Many women, especially over 30 are diagnosed with fibroids. Find out more about this condition.
Uterine fibroids are probably responsible for more unnecessary gynaecological surgeries than any other condition. For many years, hysterectomy has been routinely suggested as the solution and the problems associated with their recurrence have been overstated. While approximately 25% of all women will have fibroids during their lifetimes, the vast majority of these women will never have symptoms and will never require treatment.
What are fibroids?
Fibroids are non-cancerous (benign) growths of the muscle wall of the uterus. These benign tumours develop in the uterus and are made of muscle cells and tissues which grow in and around the wall of the womb, or uterus. Studies indicate that being overweight or suffering from high blood pressure can be major risk factors. Women over the age of 30 are most affected. These fibroids usually shrink and cause no symptoms in women who have gone through menopause.
What are the causes of fibroids?
The cause of uterine fibroid tumours is not known. As growth depends on the hormone oestrogen, fibroids continue to grow as long as a woman is menstruating. The sizes, however, tend to vary. They are sometimes so small that they can only be seen through a microscope and sometimes so large, they fill the entire uterus.
What are the symptoms of fibroids?
- Heavy menstrual bleeding or bleeding between periods
- Pelvic cramping or pain with periods
- Sensation of fullness or pressure in lower abdomen
- Pain during intercourse
- Increase in urinary frequency
- Lower back pain
- Reproductive problems, such as infertility, multiple miscarriages or early labour
What are the tests done to diagnose the problem?
A trans- vaginal ultrasound, pelvic ultrasound or a pelvic MRI is done to confirm the presence of fibroids. A biopsy of the uterine lining is further conducted to rule out cancer.
What are the treatment options for fibroids?
- Birth control pills (oral contraceptives)
- Intrauterine devices (IUDs) that release the hormone progestin to help reduce heavy bleeding and pain
- Iron supplements
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or naprosyn
- Hormonal therapy (gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists or Depo Leuprolide injections)
What are the surgeries and procedures to treat fibroids?
- Hysteroscopic resection of fibroids: This is an outpatient procedure for women who have fibroids growing inside the uterine cavity. In this procedure, a small camera and instruments are inserted through the cervix into the uterus to remove the fibroid tumours.
- Uterine artery embolization: This stops the blood supply to the fibroid and causes it to shrink and die. This is not recommended for women who want to have children.
- Myomectomy: This surgery removes the fibroids. Though this procedure preserves fertility, more fibroids can develop after this treatment.
- Hysterectomy: Hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the uterus. Hysterectomy is an option if medicines and other treatments have not worked. A woman cannot become pregnant after having a hysterectomy. If the ovaries are removed along with the uterus, then it leads to the onset of immediate menopause.
Photograph by Monika Zietek, via sxc.hu
