BLOG – FIBROIDS

  • Jul,1 2022

Fibroids

Fibroids are quite common and many a times can be without  any symptoms, so someone may not even know that they have fibroids.

Fibroids usually develop in women aged 30-50 and can sometimes run in families.

Fibroids may be of various sizes, although some women just have one. They also tend to be larger when they occur at an earlier age 

Fibroids are also more common in women who weigh over 70 kg . Higher levels of oestrogen hormone that occur in obese and overweight women could be one of the reasons for fibroids.

The nature of fibroids is not understood completely & is believed to increase  or  decrease in size or vanish with time. They can occur anywhere in the womb and are named according to where they grow:

  • Intramural fibroids grow within the muscle tissue of the womb. This is the most common place for fibroids to form.
  • Subserous fibroids grow from the outside wall of the womb into the pelvis.
  • Submucous fibroids grow from the inner wall into the cavity of the womb.

Pedunculated fibroids grow from the wall of the womb and are attached to it by a narrow stalk.

Symptoms that you have fibroids

Heavy or more painful periods

The first sign of fibroids  is heavy or painful periods. Fibroids as such cause no change to  menstrual cycle but bleeding is often heavier than usual, sometimes with more pain. This can lead to low iron levels and to anemia which will be diagnosed by a hemoglobin test. This is easily treated with iron supplementation in the form of tablets and also through diet.

Bloating or swelling

If a fibroid is large you may have discomfort or swelling in the lower tummy (abdomen). Some women experience lower back pain due to their fibroids.

Bladder or bowel symptoms

Occasionally, a fibroid may press on the bladder which lies in front of the womb (uterus). You may then pass urine more often than usual. Rarely, pressure on the bowel (which lies behind the womb) may cause constipation.

Infertility

In younger women, if the fibroids grow into the cavity of the womb they can sometimes block the Fallopian tubes or interfere with implantation. 

Problems during pregnancy

Fibroids can be associated with an increased risk of having a caesarean section, the baby lying bottom-first rather than head-first (breech) and early labour. Your doctor will advise you further if you are pregnant and have fibroids.

Evaluation

The evaluation of fibroids is based mainly on the patient’s presenting symptoms: abnormal menstrual bleeding, bulk symptoms, pelvic pain, or findings suggestive of anemia. Fibroids are sometimes found in asymptomatic women during routine pelvic examination or incidentally during imaging. Ultrasonography is the preferred initial imaging modality for fibroids. Transvaginal ultrasonography is about 90% to 99% sensitive for detecting uterine fibroids, but it may miss subserosal or small fibroids

Medical  or  surgical management  of uterine fibroids will be tailored to the size and location of fibroids; the patient’s age, symptoms, desire to preserve fertility, and access to therapy; and the physician’s experience.