Symptoms and Treatment of Fibroids

Fibroids also known as uterine fibroids or myomas are common growths in and outside the uterus that appear most often during childbearing and menopausal years. These growths vary in size from as small as a seed to the size of a grapefruit and beyond. Typically, fibroids are noncancerous and many times do not present symptoms or require treatment. However, on rare occasions, fibroids cause severe pelvic pain and will need immediate treatment.

When there are no symptoms present or discomfort experienced, fibroids can go undetected, often times being diagnosed during routine pelvic examinations. Ultrasounds or other imaging tests may also be used to diagnose fibroids.

Causes of Fibroids

There is not a definitive cause of fibroids however; researchers believe several contributing factors play a part in their development. Those factors are:

* Family history – predisposition to forming fibroids because of genetics

* Hormones – fibroid growth and shrinkage respond to the hormone levels of estrogen and progesterone.

* Obesity – women, who are overweight, are at a higher risk of developing fibroids by as much as three times greater than that of women who maintain a healthy weight.

* Ethnicity – African American women are at a higher risk for fibroids and tend to develop them at younger ages

* Age – risks are higher during childbearing years and through menopause. After a woman goes through menopause, the fibroids typically shrink in size.

How Do Fibroids Effect Pregnancy?

Fibroids affect each woman differently and while some have normal pregnancies, others may experience complications during pregnancy and delivery. Some common problems arising in pregnant women who have fibroids are:

* Preterm Delivery

* Stalled Labor

* Breech birth

* Cesarean section – odds of needing a c-section are six times greater with fibroids

* Abruption – placental separation from the uterus wall, resulting in the baby not getting enough oxygen

What are the Symptoms of Fibroids?

Symptoms associated with fibroids vary from woman to woman depending on their age, the size of the fibroid(s), and their location, fibroids growing in or outside of the uterus.  Submucosal fibroids grow within the inner cavity of the uterus while subserosal fibroids grow outside the uterus. Some of the symptoms you may experience with fibroids include:

* Pain during sex

* Painful periods and/or heavy bleeding

* Anemia

* Iron deficiency

* Back aches

* Pelvic bloating

* Constipation

* Bladder pressure causing frequent urination

* Pregnancy and delivery complications

What Treatments are Available for Fibroids?

There are several treatments available for women who have fibroids. If you are not exhibiting any symptoms and the fibroids are not bothering you, no treatment may be necessary. However, if you are in pain and experiencing some of the more aggravating symptoms, if your fibroids are very large, or if you plan to become pregnant in the future, treatment may be required. Some of the treatments available include:

* Medications – use of medications such as oral contraceptives and gonadotropin releasing hormone (G-RHa) agonists attempt to control estrogen and progesterone, which will regulate the menstrual cycle and help shrink the fibroids. Danazol, which is like testosterone (a male hormone), will also be used at times to help shrink fibroids and the uterus. However, because this is a male hormone, there are often side effects such as weight gain, a deeper sounding voice, and unwanted hair growth.

* Myomectomy – this treatment plan is a surgical procedure, which removes the fibroids but leaves the uterus intact so you can become pregnant. There are multiple types of myomectomy procedures, abdominal, laparoscopic, and hysteroscopic.

* Hysterectomy – this treatment plan involves major surgery, removing the uterus, all fibroids, and ovaries. This procedure ensures fibroids will never return however, you cannot have children after a hysterectomy.

* Endometrial ablation – this treatment removes the inner lining of the uterus in order to stop heavy bleeding however, you cannot have children after this procedure.

There are several things to consider depending on your particular situation prior to making choices regarding fibroids. Things to consider include whether or not you are experiencing discomfort and exhibiting symptoms from the fibroids, if you want children in the future, and how you feel about surgery.  By weighing your options with your doctor, you can make the best decision for you and your future, keeping in mind that the vast majority of women who have fibroids do not require treatment.

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DISCLAIMER: All information is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a guarantee of any success.  This information has been previously researched but you should do your own research to expand your knowledge. This should not be consider as medical advice.