UTERINE FIBROID
Uterine fibroid are benign (not cancerous) tumors that originate in the uterus (womb).fibroids are tumors of the smooth muscle found in the wall of the uterus. They can develop within the uterine wall itself or attached to it. They may grow as a single tumor or in clusters.
Uterine fibroid are described based upon their location within the uterus:
SUBSEROSAL FIBROID: They grow on the surface of the uterus.
SUBMUCOSAL FIBROID: They grow inside the uterine cavity beneath the inner lining of the uterus.
INTRAMURAL FIBROID: They grow within the muscular wall of the uterus.
PEDUNCULATED FIBROID: They are located either inside the cavity of the uterus or can grow outside the uterus from its surface.
CAUSES:
The exact reason why some women develop fibroids is unknown. Fibroids grow in response to stimulation by the hormone estrogen. The growth can show up as “early as age of 20s, but tend to shrink after menopause when the body stops producing large amounts of estrogen.”
Uterine fibroid can be as small as few millimeters in diameter or they can also grow to weigh several pounds. The growth of fibroids is usually slow.
Following are the factors that causes fibroids:
- Obesity
- Uterine infection
- Family history & race
- First menstrual period prior to the age of 10
- Smoking and consumption of alcohol.
SYMPTOMS:
Majority of women with urine fibroid are asymptomatic, consequently gets less clinical attention and fibroid tumors remain undiagnosed.
Symptomatic women typically complaint about:
- Abnormal uterine bleeding, increased menstrual bleeding, sometimes with blood clots.
- Non-cyclic pelvic pain.
- Pressure on bladder, which may cause frequent urination.
- Pressure on rectum, resulting in constipation.
PREVENTION:
- Avoid gaining weight after age of 18 and maintain a normal body weight compared to height.
- Exercising
- Start eating whole grains, bran and fruits.
- Liquid intake.
- Quit smoking
- Avoid drinking alcohol.
SURGICAL TREATMENT:
There are several options for the treatment of uterine fibroid that includes surgery (hysterectomy, Myomectomy, MRI- guided high intensity focused ultra sound and Urine Artery Embolization (UAE).
Dr.Lalitha has dealt with lots of uterine fibroid cases in her practice. Recently, she treated a young unmarried woman who had uterine fibroid.
Let’s hear from Dr.Lalitha, what she has to say on that case.
“Feels good after removing a 12 cm uterine fibroid by minimally invasive procedure without cutting open the abdomen in a young unmarried girl.”
