UTERINE FIBROIDS

Uterine fibroids are noncancerous or benign tumors that grow in or on the uterus of women of childbearing age, primarily between 30 to 50 years. Medically, they are known as leiomyomas or myomas. Although many women have fibroids with no symptoms, others can experience painful menstruation or heavy bleeding during periods or both.

Studies have found that 37.65 percent of women in rural India and 24 percent of women in urban India have Uterine Fibroids. Therefore, women must pay attention to the signs and symptoms that may point to the presence of a uterine fibroid and the warning signs that require medical attention.

Uterine fibroids may vary in size and shape and may impact that symptom. They can be as small as the seed of an apple or as big as a grape. A grape-sized fibroid may cause pelvic pressure, making the woman look pregnant due to abdominal growth. Huge fibroids are unusual but can not be ruled out completely. They can cause medical conditions such as infertility and anemia, which may affect an ongoing pregnancy.

Large fibroids may prevent the fetus from getting the correct fetal position and increase the mother's risk of a breech birth (when a baby is born bottom first instead of head) or malpresentation of the fetal head. It may also increase the chances of a pre-term or a C-section delivery.

Risks factors and symptoms of uterine fibroids:

Several factors may influence the formation of fibroids, although. It is unclear why they develop. However, estrogen and progesterone, the two hormones produced by ovaries, cause the uterine lining to regenerate during each menstrual cycle and may stimulate the growth of fibroids. Fibroids may develop and grow rapidly during pregnancy; they may swell when estrogen levels are high.

Following are a few risk factors that may impact the chances of developing these muscle and tissue growths:

• Obesity
• Family history of fibroids
• Women who are nulliparous (do not have children)
• Getting periods early
• Late menopause

Common symptoms of uterine fibroids may include:

• Heavy menstrual bleeding 
• Anemia due to blood loss may cause insomnia, fatigue, hair loss, and palpitations.
• Bleeding between periods
• Painful intercourse
• Increased urination
• Pain in the pelvis or lower back
• Swelling or enlargement of the abdomen 
• Constipation
• Leg Pain

However, women must immediately consult a doctor if she has one or more of the following :

• Pelvic pain that does not get better
• Hefty, prolonged, or painful menstrual bleeding
• Spotting between periods or menstrual cycles
• Difficulty while urinating
• Unexplained low Red Blood Cells (RBC) count, indicating anemia.

Treatment of uterine fibroids:

The expert states that depending on the size and location of the fibroids, the women's age, symptoms, and reproductive choices, uterine fibroids can be treated through medication or surgeries.

Medications may include:

• Birth control pills
• Oral hormonal medications
• Hormonal injections
• Iron supplements

Surgical interventions may include:

• Hormonal intrauterine device (IUD)
• Hysterectomy (removalof uterus)
• Myomectomy (removal of fibroids)
• Minimally invasive procedures such as uterine artery embolization, radiofrequency ablation, and laparoscopic myomectomy.
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Diagnosis:

Uterine fibroids are frequently found incidentally during a routine pelvic exam; Your doctor may feel irregularities in the shape of your uterus, suggesting the presence of fibroids.

It is advisable always to consult the right treatment method with your gynecologist and avoid self-medication.