Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous increases that develop in the uterus. They are also known as leiomyomas or myomas. They are particularly normal in women of childbearing time. However, by the age of 50, up to 70-80% of women will have experienced uterine fibroids, although not all will have symptoms.
Uterine Fibroids are categorized as:-
- Small fibroids: Less than 5 cm in diameter
- Medium fibroids: 5–10 cm
- Large fibroids: Greater than 10 cm
How to Check Uterine Fibroid At Home:
It’s not possible to definitively diagnose uterine fibroids at home, however you can watch for symptoms that might suggest their presence. Common signs of fibroids include:
- Heavy or Prolonged Menstrual Periods: Menstrual bleeding that lasts more than seven days or is unusually heavy.
- Pelvic Pain or Pressure: Feeling bloated, full, or pressure in the lower abdomen.
- Repeated Urination: Fibroids can put pressure on the bladder, which can cause frequent urination.
- Difficulty Emptying Bladder or Constipation: This can be due to fibroids pressing on surrounding organs.
- Backache or Pains in Legs: Large fibroids may press on nerves, resulting in pain in the legs or back.
- Enlarged Abdomen: You might notice an increase in abdominal size or a feeling of heaviness.
A proper diagnosis requires imaging, such as an ultrasound or MRI, which should be done by a healthcare provider.
How we can avoid uterine fibroid with a healthy life style
1. Maintain Healthy Weight: Do exercise regularly and maintain a healthy weight.
2. Healthy Diet:
- Leafy greens: High in fiber and essential nutrients.
- Citrus fruits: High in vitamin C and antioxidants.
- Legumes: Good source of fiber.
- Avoid red meat and processed foods: Some studies suggest that high consumption of red meat and processed foods may increase fibroid risk.
3. Engage in Regular Exercise: 30 minutes or more of physical activity per day.
4. Manage Stress: Chronic stress can affect hormone levels, which may increase the likelihood of developing fibroids. incorporating techniques for reducing stress, such as yoga, meditation, or deep breathing.
5. Avoid Excess Alcohol and Caffeine: it’s advisable to limit the alcohol and caffeine intake.
6. Family Planning and Pregnancy: Women who have had multiple pregnancies are at a lower risk of developing fibroids
7. Regular Medical Checkups: Regular gynecological checkups can help in early detection and monitoring of fibroids.
Yoga for Uterine Fibroid
1. Supta Baddha Konasana (Reclining Bound Angle Pose)
Benefits: Opens the hips, relaxes the pelvic region, and increases blood flow to the uterus. Helps reduce tension in the lower abdomen.
How to Do It: Lie on your back, bring the soles of your feet together, and allow your knees to fall open to the sides. Place cushions or blankets under your knees for support if necessary. Relax your arms beside your body and breathe deeply.
2. Balasana (Child’s Pose)
Benefits: Relieves lower back pain and abdominal discomfort. IAdditionally, it encourages relaxation and relieve stress.
How to Do It: Sit on your heels, then fold forward with your arms extended or alongside your body. Breathe deeply while placing your forehead on the mat. This pose helps to release tension in the abdominal area and lower back.
3. Malasana (Garland Pose)
Benefits: Opens the hips, increases blood flow to the pelvic region, and stimulates the reproductive organs. It can help relieve cramping or discomfort.
How to Do It: Squat down with your feet hip-width apart, bringing your palms together at your chest. Press your knees apart gently with your elbows. Maintain a straight back while taking deep breaths.
4. Viparita Karani (Legs Up the Wall Pose)
Benefits: Promotes relaxation, improves circulation, and helps relieve pelvic pressure. It can also help balance the nervous system and reduce stress.
How to Do It: Sit next to a wall, lie down, and swing your legs up the wall so your body forms an "L" shape. Allow your arms to rest at your sides and take slow, deep breaths.
5. Setu Bandhasana (Bridge Pose)
Benefits: Strengthens the pelvic floor and stimulates the reproductive organs. It also improves circulation to the uterus and lower back.
How to Do It: Lie on your back, fold your knees, and position your feet flat on the ground, hip-width apart. Lift your hips toward the ceiling, pressing your feet and shoulders into the mat. After a few breaths, hold the pose and then release it slowly.
6. Ustrasana (Camel Pose)
Benefits: Opens the chest and stretches the abdomen, which can help alleviate discomfort. This pose also boosts circulation to the reproductive organs and improves flexibility in the lower back.
How to Do It: Keep your knees hip-width apart when you kneel. Place your hands on your lower back or grab your heels if flexible. Softly curve your back, lifting your chest toward the ceiling. Keep it for few breaths, then release.
7. Pawanmuktasana (Wind-Relieving Pose)
Benefits: Helps relieve gas, bloating, and abdominal discomfort, which can be common symptoms for women with fibroids.
How to Do It: Lie on your back and bring one knee at a time to your chest. Wrap your arms around your knees and gently press them into your abdomen. You can also hug both knees at once. As you maintain the pose, take deep breaths.
8. Pranayama (Breathing Exercises)
Benefits: Breathing exercises like Anulom Vilom (Alternate Nostril Breathing) and Bhramari (Bee Breath) can help reduce stress and improve hormone regulation, both of which may contribute to fibroid management.
How to Do It: Sit with your back straight and in a comfortable position. Practice deep breathing techniques while focusing on your breath. This can help calm your mind and reduce stress-related hormone imbalances.
9. Shavasana (Corpse Pose)
Benefits: Helps the body relax completely and promotes stress relief, which is crucial for managing fibroid symptoms.
How to Do It: Spread your legs wide apart and place your arms by your sides while you lie flat on your back. Close your eyes and focus on your breath. Stay in this pose for several minutes, allowing your body and mind to relax fully.
Symptoms of Uterine Fibroids:
- Heavy bleeding (menorrhagia), long, frequent and painful periods (dysmenorrhea).
- Pelvic pressure or pain.
- Frequent urination or trouble urinating.
- Growing stomach area.
- Constipation.
- Pain in the stomach area or lower back or pain during sex.
Cause for Uterine Fibroids:
- Age: During the child bearing age specially between 30s and 40s females have tendency of developing uterine fibroids.
- Family history: if mother had fibroids in her life time the female kids have high risk of having them is about three times higher than average.
- Ethnic origin: Compared to white women, African-American women are more likely to acquire fibroids.
- Obesity: Obesity increases the risk of fibroids in women. The risk is two to three times higher than average for women who are extremely overweight.
- Eating habits: Eating a lot of red meat (e.g. beef) and ham is linked with a higher risk of fibroids.
Treatments of Uterine Fibroids
1. Medications
Your doctor might recommend acetaminophen or ibuprofen for minor pain. If you bleed a lot during your period, taking an iron supplement can prevent anaemia or treat it if it already exists. Drugs commonly used for birth control can be prescribed to help control symptoms of fibroids. Low-dose birth control pills do not make fibroids grow and can help control heavy bleeding. Other drugs used to treat fibroids are "gonadotropin releasing hormone agonists" (GnRHa). GnRHas give temporary support from the symptoms of fibroids; once you stop taking the drugs, the fibroids many times grow back instantly.
2. Surgery
Treatment options for fibroids with moderate to severe symptoms are available.
3. Myomectomy
is to surgically remove fibroids without removing any of the uterine tissue that is healthy. It can be done with a laparoscope or hysteroscopy, or it can be major surgery involving cuts made in the abdomen.
4. Hysterectomy
is a surgical procedure used to remove the uterus when a woman has large fibroids. It typically takes several weeks to recover from a hysterectomy.
5. Uterine Artery Embolization (UAE)
A thin tube is placed into the blood vessels that deliver blood to the fibroid. The blood vessels are injected with tiny particles of gel or plastic. These particles cause the fibroid to shrink by blocking its blood supply. Complications, including early menopause. Following Women are the best candidates for the UAE:
- Have fibroids that are causing heavy bleeding
- Have fibroids that are causing pain or pressing on the bladder or rectum
- Don't want to have a hysterectomy
- Don't want to be the mother in the future
6. Microwave Ablation:
Procedure: Under ultrasound guidance, a thin probe is inserted through a tiny pinhole into the fibroids to perform microwave ablation. The fibroid tissue is heated and destroyed by the microwave energy that the probe emits. A novel treatment option for uterine fibroids that doesn't involve major bodily cuts is microwave ablation. This new treatment for fibroids without surgery approach to treating uterine fibroids is encouraging because it preserves the uterus, allows the patient to have a typical pregnancy, and has no negative effects on ovarian function.
Advantages:
- No Uterus removal: This procedure is uterus-sparing, meaning it does not involve removing the uterus. It is an option for women who wish to retain their fertility and post microwave ablation female have a normal pregnancy.
- Short Recovery Time: Recovery time is typically shorter compared to traditional surgery like hysterectomy.
- Pinhole non-surgical treatment: Usually, the procedure involves very small incisions that leave very few scars.
- Day Care Procedure: Generally, the patient is admitted in the morning and discharged by the evening.
At Last
Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous growths in the uterus that can cause symptoms like heavy bleeding, pain, and frequent urination. Though their exact cause isn't clear, factors like age, family history, and diet may increase the risk. Treatment options range from medications to surgeries, including newer, less invasive procedures like microwave ablation, which preserves fertility and offers quicker recovery.