Today we are zooming our camera on an important issue that affects a woman's reproductive system.
We are looking at fibroids.
There have been so many myths and theories surrounding this condition and our aim on this post is to educate us adequately on what it is and what can be done about it.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
What are Fibroids?
1. Fibroids are non- cancerous tumors of the uterus that always appear during a woman's childbearing years.
2. A benign tumor of fibrous and muscular tissue, one or more of which may develop within or attached to the uterus.
3. Fibroids are abnormal growths on or in a woman's uterus. The growths are typically benign, non cancerous.
Other names for fibroids are myoma, leiomyoma or fibromas.
FACTS TO NOTE ABOUT FIBROIDS
1. They are not associated with any risk of cancer and almost never develop into cancers.
2. They are the most frequently seen tumors of the female reproductive system.
3. They range in size from small seedlings to large, bulky masses that distort and greatly enlarge the uterus.
4. They can be single or multiple.
5. The real cause of fibroids is still largely unknown.
6. Fibroids thrive well in a woman of reproductive age because of the abundance of estrogen, the female hormone.
7. They begin to shrink after menopause due to the drop in the levels of female reproductive hormones.
8. When fibriods are removed they DO NOT GROW BACK. Whenever you have a recurring fibroid case after you have had a myomectomy before, know that there were other fibroid seedlings there that were not seen and removed and these are ones that grew over time but anyone that has been successfully removed is gone for good. It doesn't regrow.
RISK FACTORS FOR FIBROIDS.
- Age: as you grow older your chances of having them are higher. That is pre-menopause.
- Race: Women of African/ Afro-American descent have a higher chance of having Fibroids.
- Family history.
- Obesity.
- Environmental factors such as early onset of puberty, alcoholism, vitamin D deficiency can also pose as risk to coming down with fibroids.
TYPES OF FIBROIDS.
Fibroids are classified based on location.
Based on that classification we have three types.
a.Intra- mural Fibroids.
This is the most common.
It appears within the muscular walls of the uterus.
When it grows large, it can distort the shape of the uterus.
b. Sub-serosal Fibroids.
These are formed on the surface layer of the uterus.
They may grow large enough to make your womb look larger on one side .
Some of them develop stems with a slender base that supports the tumour.
Such types are known as the pedunculated fibroids.
Occasionally these types can twist on themselves and cause the woman so much pain and discomfort.
c. Sub- mucosal Fibroids.
They develop in the middle layer of the myometrium. They can grow so large as to occupy the uterine cavity.
These kinds can lead to heavy bleeding.
Relationship between Fibroids Pregnancy and Infertility.
According to some schools of thought, fibroids do not in any way interfere with fertility and pregnancy. However some do believe it does though not directly. The second school of thought believes that depending on the size and location of the Fibroids they may either hinder implantation of a fetus or where the pregnancy occurs they could grow so big as to pose a threat to the unborn baby by limiting the space the fetus can occupy which may lead to preterm delivery.
Also they may be present in some pregnancies and not increase in size and so do not possess any threat to the fetus.
Symptoms of Fibroids.
The symptoms of fibroids largely depend on the size and location of the tumor as well as the age of the woman. And for some women it is entirely symptomless.
1. Heavy bleeding both during menstruation and even between periods.
2. Prolonged periods.
3. Pelvic pain as a result of the tumor pressing on pelvic organs.
4. Lower back pain.
5. Pain during intercourse.
6. A firm mass which can be felt at the middle of the pelvis by the doctor and even the patient sometimes.
Treatment Options for fibroids.
1. Watchful Waiting:
Since most fibroids stop growing or may even shrink on their own as the woman approaches menopause, some health care providers suggest 'watchful waiting' approach.
What this means is that the doctor monitors the woman's symptoms carefully to ensure that there are no significant changes and that the fibroids are not growing. When the findings prove this is so, the provider would advise the woman especially if she's approaching menopause to just wait since most of them shrink after menopause due to drop in female hormones.
2. Surgical removal( myomectomy)
Where the fibroid is significantly large and is a source of discomfort to the woman with symptoms of heavy bleeding, this is the option most doctors will advise the patient to take. Sometimes if the fibroids are so many and the woman is done with child birth they may opt for total or partial removal of the uterus depending on the severity of the situation.
3. Gonadotropin releasing hormone egoists:
Sometimes the provider may place the patient on some medications that will help lower the level of the hormones which in turn will help reduce the size of the fibroid in case of a rapidly growing one.
4. Uterine Artery Embolization:
It's a relatively new technique that works by identifying the blood vessels supplying the fibriods and cutting them off thus depriving the fibroid of nutrition.
However women who still want to have babies are advised not to pick this option.
5. Pretesting release IUD:
This is a form of contraceptive that helps relive the excessive bleeding caused by the fibriods. However it does not shrink or make the fibriods go away.
It is simply used to relieve symptoms.
Also Diagnostic tools used to detect fibriods
include:
Ultrasounds
MRIs
HSGs.
In conclusion, there are no medications that "melt" Fibroids. Do not allow anyone decieve you. When you have issues always go and see your doctor.
Thank you.
Credits:
Mayoclinic.org
Healthline.com
ucla.edu/obandgyn.
Oxford medical dictionary.
There have been so many myths and theories surrounding this condition and our aim on this post is to educate us adequately on what it is and what can be done about it.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
What are Fibroids?
1. Fibroids are non- cancerous tumors of the uterus that always appear during a woman's childbearing years.
2. A benign tumor of fibrous and muscular tissue, one or more of which may develop within or attached to the uterus.
3. Fibroids are abnormal growths on or in a woman's uterus. The growths are typically benign, non cancerous.
Other names for fibroids are myoma, leiomyoma or fibromas.
FACTS TO NOTE ABOUT FIBROIDS
1. They are not associated with any risk of cancer and almost never develop into cancers.
2. They are the most frequently seen tumors of the female reproductive system.
3. They range in size from small seedlings to large, bulky masses that distort and greatly enlarge the uterus.
4. They can be single or multiple.
5. The real cause of fibroids is still largely unknown.
6. Fibroids thrive well in a woman of reproductive age because of the abundance of estrogen, the female hormone.
7. They begin to shrink after menopause due to the drop in the levels of female reproductive hormones.
8. When fibriods are removed they DO NOT GROW BACK. Whenever you have a recurring fibroid case after you have had a myomectomy before, know that there were other fibroid seedlings there that were not seen and removed and these are ones that grew over time but anyone that has been successfully removed is gone for good. It doesn't regrow.
RISK FACTORS FOR FIBROIDS.
- Age: as you grow older your chances of having them are higher. That is pre-menopause.
- Race: Women of African/ Afro-American descent have a higher chance of having Fibroids.
- Family history.
- Obesity.
- Environmental factors such as early onset of puberty, alcoholism, vitamin D deficiency can also pose as risk to coming down with fibroids.
TYPES OF FIBROIDS.
Fibroids are classified based on location.
Based on that classification we have three types.
a.Intra- mural Fibroids.
This is the most common.
It appears within the muscular walls of the uterus.
When it grows large, it can distort the shape of the uterus.
b. Sub-serosal Fibroids.
These are formed on the surface layer of the uterus.
They may grow large enough to make your womb look larger on one side .
Some of them develop stems with a slender base that supports the tumour.
Such types are known as the pedunculated fibroids.
Occasionally these types can twist on themselves and cause the woman so much pain and discomfort.
c. Sub- mucosal Fibroids.
They develop in the middle layer of the myometrium. They can grow so large as to occupy the uterine cavity.
These kinds can lead to heavy bleeding.
Relationship between Fibroids Pregnancy and Infertility.
According to some schools of thought, fibroids do not in any way interfere with fertility and pregnancy. However some do believe it does though not directly. The second school of thought believes that depending on the size and location of the Fibroids they may either hinder implantation of a fetus or where the pregnancy occurs they could grow so big as to pose a threat to the unborn baby by limiting the space the fetus can occupy which may lead to preterm delivery.
Also they may be present in some pregnancies and not increase in size and so do not possess any threat to the fetus.
Symptoms of Fibroids.
The symptoms of fibroids largely depend on the size and location of the tumor as well as the age of the woman. And for some women it is entirely symptomless.
1. Heavy bleeding both during menstruation and even between periods.
2. Prolonged periods.
3. Pelvic pain as a result of the tumor pressing on pelvic organs.
4. Lower back pain.
5. Pain during intercourse.
6. A firm mass which can be felt at the middle of the pelvis by the doctor and even the patient sometimes.
Treatment Options for fibroids.
1. Watchful Waiting:
Since most fibroids stop growing or may even shrink on their own as the woman approaches menopause, some health care providers suggest 'watchful waiting' approach.
What this means is that the doctor monitors the woman's symptoms carefully to ensure that there are no significant changes and that the fibroids are not growing. When the findings prove this is so, the provider would advise the woman especially if she's approaching menopause to just wait since most of them shrink after menopause due to drop in female hormones.
2. Surgical removal( myomectomy)
Where the fibroid is significantly large and is a source of discomfort to the woman with symptoms of heavy bleeding, this is the option most doctors will advise the patient to take. Sometimes if the fibroids are so many and the woman is done with child birth they may opt for total or partial removal of the uterus depending on the severity of the situation.
3. Gonadotropin releasing hormone egoists:
Sometimes the provider may place the patient on some medications that will help lower the level of the hormones which in turn will help reduce the size of the fibroid in case of a rapidly growing one.
4. Uterine Artery Embolization:
It's a relatively new technique that works by identifying the blood vessels supplying the fibriods and cutting them off thus depriving the fibroid of nutrition.
However women who still want to have babies are advised not to pick this option.
5. Pretesting release IUD:
This is a form of contraceptive that helps relive the excessive bleeding caused by the fibriods. However it does not shrink or make the fibriods go away.
It is simply used to relieve symptoms.
Also Diagnostic tools used to detect fibriods
include:
Ultrasounds
MRIs
HSGs.
In conclusion, there are no medications that "melt" Fibroids. Do not allow anyone decieve you. When you have issues always go and see your doctor.
Thank you.
Credits:
Mayoclinic.org
Healthline.com
ucla.edu/obandgyn.
Oxford medical dictionary.
Comments
Post a Comment