Understanding About Uterine Fibroids

Fibroids are abnormal growths in or on the uterus of women. These tumours can grow to be quite large, causing severe stomach pain and heavy periods. In some circumstances, they produce no symptoms at all. The growths are usually noncancerous or benign. Fibroids have no recognized cause.

 Fibroids range in size from tiny seedlings that are undetectable to enormous masses that deform and expand the uterus. A single fibroid or a group of them can be present. Multiple fibroids can cause the uterus to enlarge to the point where it reaches the rib cage, causing weight gain.

Fibroids are also known by the following means:

Fibroids are muscular tumours that develop in the uterine wall (womb). Almost all fibroids are harmless (not cancerous). Fibroids do not affect all women in the same way.

Types of Uterine Fibroids

Treatment suggestions are influenced by the type of fibroids as well as their size and number. Fibroids are divided into three categories:

Subserosal Fibroids

Fibroids of this type are the most frequent. They can push through the uterus and into the pelvis. Subserosal fibroids can become large and have a stalk that attaches to the uterus at times (pedunculated fibroid).

Intramural Fibroids

The fibroids develop in the muscular wall of the uterus

Submucosal Fibroids

Fibroids are very uncommon. They grow in the open space inside the uterus and may also include a stalk.

Causes of Uterine  Fibroids

It's still a mystery what creates fibroids. A person's estrogen levels could influence their growth. Estrogen and progesterone levels are higher during a woman's reproductive years.

Fibroids enlarge when estrogen levels are high, especially during pregnancy. Fibroid shrinking has been linked to low estrogen levels. This can happen before, during, or after menopause.

It can also happen if you're using gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), agonists, or antagonists, for example. Genetic factors may also influence fibroid development. Having a close relative with fibroids, for example, is linked to an increased risk of developing them. There is some evidence that shows red meat, alcohol, and caffeine are associated with a higher risk of Fibroids.

What are the Symptoms of Fibroids?

Many women with fibroids have no symptoms at all. The location, size, and number of fibroids can affect symptoms in persons who have them. The following are the most prevalent indications and symptoms of uterine fibroids in women who have them:

When a fibroid outgrows its blood supply and begins to die, it can cause severe pain. The location of fibroids is used to classify them. Intramural fibroids develop within the uterine muscle wall. Fibroids in the submucosa protrude into the uterine cavity. Subserosal fibroids protrude from the uterus's surface.

Uterine Fibroids Diagnose

The diagnostic tests listed below can assist a clinician in detecting fibroids and ruling out other conditions.

They may swab your throat if you have a sore throat to check for bacteria that cause strep throat. If the test results are negative, you are most likely infected with a virus. They can also collect a sample of your blood or other bodily fluid to look for indicators that indicate a viral infection, such as your white blood cell count. 

To identify the virus, the doctor may ask a person to go through blood, sputum and urine. The sample collected helps the doctor diagnose various diseases such as dengue, malaria, chikungunya, and typhoid.

Ultrasound Scans

By scanning the abdomen or putting a small ultrasound probe into the vagina, a doctor can create ultrasound images. Both methods may be required to detect fibroids.

MRI Scans

It will determine the size and number of fibroids

Hysteroscopy

A doctor will use a small gadget with a camera attached to the end of it to inspect the inside of the uterus during a hysteroscopy. The gadget will be inserted through the vaginal canal and into the uterus through the cervix. They may also extract a tissue sample, known as a biopsy, to check for cancer cells if necessary.

Laparoscopy

A laparoscopy may also be performed by a doctor. They will use a short, illuminated tube to inspect the outside of the uterus and its surrounding structures through a small incision in the abdomen. They may also do a biopsy if necessary.

Uterine Fibroids Treatments

If the woman has no symptoms and the fibroids are not interfering with her daily life, she may not need treatment. Because high estrogen levels cause fibroids to develop faster, gynaecologists may prescribe drugs to reduce estrogen production without affecting fertility. The patient may need surgery depending on the symptoms and size of the fibroids. The following are the surgical techniques for treating fibroids:

Hysterectomy

The uterus is removed during a hysterectomy operation. It is mostly recommended for women who have big fibroids. Ovaries and the uterus are sometimes removed together.

Myomectomy

Myomectomy is a surgical technique that removes uterine fibroids. This technique is highly recommended for women who want to conceive.

Laparoscopy

Laparoscopy is recommended for women who have fibroids that are tiny in size and few in number. This operation is typically used to remove one or two fibroids that have grown outside the uterus.

What are the Complications of Fibroids?

Fibroids can cause heavy periods, anemia, lower abdominal swelling, discomfort, constipation, and urinary tract infections. They may also lead to difficulty conceiving and pose risks during pregnancy. It is unclear whether fibroids decrease the chances of becoming pregnant, regardless of fertility therapy.

Frequently Asked Questions