Uterine Fibroids
October 22, 2009
Fibroids are basically tumours. The growing cells of the walls of the uterus form uterine fibroids. They can grow on the walls of the uterus and can also project from the walls of the uterus to the narrow cavity, which moves into the uterine cavity. Some fibroids may even push to the intestine and bladder, depending upon their size and place of origin.
There is a myth that every fibroid is cancerous but this is not true.
Size
The size of the fibroid can be as small as a pea or as big as a football. Some can become so huge that they may block the opening of the vagina due to which the pregnant women have to undergo caesarian delivery.
Cause
The exact causes of uterine fibroids are still unknown. They can be due to high estrogen levels in the body, which can be due to pregnancy or contraceptive pills or some other reasons.
Symptoms
There are various symptoms of the disease but these vary from woman to woman. Some of them could be painful periods, irregular periods with heavy bleeding, pelvic pain, infertility, miscarriage, feeling of pressure or fullness in the lower abdomen and many more.
If the fibroid exerts pressure on the bladder, the women would have urge of frequent urination. But if it exerts the pressure on the back there could be problem of constipation and backache.
Diagnosis
It is diagnosed by internal examination. Ultrasound is also referred to know the exact place of the fibroid.
Treatment
If the fibroid is giving any problem then only it is treated otherwise not. The treatment depends upon the severity of the disease and age of the patient.
There are two types of treatment. One is in which you the fibroid is removed surgically and the uterus remains intact and women can conceive but the fibroid can grow again. This is called myomectomy.
Other procedure is named as hysterectomy. In this the uterus is removed with fibroid. A woman with the problem of uterine fibroid has to undergo this surgery because the reoccurrence is confirmed.
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