Why Should Women Know About Fibroids?

Uterine Fibroids FAQ

Every woman, especially those who are in productive age should know and be aware about uterine fibroids. It is because fibroids can happen to 20-80% of all women below the age of 50.

What are fibroids?

Fibroids, or in medical term often called as myoma are muscular tumors grow in the wall of uterus (womb). Although fibroids are almost not cancerous, they can become very large in some unusual cases. Fibroids can grow as single or multiple tumors. The size can be as small as apple seed or as big as a grapefruit.

Uterine Fibroids

What causes fibroids?

No one knows exactly what causes fibroids. Many researchers blamed these two factors as the cause of fibroids; hormonal factors (estrogen and progesterone) and genetic factors.

Because nobody knows exactly what causes fibroids, no one also knows what causes them to shrink or grow. However, while fibroids are under hormonal control, they'll grow rapidly when pregnant (when hormone levels are high) and shrink when anti-hormone medication is used. Or when women reach menopause, fibroids may stop growing and shrink.

Who have a high risk of getting fibroids?

- Women whose age is 30-40 years old. This is a productive age. After menopause, fibroids usually shrink.

- Women who have family members with fibroids history will have higher risk of having fibroids.

- African-American women are more likely to develop fibroids than white women.

- Overweight women are at higher risk for fibroids, it is 2-3 times greater than average.

- Women who eat a lot of meat and ham are linked with a higher risk of fibroids.

Where is the exact location of uterine fibroids?

Most fibroids grow in the wall of uterus. Based on the location of the fibroids, doctors put them into 3 groups;

- Submucosal fibroids which grow into the uterine cavity.

- Intramural fibroids which grow within the wall of uterus.

- Subserosal fibroids which grow on the outside of the uterus.

There is also one more type of fibroids called pedunculated fibroids which grow on stalks out of the surface of the uterus or into the cavity of the uterus. They may look like mushrooms.

Schematic drawing of various types of uterine fibroids: a=subserosal fibroids, b=intramural fibroids, c=submucosal fibroid, d=pedunculated submucosal fibroid, e=fibroid in statu nascendi

What are the symptoms of fibroids?

- heavy bleeding which can heavy enough to cause anemia.

- painful periods.

- feeling of fullness in the pelvic area.

- enlargement of the lower abdomen.

- frequent urination.

- pain during sex

- constipation

- lower back pain.

How can you know for sure that you have fibroids?

Actually, the doctor can feel the fibroids with his or her fingers during an ordinary pelvic exam as a lump or mass on the uterus.

Your doctor can also do imaging test to confirm that you have fibroids, which include;

- Ultrasound

A very large (9cm) fibroid of the uterus which is causing pelvic congestion syndrome

- MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)

- X-Rays

- Cat Scan (CT)

A very large (9cm) fibroid of the uterus which is causing pelvic congestion syndrome

- HSG (Hysterosalpingogram) which involves x-ray dye injection into the uterus and taking x-ray pictures.

The doctors may also need surgery to know for sure if you have fibroids, such as;

- Laparoscopy.

The doctors insert a long, thin scope equipped with bright light and a camera into a tiny incision made in or near the navel. So they can view the uterus on a monitor during the procedure.

- Hysteroscopy.

The doctors pass a long thin scope with light through the vagina, that's why no incision is needed.

When you go to the doctors, what question should you ask them about your fibroids?

- How many fibroids are there?

- How large is their size?

- Where is the location?

- Can they grow larger? and how rapid are their growths?

- How can I detect if the fibroids grow larger?

- What further problems that may arise?

- What are the treatment options?

It's recommended to search second opinion if you don't find answers that meet your needs.

How to treat fibroids?

This part is separately posted in another section of this blog: Uterine Fibroids Treatment.

In the future, I will post more about natural treatment forfibroids.

Read also;

How to Deal with Fibroids and Pregnancy