Uterine Fibroids

Uterine fibroids are a prevalent condition that many women suffer at some point in their lives. Fibroids can also create uncomfortable sensations at times.

Doctors can't even notice some of them with their unaided eyes since they are so little. Others develop in large masses that may change the size & form of your uterus. Uterine fibroids often manifest in women of reproductive age, typically between the ages of 30 and 40; however, they can occur at any age.

Due to a lack of symptoms, uterine fibroids are occasionally not detected until a pelvic examination or a prenatal ultrasound. There may be a single fibroid growth or several, depending on the specific circumstance. It is essential to seek medical attention right once since, in certain situations, it may be the root of uterine cancer.

After understanding the uterine fibroid meaning, let’s talk about the symptoms.

What symptoms indicate uterine fibroids?

The majority of fibroids don't exhibit any symptoms and don't need any kind of care beyond routine monitoring by your doctor. Usually, these fibroids are small in size. The term "asymptomatic fibroid" refers to a fibroid that has no symptoms.

You may encounter a number of symptoms from larger fibroids, such as:

• Extremely heavy or uncomfortable menstrual bleeding
• Bleeding in between cycles
• Menstrual cycles that last more than a week
• Bloating or a sense of fullness in your lower belly
• Frequent urination
• Pain during or after sex
• Constipation
• Lower back or leg pain
• Vaginal discharge that persists
• Unable to totally empty your bladder or urinate
• Your belly will seem pregnant-looking due to increased abdominal distention
   

When you reach menopause, your body's hormone levels start to fall, which causes your uterine fibroids symptoms to settle or disappear. Sometimes, a fibroid that has outgrown its blood supply and started to degenerate might cause severe pain. If you have extreme vaginal bleeding or rapid onset of intense pelvic pain, seek immediate medical attention.

What causes uterine fibroids?

There is no known reason why fibroids develop. Most cases of fibroids affect women of childbearing age. Young people who haven't experienced their first period yet often don't have them. You could be more prone to developing them due to imbalanced hormones and heredity.

• Genetics - Many fibroids have gene alterations that are different from those found in ordinary uterine muscle cells.
• Hormones - It appears that progesterone and oestrogen, two hormones that stimulate the uterine lining to expand throughout each menstrual cycle in preparation for pregnancy, are also responsible for the creation of fibroids.
• Extracellular matrix (ECM) - ECM is the substance that binds cells together. Fibroids become fibrous due to an increase in ECM. Moreover, growth factors are stored in the ECM, which also modifies the biology of the cells.
• Other growth factors - Fibroid development may be impacted by substances that assist the body in maintaining tissues, such as insulin-like growth factors.
   

How are uterine fibroids diagnosed?

During a normal pelvic exam, uterine fibroids are commonly discovered by chance. Your uterus may have anomalies that your doctor may feel, and that point to the existence of fibroids. If you exhibit uterine fibroids symptoms, your doctor may conduct an ultrasound or Complete Blood Count (CBC) to check for anaemia brought on by persistent blood loss.

Your doctor may request additional imaging tests if a conventional ultrasound is insufficient to offer the necessary information, such as:

• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
• Hysterosonography
• Hysterosalpingography
• Hysteroscopy
   

How are uterine fibroids treated?

There are various methods of treatment for uterine fibroids. The optimal course of action for you will depend on your age, the location, and the size of your fibroids, if you are experiencing symptoms and whether you plan to become pregnant. If you just experience minimal symptoms or none at all, your doctor may advise you to wait it out. Fibroids can develop slowly or not at all, and they are not malignant. With menopause, they could also get smaller or disappear.

1. Medication - Your symptoms are treated by medications for fibroids. Although fibroids won't go away, certain treatments may cause them to get smaller. They can also aid in treating signs like pain and bleeding. Bleeding can be decreased with oral birth control. Pain can be reduced by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. If you are bleeding a lot and develop anaemia; as a result, vitamins and iron supplements might aid with energy.

2. Surgery - Surgery may be required if your symptoms are moderate or severe. There are several options:

• Myomectomy
• Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE) or Uterine Artery Embolization (UAE)
• Endometrial ablation
• Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)
• Hysterectomy

Moreover, a more advanced technique termed focused ultrasound with MRI guidance can be used to treat fibroids. This procedure is really carried out while you are inside an MRI scanner.

What are the complications associated with uterine fibroid?

Despite being the most common tumour in women of reproductive age, acute problems from fibroids are rather uncommon. A woman's quality of life can be significantly impacted negatively by acute problems when they do occur since they can lead to major morbidity and, very seldom, fatality. The potential side effects of fibroids include the following:

• Difficult bowel movements
• Deformation of female reproductive organs
• Impaired blood flow, which might cause difficulties during pregnancy
• Red degeneration during pregnancy
• Infertility
   

Is there a way to prevent uterine fibroids?

Fibroids are often difficult to avoid. By keeping a healthy body weight and scheduling routine pelvic checks, you can lower your risk of developing this medical condition. Along with the fertility doctor, create a strategy to keep an eye on any tiny fibroids you may have.

If you are experiencing any discomfort or pain, you can always contact our doctors at Indira IVF.