Topic Guide: Fibroids and Its Symptoms

 

Fibroids, also known by the names of leiomyomas, myomas, uterine myomas, and fibromas are the abnormal growth of tumors consisting of muscle mass, tissues, and cells in or on the walls of the uterus. Fibroids in the uterus are often benign, slow-growing, and non-cancerous. In general, Fibroid in Uterus occurs with symptoms like severe abdominal pain, heavy periods, or no symptoms at all and can result in women having one or multiple fibroids.

Types of Fibroids

Types of fibroids developing in a woman depend on the location in or on the uterus. Commonly there are 4 types of fibroids:

1. Subserosal Fibroids: Developed on the outside part of the uterus known as Serosa, subserosal fibroids grow large enough that makes the womb look bigger on one side. Subserosal fibroids are the most common types of fibroids occurring in women.
2. Intramural Fibroids: Developed within the muscular wall of the uterus Intramural fibroids are the second most common type of fibroid occurring. Intramural fibroid grows larger and stretches your womb.
3. Pedunculated Fibroids: Pedunculated fibroids are a part of subserosal tumors that develop a stem and a slender to support the tumor.
4. Submucosal Fibroids: Occurring fewer, submucosal fibroids are a less common type of fibroids developed in the middle muscle layer of the uterus.

Noticeable Symptoms of Fibroids

Affecting almost 20–80% of women by the age of 50 years, the symptoms caused by fibroids are highly dependable on the factors like location of the developing tumor, size of the fibroid, and others.

To some women, the symptoms of fibroids are nothing but to some it’s pretty difficult living with them. The noticeable symptoms of fibroids are:

1. Heavy periods or Menorrhagia
2. Painful menstruation
3. Leg pain
4. Back pain
5. Constipation
6. Frequent urination
7. Pain during sexual intercourse
8. Swelling in abdomen
9. Problems related to bloating
10. Anemia

Factors Associated with the Cause of Fibroids

The real cause of forming Fibroids is unclear but the factors that influence the development of the fibroids are:

1. Hormones: The hormones like estrogen and progesterone produced by ovaries cause the lining to regenerate stimulating the growth of fibroids.
2. Family history: Developing fibroids is one or the other time linked to family history. If fibroids run in your family and your mother, sister, or grandmother has fibroids the chances of you getting it is increased.
3. Pregnancy: Pregnancy is another factor associated with the development of fibroids. While a woman is pregnant the production of estrogen and progesterone in the body also increases which may or may not develop fibroids.
4. Age: Fibroids occur in women due to their age. It generally occurs in women aged between 30 and 40 years.
5. High estrogen level: High estrogen levels and hormones developed to promote the uterine encourage the formation of fibroids. It is mostly found in the women of their reproductive years or near to menopause.

Diagnostic Tests to Help you Detect Fibroids

For proper diagnostic tests, you need to see a doctor. People residing in the area of Dubai can consult Dr. Elsa, the Best Consultant of Obstetricians in Dubai. There are several tests that doctors can perform to detect Fibroids like:

1. Ultrasound
2. Pelvic MRI
3. Hysterosalpingogram
4. Hysterosonogram
5. Laparoscopy