

Causes of Fibroid of the Uterus

The exact cause of uterine fibroids is unknown. However, according to researchers, these are the factors that are associated with development of uterine fibroids

Genetics

According to few research publications, genetics may play a role in the development of fibroids.

Hormones-

Estrogen and progesterone are two hormones, responsible for thickening the lining of the uterus every month during periods.

Comparing normal uterine muscles, fibroids contain more estrogen receptors. They appear to promote the growth of fibroids.
Furthermore, fibroids tend to shrink after menopause due to decrease estrogen hormone production.

Risk Factors associated with Fibroid of the Uterus

These are the factors that can contribute to the development of Fibroid Uterus.

Starting periods at a young age
Obesity
Alcohol
Age
Race - Africans
Excessive consumption of red meat

Symptoms of Fibroid of the Uterus

Many fibroids cause no symptoms at all, hence many women don’t experience any symptoms, even though carrying it.

Symptoms related to fibroids depends on location and size of fibroid.

Fibroid located towards the inner lining of uterus can cause more of menstrual abnormalities, and fibroids towards outer wall can cause more pressure effects.

Many women with fibroids develop unpleasant symptoms that adversely affect their quality of life. For example, they often affect your menstrual period.

Heavy bleeding during periods, so heavy that you have to be always aware of where the nearest bathroom is.
Menstrual cycles becoming progressively heavier over time.
Prolonged periods lasting for 7 or more days.
Excess bleeding cause soiling of your clothes, you need to wear super pads or multiple layers of protection.
Symptoms of anemia due to blood loss, including increased fatigue or dizziness.

Mass or bulk of the fibroids themselves can cause pressure symptoms-

Feelings of fullness or heaviness in the pelvic area; leg or lower back pain.
Increased urinary frequency, caused by fibroids pressing on the bladder.
Pressure effect in pelvis and bloating; enlargement of the abdomen; constipation.
Pain during act of sex.
Large or multiple fibroids can cause infertility, recurrent miscarriage, complications during pregnancy.

Diagnosis of Fibroid Uterus

Sometimes, Gynecologist can detect fibroid Uterus during a regular pelvic exam.

If doctor find some abnormalities in the uterus, then she will recommend tests such as:

Ultrasound- This device can be placed in lower abdomen or inside vagina to assess fibroid uterus or any other abnormalities by using Ultrasonic waves and taking pictures.
Blood Tests- Few routine blood tests required including CBC (complete blood count) to diagnose anemia associated with fibroid uterus or any other blood disorders.
MRI pelvis- MRI can be done after ultrasound imaging to know about uterine fibroids in more details. This Helps the Gynecologist to make decision about further treatment plan.

Treatment of Fibroid Uterus

You may or may not require treatment for Fibroid Uterus, it all depends on the size of fibroid and the associated symptoms.

The Treatment Options available are:

Medications- Tablets, Injections to relieve menstrual symptoms and pain
Non-invasive or Minimal Invasive Procedures- Hysteroscopic Myomectomies, IUCD insertion
Laparoscopic Myomectomy, Hysterectomy, etc.
Open Myomectomy

Are Fibroids of the Uterus Preventable?

You can’t prevent this condition.

However, research says, by changing lifestyle habits can reduce your chances of experiencing uterine fibroids.

Regular exercise, healthy green food, and pregnancy at right age can prevent uterine fibroids