Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous growths in the uterus.They develop from the normal muscle cells of the uterus and grow abnormally to form a benign tumor. The fibroids are very common in most of the women. Most of them are very small and do not cause any problem. The cause of this condition is still unknown. However, the growth of the fibroids depends on the female hormone estrogen. They are not seen until puberty and after 30. They mostly disappear or shrink after menopause when the level of estrogen decreases.
Cause of Uterine Fibroids
Various factors influence the growth of the fibroids like pregnancy, menstruation, birth control pills, and family history. Women who have given birth to children may not develop fibroids. If a woman has had the first period before the age of ten, there is more chance or developing the fibroids. Women who use birth control pills may not have fibroids. It may be inherited from close relatives.
Types of Fibroids
All the fibroids are made of same type of cells. But they are classified according to the place where they grow. Myometrial fibroids are seen on the walls of the uterus. The submucosal fibroids can be seen below the inner surface. They can protrude into the uterus also. Fibroids that grow outside the wall are called as subserosal fibroids. Some may grow outside the uterus and be attached with a stalk or base. Such fibroids are known as pedunculated fibroids. The size and weight of the fibroids can vary from microscopic to over ten pounds.
Symptoms
Most of the women never know that they are suffering from such a condition because the uterine fibroids have no symptoms. The symptoms will be visible only under certain conditions like very long menstrual periods for more than seven days, heavy bleeding, fullness or bloating in the pelvis or belly, pain in the belly or lower belly and constipation. In some women, the fibroids can interfere with the pregnancy and fertility. The growth can sometimes prevent the embryo from planting and cause problems. During a manual pelvic examination, the doctor can feel the moderate and large-sized fibroids. One method used for confirming the presence of fibroids is image testing. Other methods used for diagnosing the fibroids are ultrasound, pelvic MRI, uterine biopsy, hysterosalpingogram, sonohysterogram and hysteroscopy.
Diagnosis
The uterine fibroids are commonly diagnosed by ultrasound. It is used for differentiating it from other conditions like the ovarian tumors. Another method is pelvic examination; however, it is not sufficient to locate the mass. CT and MRI scans are also very useful for diagnosing. But the cheapest and simplest technique is ultrasound. Sometimes a hysterosalpinogram is done to test for the fibroids in the uterine cavity. In this method, ultrasound is done and a contrast fluid is used by injecting it into the uterus for outlining the masses within the cavity.
Treatment
Minor fibroids that are not harmful do not require any kind of treatment. Those that cause problems have to be treated using surgical and nonsurgical procedures.
- Most of the smaller fibroids will shrink over time and cause no trouble. Some of them stay in the same size while some of them may grow.
- Use of oral contraceptive pills is one kind of treatment. They contain the hormones progesterone and estrogen that help to reduce the heavy periods caused by the fibroids.
- The lupron hormone treatment is used for stopping the periods and shrinking the growth. This is a temporary treatment usually used before surgery.
- Use of intrauterine device can help to stop heavy periods. Some women are given pain relievers to reduce the pain caused by the fibroids.
- Use iron tablets for dealing with iron deficient anemia due to heavy periods.
- In severe cases surgery is employed to remove the fibroids.
Prevention
- Do not take high-estrogen birth control pills. They stimulate the growth of fibroids.
- Maintain moderate body weight. Fat cells have estrogen.
- Eat food items that reduce estrogen production.
- Exercise regularly at least 4-5 times a week. It helps to regulate the hormone production.
- Do not eat food items in large quantities which are rich in phytoestrogens. They have high levels of natural estrogens.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is there any alternative treatment available for uterine fibroids?
Homeopathic treatment is very effective for treating the fibroids.
2. Will the fibroids affect pregnancy?
Only 2–3% of women will suffer from infertility problems due to fibroids. Most of the women however do not have any problem in conceiving.