(womb). They are also known as
uterine fibroids, myomas, or fibromyomas.
Types of fibroids:
1. Intramural fibroids are located in the wall of the uterus
2. Subserosal fibroids are located outside the wall of the uterus and can become quite large.
3. Submucosal fibroids are located in the muscle beneath the lining of the uterine wall.
4. Cervical fibroids are located in the neck of the womb (the cervix)
Facts about fibroids:
1. There is no known reason why fibroids occur but experts believe that during a woman's reproductive years, her estrogen and progesterone levels are high. They believe that when estrogen levels are high, fibroids tend to swell but shrink when estrogen levels are low.
2. Women with a family history of uterine fibroids are more likely to have fibroids.
3. African-American women are more susceptible to the fibroid tumors.
4. Middle aged women who experience frequent uterine infections are more likely to have fibroids.
5. Obesity puts women at a greater risk of developing fibroids.
6. Fibroids are most common in women in their 30's through their 50's, but they tend to strike African-American women at a younger age says Dr. Kenneth Pierce.
7. Other risk factors like age, poor diet, using contraceptives may play an important role in the formation of fibroids.
Symptoms of fibroids
Symptoms may or may not develop with fibroids but when they do, here are the symptoms:
Anemia
Back ache
Frequent urination
Heavy painful periods
Pain in legs
Constipation
Period pains
Painful sex
Swelling in the lower abdomen(especially if fibroids are large)
In some cases, difficulty getting pregnant or miscarriage.
Diagnosis
Ultrasound
Trans-vaginal scan
Laparoscopy- a small flexible device that looks at the outside of the uterus where the doctor examines its size and shape.
Hysteroscopy- a small telescope that examines the inside of the uterus.
Biopsy- where a small sample of the lining of the uterus is taken and then examined under a microscope.
Treatments for fibroids
Fibroids are mostly manageable but when treatment is necessary it may be in form of surgery or medication.
Surgery to treat fibroids:
- Hysterectomy: Removing the uterus.
- Myomectomy: The fibroids are surgically removed from the wall of the uterus. This is an option for women who want to get pregnant.
- Endometrial ablation: This involves removing the lining of the uterus.
- Uterine Artery Embolization: Where blood supply to the fibroid is stopped.
- Magnetic resonance guided percutaneous laser ablation an MRI (Magnetic resonance imaging) where a scan is conducted to locate the fibroids, fine needles are then inserted through the skin and pushed until it gets to the fibroids. A fiber-optic cable is inserted through the needles through which a laser light hits and shrinks the fibroids.
- Magnetic resonance guided focused ultrasound surgery where an MRI scan locates the fibroids and sound waves are used to shrink the fibroids.
