Uterine Fibroids: Types, Causes And Symptoms

Uterine Fibroids: Types, Causes And Symptoms

 

Uterine Fibroids is the commonest benign tumor of the uterus.

Nearly 20% of women in the 3rd and 4th decade of their life have fibroids. About 50% of them remain asymptomatic they go unnoticed, about 3% incidence of fibroids is seen in OP patients on a day to day bases.

It’s more common in nulliparous women.

Most women, when they get Uterine Fibroids, they may never know that they have them!
In such conditions, Should you be concerned???

Let’s read the article to know more about Uterine Fibroids, including treatment options.

What Are Uterine Fibroids?

Fibroids are abnormal growth of muscular tumours on the walls of a woman’s uterus (womb). They are smooth muscle cells and fibrous connective tissues. Most fibroids are always benign (non-cancerous) tumours. They may turn into cancer very rarely incidence being less than 0.1%.

It is thought to be nearly 20% of women might develop uterine fibroids at some point in their lifetime but not every woman develop symptoms nor require treatment. Studies show that fibroids can vary in size, shape, and location, even in the same woman. The size fibroid can range from a pea seed to the size of a watermelon.

Facts About Uterine Fibroids?

• They also called as leiomyomas and myomas
• Usually, they develop during the reproductive years of age between 16 to 50 years where estrogen levels will be higher They are very slow-growing benign tumours.
• Nearly 30% of women are affected by fibroids by the age of 35 years and 20% to 80% of women by the age of 50 years
• Fibroids are less complicated, but they may be severe in some cases.
• Experts are working hard to find the exact cause of fibroids so that they can treat quickly.

Types Of Fibroids

Fibroids classified into different types depending on the location it occurs on or within the uterus.

• Intramural Fibroids (75%): These types of fibroids (benign tumours) are the most commonly seen in women. They develop within the muscular wall of the uterus and can grow larger expanding your womb.
• Subserosal Fibroids(15%): These types of fibroids developed under the membrane lining the outside of the uterus called serosa. They can develop into peduncle(a giant stalk of tissues) and makes your womb look bigger on one side.
• Submucosal Fibroids(5%): These types of fibroid developed under the inner lining of the uterus, i.e., inside the uterine cavity. These types of tumours are rare or less commonly seen.
• Cervical Fibroids(2.5%): These type of fibroids(benign tumours) develops in the cervix, the lower part of the uterus.
• Pedunculated Fibroids(2.5%): These type of fibroids grow either inside or outside of the uterine cavity like a stalk of tissues known as a pedicle (like a mushroom).

Causes Of Uterine Fibroids

The specific cause of fibroids is yet to know. Usually, they develop during the reproductive years when estrogen and progesterone levels become higher.

• Hormones – Ovaries produce hormones known as estrogen and progesterone, which helps to regenerate uterine lining during every menstrual cycle that can stimulate fibroids growth.
• Genetics – Genetics changes can also cause tumours. Studies found that many fibroids have different genes from those in regular uterine muscle cells.
• Hereditary – Family history of fibroids can also lead to this condition.

Risk Factors Of Causing Uterine Fibroids

There are several factors which might influence the development of uterine fibroids.

• Increasing age of women increases the risk of getting fibroids, especially in the 30s and 40s during menopause.
• Being overweight or obesity also increases the risk of fibroids.
• These tumours are also commonly seen in pregnant women because they tend to swell due to the production of high estrogen levels.
• Women who are taking birth control pills also tend to develop fibroids.
• Evident that red meat, alcohol, and caffeine can increase the risk of fibroids.
• African-American women are more prone to develop uterine fibroids than white women.

However, diet changes like eating more fruit and vegetables might reduce the risk of fibroids. Childbearing also reduces the risk of fibroids development, i.e., each time a woman gives birth, the risk of developing fibroids also decreases.

Symptoms Of Uterine Fibroids

Most of the time, they do not produce any symptoms nor cause problems, and a woman doesn’t even know she has a fibroid unless a doctor finds it during tests.

If the tumour is small or if you’re going through menopause, the symptoms may not develop, because, after menopause, the hormone production that stimulates fibroid growth will be slowed down and fibroids tend to shrink.

Out of every three women with fibroids, one woman may experience symptoms. The symptoms may include:

• Abnormal uterine bleeding or painful periods, sometimes with blood clots is one of the most common symptoms of a fibroid
• Anemia due to heavy periods
• Increased menstrual cramping
• Pelvic pain
• Long-lasting menstruation
• Pain during sexual intercourse
• Pressure or fullness in your lower abdomen
• Pressure on the bladder which causes frequent urination
• Constipation
• Enlarged abdomen or uterus
• Lower back pain and leg pain

Some other possible symptoms which include:

• Complications during labor
• Pregnancy problems
• Fertility problems
• Miscarriages

If fibroids causing fertility and pregnancy problems, they need to be removed in such cases because a woman may not be able to withhold pregnancy. There were a lot of treatment options to treat fibroids, which includes both medical as well as surgical treatment. For more information, contact our expert doctors at Sunshine Hospitals. Never take a chance over any health issue, if you notice any of the symptoms mentioned above come to us right away.

About The Doctor:

Dr. T Rajeshwari Reddy – MBBS, MS (OBG)

Dr. T Rajeshwari Reddy is a renowned Gynaecologist and a well known laparoscopic surgeon in Hyderabad. She has gained a lot of good-will from every single patient she has treated. Along with her exceptional skills in treating infertility problems, she is also good at personal counselling, which has helped many people to overcome their worries.

About Sunshine Hospitals:

A Multi Super Speciality Institution, 500 bedded Sunshine Hospitals (Paradise Circle, Secunderabad) is promoted by globally reputed Joint Replacement Surgeon Dr AV Gurava Reddy (Orthopedic Doctor) and like-minded associates who share the objective of making world-standard healthcare available, affordable and accessible to the common man. Sunshine has now become one of the best hospitals for many treatments including Orthopedic, Gastroenterology, Cardiology, Trauma and Neurology.