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Uterine Fibroids: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Nowadays, infertility is a common problem among young couples. Factors such as altered lifestyles, food habits, and work-related stress contribute to this issue. Symptomatic uterine fibroids are frequently noted in young females in their 20s.
The number of couples experiencing infertility problems has increased over the years, with both male and female factors playing a role. In women, several factors significantly affect the ability to conceive.
Uterine fibroids, even in younger age groups, are a prevalent issue. These noncancerous (benign) growths of the uterus can potentially cause infertility by blocking the fallopian tubes or preventing a fertilized egg from implanting in the uterus. Additionally, large fibroids may prevent a fetus from fully developing, increasing the risk of placental abruption, premature birth, or miscarriage.
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Get A Second OpinionTypes of Uterine Fibroids
- Subserosal fibroids
- Intramural fibroids
- Submucosal fibroids
- Pedunculated fibroids
Possible Causes and Risk Factors
Although the exact cause of uterine fibroids is unknown, clinical studies suggest the following factors may contribute to their development:
- Hormones: Estrogen appears to promote the growth of uterine fibroids.
- Heredity: Uterine fibroids seem to run in families.
- Obesity: Obese women have two to three times greater risk due to higher estrogen levels.
- Unhealthy food habits and lifestyle
Symptoms of Uterine Fibroids
Some women may not have any symptoms. For those who do, the symptoms can be influenced by the location, size, and number of fibroids. Common signs and symptoms include:
- Heavy and prolonged menstrual bleeding
- Irregular bleeding between menstrual periods
- Frequent and incomplete urination
- Constipation
- Back pain, lower abdominal pain, and leg pain
- Bloating/distended abdomen
- Infertility
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Book an AppointmentComplications Associated with Uterine Fibroids
If uterine fibroids continue to grow, they can cause various complications, including impaired fertility, severe pelvic pain, and heavy bleeding leading to anemia. Untreated fibroids in pregnant women might lead to:
- Miscarriage
- Preterm delivery
- Fetal malpresentation (wrong fetal body position)
- Heavy bleeding after giving birth (postpartum hemorrhage)
Diagnosis of Uterine Fibroids
To diagnose uterine fibroids, the following tests may be used:
- Abdominal Ultrasound
- Vaginal Ultrasound
- Hysteroscopy
In some cases, additional imaging tools, such as MRI, may be required.
Treatment Options for Uterine Fibroids
The treatment method is determined by location, size, presenting symptoms, and individual conditions. Options include:
- Medications for treating symptoms (do not eliminate fibroids)
- Surgeries to remove fibroids, either hysterectomy or myomectomy (an open surgery/laparoscopy)
- Uterine fibroid embolization: A non-surgical, daycare angiography method with no surgical cutting, suturing, opening, or anesthesia. It results in no blood loss, infections, or complications, and allows for faster recovery and shorter hospital stays.
Patients are admitted on the day of the procedure, and may leave by the end of the day or the next day. Symptoms will get relieved within a few days to weeks, but the fibroid size may take a few weeks to 2-3 months to significantly reduce.
Frequently Asked Questions
An IV cannula tube is placed in the groin, and a tube is selectively passed into the uterus via blood vessels. Some particle-like medications are injected into the fibroid selectively, cutting off the blood supply to the fibroid and causing it to shrink over time.
Patients can plan for a family with a minimum period of 6 months post-procedure.
Fibroids number and size do not matter in this treatment method; any number and size can be treated in one sitting.
It is not at all a surgical procedure. It is just a simple angiography procedure with an IV cannula line in the groin or hand where the patient is awake with no pain and can see what's happening on the monitor throughout the procedure.
Hysterectomy is not recommended as it is not worth removing the complete uterus when the fibroid is just a benign growth. The uterus has other vital hormonal functions in the body such as to maintain hormonal balance and keep the pregnancy option open, at least during the childbearing age. In case of myomectomy a surgical/minimal surgical procedure is performed.
Mild pain, vomiting, and fever-like symptoms may be experienced for a day or two, depending on the size of fibroids. However, these can be managed with symptomatic care.
There may be a menstrual cycle disturbance for a month or two, which gets normalized gradually.
They are present in almost 1 in every 3 women, whether symptomatic or non-symptomatic. But in symptomatic women, it needs to be attended and treated to prevent anemia, pregnancy complications, and infertility.
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