What are Uterine Fibroids?
Uterine Fibroids are generally defined as: “Non-cancerous growths in the uterus that can develop during a woman's childbearing years.”
They can also be referred to as “uterina myomas” by healthcare professionals. They are essentially a distinct, rubbery mass in the uterine lining that can grow in different patterns depending on the environment.
Why do Uterine Fibroids develop?
There has been a lot of research done on fibroids but there is yet to be a proven, single cause for developing fibroids. With the research and studies done, however, doctors have managed to pin down some leading possible causes:
• Genetics: If there is a family history of uterine fibroids, your risk of developing them is higher than usual.
• Hormones: An imbalance in the Estrogen and progesterone hormones can be a cause of developing uterine fibroids. Both hormones are responsible for the development of the uterine lining during each menstrual cycle in preparation for pregnancy. Studies have shown that they promote the development of fibroids when the body is not producing the optimum amount.
• Obesity: Adding to hormone imbalance in the body, obesity can add to your risk of developing fibroids. Obesity generally brings on insulin resistance which is also believed to promote the development of fibroids.
• Heritage: Numerous studies conducted have produced results showing that Black women have a higher risk of developing fibroids than any other racial groups. They are also more likely to develop them at a younger age.
What are the symptoms of Uterine Fibroids?
In many cases, women do not present with symptoms of uterine fibroids and can live life with no effects of the growths. But, for the women who do experience symptoms, they can vary depending on the environment and the location of the fibroid in the uterus. These are some of the common symptoms of having uterine fibroids:
• Heavy menstrual bleeding
• Menstrual periods lasting more than a week
• Pelvic pressure or pain
• Frequent urination
• Difficulty emptying the bladder
• Constipation
• Backache or leg pains
It is very rare that a fibroid will cause acute pelvic pain, but when it does happen, it is wise to visit your treating doctor to examine your condition.
The above symptoms can come with problems of their own. Heavy menstrual bleed for prolonged periods of time can lead to an iron deficiency and anaemia. This condition can become quite serious and should be treated by a healthcare professional before conditions become irreversible.
Can I prevent the development of Uterine Fibroids?
Even with all of the research done around fibroids, there still is no known prevention of these growths. A good practice in lowering your risk of developing fibroids would be to practice a healthy lifestyle and balancing your hormones. Eat lots of fruit and veges, and lower your intake of red meats.
How am I diagnosed with Uterine Fibroids?
A lot of the time fibroids are found by chance during a routine pelvic exam. Once your doctor suspects fibroids, they may require further tests to accurately diagnose the condition. These test may be in the form of an Ultrasound, Hysterosalpingography or an MRI, depending on resources available and the location or severity of the uterine fibroids.
What is the treatment for Uterine Fibroids?
There are different avenues to treating fibroids or their symptoms. In a lot of cases, women choose not to intervene unless symptoms become too severe to live with. Major blood loss can become life threatening, so that symptom would be one that would need to be controlled, if it arose:
• Medication: There are quite a few options of medication to be prescribed for the major symptoms of developing uterine fibroids. Most of the medication is aimed at reducing significant blood loss. There are no medications that can directly shrink the fibroids without interfering with other bodily functions.
• Non-invasive procedures: There is an option to have a FUS or Focused Ultrasound Surgery to remove smaller fibroids from the uterine lining.
• Minimally invasive procedures: For the removal of larger fibroids there are procedures like UAE (Uterine Artery Embolization), Myolysis, Laparoscopic or robotic myomectomy or Hysteroscopic myomectomy.
• Traditional or invasive procedures: Sometimes there is only the option for major invasion to remove very large fibroids. These procedures include abdominal myomectomy and hysterectomy.
If you are still planning of having children, stay away from the invasive procedures like hysterectomy and endometrial ablation. These are the only known permanent solutions to removing uterine fibroids.
Prepare yourself for your doctors visit
Fibroids can only be diagnosed by a doctor or healthcare professional and they will ask you many questions on the road to there. Here is what you can expect from your doctor when enquiring about uterine fibroids:
• How often do you have these symptoms?
• How long have you been experiencing symptoms?
• How severe are your symptoms?
• Do your symptoms seem to be related to your menstrual cycle?
• Does anything improve your symptoms?
• Does anything make your symptoms worse?
• Do you have a family history of uterine fibroids?
Conclusion
You can live a long and full life without even knowing that you have fibroids, but there are solutions to ease your life if you do feel them. Just remember to Watch, Professionally diagnose and Treat.