What are fibroids?
The Latin name for fibroids is, Leiomyomata Uteri. Uterine Fibroids are growths in the womb (uterus) they are made up of muscle and other types of tissue. Fibroids all most never develop into cancer. Uterine fibroids are very common in women of childbearing age. No one knows the definitive cause of fibroids.
Fibroids affect more than 1 in 5 women under the age of 50. They are the cause of about 3 in every 10 hysterectomies. Hysterectomy is surgery to remove the uterus (womb).
Who is at risk for fibroids?
- African American women have a greater risk than Caucasian women.
- Women who are overweight have greater risk than those who are not.
What are the symptoms of fibroids?
Many women don’t feel have no symptoms at all. If you are without symptoms you you may not even know that you have fibroids. Fibroids however, can be the cause some of the following symptoms:
- Heavy bleeding or painful periods
- Bleeding between periods
- Feeling “full” in the lower part of your abdomen or belly
- Needing to use the bathroom more often
- Pain during intercourse (sex)
- Low back pain
- Not being able to conceive; infertility
- Delivering prematurely or miscarriage
- Early labor during pregnancy
Where do fibroids grow?
Fibroids can grow in different parts of the uterus. They can be located:
- Inside the wall of the uterus.
- From the wall of the uterus outward into the lower pelvis and abdomen.
- From the wall of the uterus inward, toward the lining of the uterus. This is the type of fibroid that most often causes issues with heavy or prolonged bleeding.
Will I need a hysterectomy (removal of uterus or womb)?
If you need treatment, speak with your physician to see what form of treatment is best for you. Hysterectomy is not the best choice for every woman. A woman obviously would not consent to this treatment if her desire is to have more children.
What if I still want to have a child?
In some cases, fibroids can stop a woman from conceiving (getting pregnant), or with carrying a pregnancy to full term. There are several ways in which fibroids can be treated that may assist in achieving or maintaing pregnancy. These treatments can often improve your chances of having a successful pregnancy.
The form of treatment depends on several different factors:
- Do you have symptoms?
- Do you want to have children?
- How large are the fibroids?
- What is your age?
Treatment choices can include:
- Pain medications
- Shrinking the fibroids without surgery
- By decreasing the blood flow to them, uterine artery embolization
- By destroying the fibroids with heat, magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound
- Surgery performed to remove fibroids without taking out the remainder of the uterus, called a myomectomy
- Hysterectomy. Hysterectomy may be a good choice if:
- You have no desire for further childbearing AND you are having significant problems from the fibroids, such as pain
- OR, your periods are heavy causing anemia
You should discuss all of your options thoroughly with your physician.
Do fibroids cause cancer?
Fibroids very rarely become cancerous. Having fibroids also does not increase your risk of getting other kinds of cancers in the uterus.
Will they ever go away?
Fibroids usually stop growing and may even shrink after menopause “The Change of Life.” But keep in mind that most women choose to take some form of HRT (hormone treplacement therapy), at least for a short period of time in early menopause. This hormone replacement may cause the fibroinds to grow again.
Thoughts?
Related Post
* Disclaimer: The information in this article is to be used for general informational purposes only. It should not be used in place of professional medical advice. If you have further specific questions you are urged to consult with your personal physician for additional information.
photo credit: cover “The Female Patient” Magazine October, 2010