Uterine Fibroids Symptoms, Signs and Treatment

What are Uterine Fibroids?

Fibroids are tumours made up of tissues that develop inside or outside of the uterus. These tumours are generally benign, meaning non-cancerous. Uterine fibroids are also known as uterine leiomyomas or myomas. Uterine fibroids can often be identified in women during their reproductive age.

Many women have this medical condition without any symptoms. In some cases, they can cause heavy bleeding during menstruation and lower back pain. A woman can have one or multiple fibroids in her uterus. They can be smaller than an apple seed or as large as a grapefruit. Some women may even develop fibroids as large as a melon. Generally, they can shrink or grow gradually even without any medication. Fibroids typically shrink after menopause.

Recent studies have shown that fibroids are often identified in women around the age of 50. However, the exact causes of fibroids in the womb are still unclear, but they tend to develop when estrogen levels in women are higher.

Types of Uterine Fibroids

There are four types of uterine fibroids. The classification of fibroids depends upon where they are located. They are:

• Subserosal fibroid: A subserosal uterus fibroid is one of the most common fibroids in women. They generally develop on the outer wall of the uterus.
• Intramural fibroid: This type of fibroid develops on the inner wall of the uterus.
• Submucosal fibroid: This type of fibroid develops on the lining of the uterus.
• Pedunculated fibroid: This type of fibroid can develop on both the inner and outer walls of the uterus.

Uterine Fibroids Symptoms

Most fibroids in women develop without any noticeable symptoms. However, some can cause intolerable discomfort.

The common uterine fibroids symptoms include:

• Painful menstrual cycle
• Constipation
• Heavy bleeding during menses (menorrhagia)
• Lower back pain
• Feeling of fullness in the abdomen
• Pain during intercourse
• Frequent urination
• Leg pain

Some women may experience infertility issues due to fibroids. These tumors can also lead to complications during conception and labor, increasing the likelihood of a C-section delivery.

Causes of Uterine Fibroids

The exact causes of developing this condition are still unclear. However, it is said that they may be associated with higher levels of estrogen in women. Uterine fibroids tend to develop during the reproductive years of women as their steroid hormones such as estrogen and progesterone levels are increased. Hence, fibroids also tended to develop.

Hormones

It is understandable that the lower levels of steroid hormones in women help with the shrinkage of fibroids and fibroid womb symptoms. This happens when women encounter menopause or hormonal medications such as GnRH agonists or antagonists, which are synthetic forms of the GnRH peptide hormone.

Hereditary

Hereditary is also another cause of developing fibroids. For instance, if any of your close family members is having a fibroid issue, there are more chances that you are at risk of developing one of them.

Lifestyle and Healthy Diet

Studies show that the habit of consuming red meat, caffeine, alcohol and unhealthy lifestyle are associated with the development of this medical condition. A healthy lifestyle and balanced diet are typically associated with the shrinkage of fibroids.

Obesity

Obesity and weight gain are also other causes of developing fibroids.

Pregnancy

The studies show that pregnancy is associated with a reduced risk of developing fibroids. Each time a woman delivers a baby, there are reduced chances of developing the uterine fibroid.

Risk Factors of Uterine Fibroid

The increased chances of developing any types of uterine leiomyoma are associated with some of the following factors. They are:

• Regular usage of oral contraceptives
• Menstruating at a young age
• Consumption of alcohol
• Vitamin D deficiency
• Consumption of red meat
• Unhealthy diet

Diagnosis of Uterine Fibroid

When a woman encounters uterine fibroid signs and symptoms, it is recommended to have a consultation with a reputed gynaecologist. During the consultation, the physician may examine your pelvic area and diagnose the appropriate condition with a few tests. They are:

Ultrasound

The ultrasound is a diagnostic procedure, which is helpful in developing images of a woman’s uterus. The process is done by either transvaginal ultrasound or abdominal ultrasound.

During transvaginal ultrasound, the ultrasound probe is inserted into the vagina to get the pictures of the uterus and the medical condition. Whereas, the abdominal ultrasound is done by moving the probe over the abdomen and getting the images of the uterus.

This diagnostic procedure is helpful for the physician to have a clear idea of how large the fibroid is and where it is located.

MRI Scan

MRI scans are suggested if your physician needs more detailed images of the fibroid. This will help them to decide on the most appropriate treatment for the medical condition. MRI scans are primarily suggested for uterine fibroids when a woman has a larger uterus or approaching the menopausal stage.

Lab Tests

The blood tests help the gynaecologist determine whether the patient has anaemia or other bleeding conditions.

Hysteroscopy

Hysteroscopy is a surgical procedure performed by using a hysteroscope to examine the uterus. Hysteroscope is a thin device inserted into the uterus through the vagina via the cervix with a light and camera attached to it. In some cases, a small amount of tissue is collected from the uterine fibroid, which is known as biopsy. The biopsy is performed to determine whether the tumour is cancerous or noncancerous.

Hysterosonography

The procedure is otherwise known as saline infusion sonography since a small amount of saline solution is injected into the uterine cavity. This helps in improving the image quality of the ultrasound. Generally, hysterosonography is performed when a woman is trying to conceive or experiences heavy bleeding during the menstruation cycle.

Hysterosalpingography

Hysterosalpingography (HSG) is a procedure performed to view the health of the fallopian tubes and the uterus. The physician uses the dye to highlight the blocked tubes and other organs on an X-ray image.

Laparoscopy

Laparoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure performed to examine the uterus and its surrounding organs. In some cases, a biopsy may also be performed to determine whether the tumour is cancerous or noncancerous.

Treatment of Uterine Fibroid

Before stepping into the treatment process, understanding what is uterine fibroids is significant.

There are numerous ways to treat uterine fibroids. However, the treatment options are dependent upon the symptoms the woman encounters, her desire for pregnancy, her age, and the type of fibroid she develops. Considering all these factors, your gynaecologist may suggest the most appropriate option that best works for you.

Medications

Medications are helpful to ease the symptoms including pain and heavy bleeding that are associated with the medical condition. However, the medications cannot treat the fibroids, rather they help only to shrink them.

For instance, uterine fibroid treatments such as medications like oral contraceptives can help women with heavy bleeding during the menstrual cycle. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications including naproxen or ibuprofen can ease pain. Iron supplements and vitamin pills can help with regaining energy if you are experiencing anaemia.

Other medications include:

• GnRH agonists: GnRH (Gonadotropin-releasing hormone) agonists are hormonal injections that decrease the level of steroid hormones such as estrogen and progesterone in a woman’s body. This helps with shrinking the fibroids. Generally, this option is suggested by the physician before the surgery.
• GnRH antagonists: GnRH (Gonadotropin-releasing hormone) antagonists are hormonal pills that decrease the level of steroid hormones such as estrogen and progesterone in a woman’s body. These pills help with reducing or stopping the menstrual cycle.
• Hormonal birth control: Birth control pills help with regulating the ovulation cycle. This helps women to ease their pain and bleeding during the menstrual cycle. In addition, low-dose birth control pills help reduce the development of uterine fibroid growth.
• Progesterone intrauterine device (IUD): IUD is one of the uterine fibroids treatments associated with birth control medication. This option can help women with controlling to bleed heavily during their menstruation cycle.

Surgery

Uterine fibroids that are larger in size may not respond well to the medications. In such cases, your gynaecologist may suggest the surgery as an option.

Following are some of the surgical procedures to cure fibroids:

Hysterectomy

Hysterectomy is the procedure performed to remove the uterus partially or entirely. This method is suggested by the gynaecologist if fibroids are larger in size.

The complete removal of the uterus helps to prevent recurring fibroids. In some cases, your physician may remove fallopian tubes and ovaries as well. If these are removed, there are possibilities to encounter early menopause and reduced libido.

Myomectomy

Myomectomy is the surgical procedure performed to remove the fibroid from the uterus. This procedure is the best treatment option for women who are planning to get pregnant.

Endometrial ablation

Endometrial ablation is the procedure performed to remove the lining of the uterus. This is an effective surgical alternative for hysterectomy. Women having endometrial ablation can no longer get pregnant since the inner lining of the uterus is completely destroyed by the procedure.

Uterine fibroid embolization

Uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) is otherwise known as uterine artery embolization (UAE). UFE or UAE are the procedures performed to block the blood supply to the uterine fibroids.

The procedure is done by injecting a gel or chemical particles into the arteries through the catheter.

However, this surgical procedure is not the best treatment option for women who are planning to get pregnant. Also, they are not the best treatment option for all types of uterine fibroids.

Summary

Understanding the fibroids uterus meaning is a significant thing. Uterine fibroids are the most common condition that is developed in the uterus. However, these conditions do not cause any symptoms in most of the cases.

The treatment options for women with mild symptoms can range from medications to surgical options for women with severe symptoms.

Apart from treatment, a healthy diet, balanced food, and physical activity can help women to relieve discomfort. These will reduce the possibility of occurring uterine fibroids.