Uterus Treatment Fibroids

Uterine fibroids are very common and affect 70% of women by the age of 50. However, the symptoms they have caused can vary greatly and some women with uterine fibroids do not require treatment at all. In this instance, watchful waiting is usually employed, which involves regular pelvic exams to monitor tumor growth.

For women experiencing heavy menstrual bleeding or experiencing significant abdominal pain, treatment is often required to manage the symptoms. Depending on the individual factors of the woman, the pharmacological situation or the operation may be the most advantageous.

Factors to consider

Initially, it is important to consider the presence of symptoms due to uterine fibroids. Many women with fibroids do not need treatment since the symptoms do not make a big impact on their lives.

In addition, the type of symptoms is important because some treatments address specific ailments. The symptoms can be broadly classified into two groups of heavy menstrual flow and discomfort of the abdominal area.

The types of fibroids and the general health of women should also be considered. Her time can affect the treatment given, particularly if she is close to transition.

The women who are currently pregnant or who plan to become pregnant in the future should be given special attention because uterine fibroids can have an influence on fertility and fetal growth, as well as affect the treatment decision. Additionally, some types of surgery should only be recommended if the woman is sure that she does not want to bear children in the future, as they may make her infertile.

Pharmaceutical Options

Medical treatment can be used to address the symptoms arising from the presence of uterine fibroids. Treatment options can include:

• Oral contraceptive pill (OCP) to regulate hormonal levels and control the growth of uterine fibroids. This is particularly useful when heavy current and staining between periods makes an issue.
• IUDs (IUDs) in the uterus also release hormones that reduce related symptoms of heavy bleeding and abdominal pain.
• The analgesic medicine such as ibuprofen, naproxen, and other NSAIDs can help to alleviate abdominal pain and obstruction.
• Iron supplements can manage symptoms of anemia, which is common in women who lose large volumes of menstrual blood.
• Hormone therapy injections are administered over a short, different period of time, offer a solution to help shrink fibroid causing problems.

Surgical Options

The surgical removal of uterine fibroids is often indicated if they cause the women to experience significant symptoms that affect her daily life. There are several different types of surgery and the best procedure will depend on the unique situation of the woman.

• Hysteroscopy involves the removal of fibroids that grow within the uterus.
• Uterine artery embolization is a procedure that hinders the blood supply to a uterine fibroid, causing the cells to die and the tumor to shrink. Since this does not affect the functionality of the uterus, it is a good option for women who are planning to become pregnant in the future.
• Myomectomy involves the surgical removal of fibroids from the uterus and is another good option for women who may wish to become pregnant in the future.
• A hysterectomy implies the complete removal of the uterus. This is a good option for persistent fibroids that are likely to come back since it eliminates the possibility of recurrence. However, it is not possible for women who would like to wear children in the future, since the uterus plays a central role in pregnancy.

A new treatment method involves the use of radiofrequency ablation to destroy fibroid tissue with minimal damage to the surrounding of uterine tissue. This is a non-invasive procedure that shrinks fibroids and allows many women to make a complete recovery within a few days.

ARE UTERINE FIBROIDS SERIOUS?

Uterine fibroids are benign tumors that originate in the uterus (womb).

It is not known exactly why women develop uterine fibroids. Most women with uterine fibroids have no symptoms. However, fibroids can cause a number of symptoms depending on their size, location within the uterus, and how close they are to adjacent pelvic organs. These are most commonly abnormal bleeding, pain and pressure.

Uterine Fibroids are diagnosed by pelvic exam and by ultrasound.

For uterine fibroid treatment visit us at Fibroid Treatment Clinic Africa

WHAT ARE UTERINE FIBROIDS? WHAT DO THEY LOOK LIKE

Uterine fibroids are benign tumors that originate in the uterus (womb). Although they are composed of the same smooth muscle fibers as the uterine wall (myometrium), they are much denser than normal myometrium. Uterine fibroids are usually round. In most cases, fibroids do not cause pain or other symptoms. However, exceptionally large fibroids may cause pressure on the bladder or other organs, leading to specific symptoms (see: What are the symptoms of uterine fibroids?)

Uterine fibroids are often described based upon their location within the uterus.

• Subserosal fibroids are located beneath the serosa. These often appear localized on the outside surface of the uterus or may be attached to the outside surface by a pedicle.
• Submucosal fibroids are located inside the uterine cavity beneath the inner lining of the uterus. Intramural fibroids are located within the muscular wall of the uterus.
• Intramural fibroids are located within the muscular wall of the uterus.
• Pedunculated fibroids grow on a stalk of tissue known as a pedical (like a mushroom), extending either inside the cavity of the uterus or outside the uterus from its outer surface.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF UTERINE FIBROIDS? DO THEY CAUSE PAIN?

Most of the time, uterine fibroids do not cause symptoms or problems, and a woman with a fibroid is usually unaware of its presence.

However, abnormal uterine bleeding is the most common symptom of a fibroid. If the tumors are near the uterine lining, or interfere with the blood flow to the lining, they can cause heavy periods, painful periods, prolonged periods or spotting between menses. Women with excessive bleeding due to fibroids may develop iron deficiency anemia. Uterine fibroids that are degenerating can sometimes cause severe, localized pain.

Fibroids can also cause a number of symptoms depending on their size, location within the uterus, and how close they are to adjacent pelvic organs. Large fibroids can cause:

• pressure,
• pelvic pain, including pain during sex,
• pressure on the bladder with frequent or even obstructed urination, and
• pressure on the rectum with painful or difficult defecation.

While fibroids do not interfere with ovulation, some studies suggest that they may impair fertility and lead to poorer pregnancy outcomes. In particular, submucosal fibroids that deform the inner uterine cavity are most strongly associated with decreases in fertility. Occasionally, fibroids are the cause of recurrent miscarriages. If they are not treated in these cases, the woman may not be able to sustain a pregnancy.

WHAT CAUSES UTERINE FIBROIDS TO GROW? HOW BIG CAN THEY GET?
We do not know exactly why women develop these tumors. Genetic abnormalities, alterations in growth factor (proteins formed in the body that direct the rate and extent of cell proliferation) expression, abnormalities in the vascular (blood vessel) system, and tissue response to injury have all been suggested to play a role in the development of fibroids.

Early pregnancy decreases the likelihood that fibroids will develop. Fibroids have not been observed in girls who have not reached puberty, but adolescent girls may rarely develop fibroids. Other factors that researchers have associated with an increased risk of developing fibroids include having the first menstrual period (menarche) prior to age 10, consumption of alcohol (particularly beer), uterine infections, and elevated blood pressure(hypertension).

Estrogen tends to stimulate the growth of fibroids in many cases. Uterine fibroids can be as small as a few millimeters (less than an inch) in diameter. They can also be very large (grapefruit-sized or larger).

Another risk of leaving these tumors alone is that they sometimes grow to a size that eventually cause significant symptoms, thus requiring removal. If fibroids grow large enough, the surgery to remove them can become more difficult and risky.



WHAT TESTS DIAGNOSE UTERINE FIBROIDS?
Uterine fibroids are diagnosed by pelvic exam and even more commonly by ultrasound. Often, a pelvic mass cannot be determined to be a fibroid on pelvic exam alone, and ultrasound is very helpful in differentiating it from other conditions such as ovarian tumors. MRI and CT scans can also play a role in diagnosing fibroids, but ultrasound is the simplest, cheapest, and best technique for imaging the pelvis. Occasionally, when trying to determine if a fibroid is present in the uterine cavity (endometrial cavity), a hysterosonogram (HSG) is done. In this procedure, an ultrasound exam is done while contrast fluid is injected into the uterus through the cervix. The fluid within the endometrial cavity can help outline any masses that are inside, such as submucosal fibroids.

WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF UTERINE FIBROIDS DURING PREGNANCY?
Some studies have shown an increased risk of pregnancy complications in the presence of fibroids, such as first trimester bleeding, breech presentation, placental abruption, and problems during labor. Fibroids have also been associated with an increased risk of cesarean delivery. The size of the fibroid and its precise location within the uterus are important factors in determining whether a fibroid causes obstetric complications.

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Fibroid Treatment Clinic Africa
Wilderness Road, Claremont
Cape Town, 7708
info@fibroids.co.za
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