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Uterine fibroids are tumors in your uterus. Sounds scary? Take it easy, as uterine fibroids are usually completely harmless and benign. Unless uterine fibroids cause any symptoms, a woman usually discovers she has uterine fibroids accidentally at testing done for other reasons, such as pregnancy or fertility evaluation. Learn more about the common disease in women, uterine fibroids.
Uterine fibroids (uterine myomas) are abnormal growths of smooth muscle cells and other tissues in and around the wall of the uterus. Uterine fibroids may grow as a single tumour or in clusters of varying sizes and shapes. Uterine fibroids are very common in women of childbearing age, but the majority do not cause any symptoms and can remain undetected for a long time. Uterine fibroids are usually benign, which means they are not cancerous. The cause of uterine fibroids is unknown.
Uterine fibroids are categorized based on where they grow:
The exact cause of uterine fibroids is unknown, but they have been linked to the female hormone estrogen. Uterine fibroids usually develop during a woman's reproductive years (between the ages of 16 and 50), when estrogen levels are at their highest. They tend to shrink when estrogen levels are low, such as after menopause (when a woman’s period stops).
Factors that influence the formation and growth rate of uterine fibroids include:
Do not mix up uterine fibroids, cysts and polyps! Many women are unaware they have fibroids because they do not have any symptoms.
If you do have symptoms, they may include:
Changes in hormone levels may influence your symptoms. Thus, you may experience more symptoms at certain times of your menstrual cycle, during pregnancy, or menopause.
Uterine fibroids are usually harmless. However, they can cause heavy periods and anemic complications. Uncommonly, uterine fibroids can cause pregnancy problems or even infertility. The likelihood of complications depends on factors such as fibroid size and location.
Many women have concerns when it comes to uterine fibroids and pregnancy. Fortunately, most women with uterine fibroids will not experience any complications during pregnancy. Women with large uterine fibroids are more likely to experience complications, especially if the fibroids are larger than 5 centimeters in diameter.
A baby develops within the uterus, which is also where fibroids form. Uterine fibroids in pregnancy can sometimes affect the pregnancy outcome. Women with fibroids may experience abdominal pain during pregnancy. She may have a higher risk of preterm birth or cesarean section if large fibroids block the vagina or cervical opening (C-section: where the baby is delivered through a cut in the mother’s abdomen and uterus). After giving birth, the mother has a higher chance of having heavy bleeding (postpartum bleeding) and blood transfusions.
Consult your doctor if you have uterine fibroids and are trying to conceive or are pregnant.
Uterine fibroids rarely affect a woman’s ability to become pregnant. Although if you have uterine fibroids and are struggling to get pregnant, it is good to discuss it with your doctor.
If you have a submucosal fibroid, it may block a fallopian tube, making it more difficult for an egg to reach the uterus from the ovaries (where the egg is released). It can also block the whole uterus lining allowing no space for the egg to attach itself to the uterus. It is usually recommended to have a submucosal fibroid removed prior to conceiving.
Your doctor or gynecologist (a specialist doctor in the female reproductive system) may find uterine fibroids during a gynecological exam. During this exam, the doctor checks the size of your uterus by inserting two fingers of one hand into the vagina while lightly pressing on your abdomen with the other hand. If you have fibroids, your uterus may feel larger than normal, or feel irregularly shaped, or your doctor can feel a firm mass in the abdomen.
If you have symptoms, but your doctor cannot feel any uterine fibroids manually, he or she may use non-invasive imaging technology to diagnose uterine fibroids. It may be:
Your doctor might also need invasive procedures to examine or remove your uterine fibroids.
If the fibroid isn't causing any symptoms and isn't too large, your doctor will probably leave it alone without any invasive procedures.
Treatment is not necessary if you have no symptoms. Uterine fibroids often shrink and disappear without treatment after menopause. However, treatment may be required if the uterine fibroids are large or are causing complications or symptoms.
Progestogens, Levonorgestrel, Tranexamic acid, or Leuprorelin or Triptorelin are medicines that reduce heavy periods and/or shrink uterine fibroids. They are more effective for small fibroids. Your doctor will prescribe medications based on your age, overall health and whether or not you intend to become pregnant.
Uterine fibroids that cause severe symptoms or are very large may require removal.
Lifestyle and dietary changes can be a safe and effective way to reduce or stop uterine fibroid growth. Prevent hormonal imbalance (a major contributor to uterine fibroid) by managing stress and using home remedies like yoga, meditation, acupuncture and massage. If you are overweight or obese and have uterine fibroids, consider losing weight through exercise and a healthy diet.
Uterine fibroids cannot be prevented, but there are many simple ways to reduce your risk of developing uterine fibroids.
A myomectomy is a major surgical procedure to remove uterine fibroids without removing healthy uterine tissue, which enables future pregnancy. It involves an incision in the lower abdomen. HIFU allows for the removal of fibroids with no uterine or abdominal incisions.
You do not need to treat uterine fibroid if you have no symptoms or only have minor symptoms. Uterine fibroids will shrink after menopause. If the uterine fibroids are large or are causing complications, you may need medications or surgery to shrink or remove the uterine fibroids.
Uterine fibroids rarely, but can, affect a woman’s ability to become pregnant. If you have uterine fibroids and are struggling to get pregnant, it is good to discuss this with your doctor.
Most women with uterine fibroids will not experience any complications during pregnancy. In some cases, a uterine fibroid can cause abdominal pain during pregnancy, premature labor, or affect a baby’s position in the uterus (in which case a cesarean section may be needed to deliver the baby). Uterine fibroid can also increase bleeding after giving birth.
This article was independently written by Healthy Matters and is not sponsored. It is informative only and not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be relied upon for specific medical advice.
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