Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous growths that develop in the uterus. They are also known as leiomyomas or myomas. Uterine fibroids usually appear when you're of childbearing age between 30-40 years old however they can show up at any age. Approximately 20–40% of women in this age group suffers from Uterine fibroids. Fibroids can vary in size, shape and location. Fibroids don't interfere with getting pregnant. However, some fibroids especially the submucosal could cause infertility or pregnancy loss.
Symptoms:
The most common symptoms of uterine fibroids include:
- 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.
Types of Uterine Fibroids
Fibroids are named based on location in the uterus.
- Intramural fibroids - grow within the muscular wall of the uterus.
- Submucosal fibroids - bulge into the uterine cavity.
- Sub serosal fibroids - form on the outside of the uterus
Reasons for Uterine Fibroids
- Age – during the child bearing age specially between 30s and 40s females havetendency of developing uterine fibroids.
- Family history – if mother had fibroids in her life time the female kids have high risk ofhaving them is about three times higher than average.
- Ethnic origin–African-American women are more likely to develop fibroids than white women.
- Obesity Women who are overweight are at higher risk for fibroids. For very heavywomen, the risk is two to three times greater than average.
- Eating habits Eating a lot of red meat (e.g. beef) and ham is linked with a higher risk of fibroids. Eating plenty of fresh green vegetables protect from developing fibroids.
When to visit a doctor
- Pain in the pelvic that doesn't go away.
- Heavy or painful periods
- Bleeding between periods.
- Trouble emptying your bladder.
- Feeling tiredness and weakness, which can be symptoms of anemia.
Diagnosis of Uterine Fibroids
- Ultrasound – The ultrasound probe is placed on the abdomen or it can be placed insidethe vagina to make the picture.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) – Uses magnets and radio waves to produce the picture
- X-rays – Uses a form of radiation to see into the body and produce the picture
- Cat scan (CT) – Takes many X-ray pictures of the body from different angles for a morecomplete image
- Hysterosalpingogram (HSG) or sonohysterogram – An HSG involves injecting x-ray dye into the uterus and taking x-ray pictures. A sonohysterogram involves injecting water into the uterus and making ultrasound pictures.
How to Prevent Uterine Fibroids
Fibroids can’t be prevented, but research suggests certain lifestyle habits can reduce yourchances. Eating fresh fruits vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, collard greens, and turnip greens could lower the risk of uterine fibroids. Fruit and vegetables rich in beta-carotene, folate, vitamins C, E, and K and full of fiber can help you lower the chances of Uterine fibroids. Regular exercise, Yoga and Pranayama’s also can lower your chances of uterine fibroids.
Treatment of Uterine Fibroids
Medications
For mild pain your doctor may prescribe ibuprofen or acetaminophen. If you have heavybleeding during your period, taking an iron supplement can keep you from getting anemia or correct it if you already are anemic. 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 offer temporary relief from the symptoms of fibroids; once you stop taking the drugs, the fibroids often grow back quickly
Surgery
Fibroids with moderate or severe symptoms is the choice of treatment.
Myomectomy
Is to remove fibroids surgically without taking out the healthy tissue of the uterus. It can bemajor surgery (involving cutting into the abdomen) or performed with laparoscopy or hysteroscopy.
Hysterectomy
Is to remove the uterus surgically, this surgery is used when a woman's fibroids are large,recovery from hysterectomy usually takes several weeks.
Uterine Artery Embolization (UAE)
A thin tube is put into the blood vessels that supply blood to the fibroid. Tiny plastic or gelparticles are injected into the blood vessels. These particles block the blood supply to the fibroid, causing it to shrink. Complications, including early menopause. The best candidates for UAE are women
- 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 have children in the future
Microwave Ablation:
Procedure: Microwave ablation involves inserting a thin probe into the fibroids through a smallpinhole under ultrasound guidance. The probe emits microwave energy, which heats and destroys the fibroid tissue. Microwave ablation in Uterine fibroids is a new treatment option which is without any big cut on body. It is non-surgical treatment for Uterine fibroids which is promising as the uterus is saved and patient can have normal pregnancy and it also have no influence on ovary function.
Advantages:
- Preservation of Uterus: This procedure is uterus-sparing, meaning it does not involveremoving the uterus. It is an option for women who wish to retain their fertility.
- Short Recovery Time: Recovery time is typically shorter compared to traditional surgery like hysterectomy.
- Pinhole Non-Surgical treatment: The incisions made for the procedure are usually verysmall, resulting in minimal scarring.
