Uterine Fibroids

 

Uterine Fibroids

Uterine fibroids are benign growths in the uterus that often appear during the childbearing years. Uterine fibroids are not cancer, and they rarely develop into cancer, nor do they increase the risk of other cancers in the uterus. Uterine fibroids, also called leiomyomas or myomas,

 

Can occur in varying numbers and sizes. There may be one or more. Some are so small that they are invisible to the naked eye, while others are as big as a grapefruit or even larger. Large uterine fibroids may cause deformation of the inside and outside of the uterus. In extreme cases, some large uterine fibroids fill the pelvis or even the abdomen. This may make the patient look like she is pregnant.

 

Many people develop uterine fibroids at some point in their lives, but they may not know it because there are often no symptoms. Fibroids may be discovered by healthcare professionals accidentally during a pelvic exam or pregnancy ultrasound.

 

 

Symptoms

Different types of uterine fibroids and their locations

-Fibride location

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Many women with uterine fibroids do not have any symptoms. For those who do, their symptoms are affected by the location, size, and number of fibroids.

 

The most common symptoms of uterine fibroids include:

-Heavy bleeding or painful menstruation.

-Longer or more frequent menstruation.

-Pelvic pressure or pain.

-More frequent or difficult urination.

-Enlarged stomach area.

-Constipation.

-Pain in the stomach or lower back, or pain during sex.

Rarely, uterine fibroids can cause acute pain when they lose their blood supply and begin to die.

 

Uterine fibroids are often classified by their location. Intramural fibroids grow in the muscle wall of the uterus. Submucosal fibroids grow into the uterine cavity. Subserosal fibroids form on the outside of the uterus.

 

 

 

 

When to see a doctor

See ​​your doctor if you have:

-Pelvic pain that doesn't go away.

-Heavy or painful menstrual periods that limit your sexual performance.

-Spotting or heavy bleeding between periods.

-Difficulty emptying your bladder.

-Persistent tiredness and weakness (which may be a symptom of anemia), which means low red blood cell levels.

See your doctor right away if you have heavy vaginal bleeding or severe pelvic pain that starts suddenly.

 

 

Causes

The exact cause of uterine fibroids is unknown. However, several factors may be involved:

 

-Gene changes.

Many uterine fibroids contain genetic changes that are different from regular uterine muscle cells.

 

-Hormones.

During each menstrual cycle, the tissue lining the uterus thickens in response to two hormones called estrogen and progesterone in preparation for pregnancy. These hormones also appear to promote the growth of uterine fibroids.

 

The number of cells that bind to estrogen and progesterone is higher in uterine fibroids than in regular uterine muscle cells. Uterine fibroids tend to shrink after menopause because hormone levels drop.

 

-Other growth factors.

Substances that help the body maintain tissues, such as insulin-like growth factor, may affect the growth of uterine fibroids.

 

-Extracellular matrix (ECM).

This substance is responsible for gluing cells together, acting like mortar between bricks. ECM increases in uterine fibroids, giving them a fibrous appearance. ECM also stores growth factors and causes biological changes in the cells themselves.

Doctors believe that uterine fibroids may develop from a single stem cell in the smooth muscle tissue of the uterus. The single cell divides continuously. Gradually it becomes a hard, rubbery mass that is different from nearby tissue.

 

Fibroids grow in different patterns. They may grow slowly or quickly. Or they may stay the same size. Some fibroids have growth spurts, while others shrink on their own.

 

Fibroids that develop during pregnancy may shrink or disappear after the pregnancy ends as the uterus returns to its normal size.

 

 

Risk factors

There are few known risk factors for uterine fibroids, other than being of childbearing age. These include:

-Race.

All women of childbearing age can develop uterine fibroids. However, black people are more likely to develop uterine fibroids than other racial groups. Black people develop uterine fibroids at a younger age than white people. Black people may also have more or larger uterine fibroids and more severe symptoms than white people.

 

-Family history.

If your mother or sister has had uterine fibroids, you are at higher risk for uterine fibroids.

 

-Other factors.

The following factors may increase your risk of uterine fibroids: starting menstruation before age 10, obesity, low vitamin D levels, a diet high in red meat and low in green vegetables, fruit, and dairy products, and alcohol consumption, including beer.

 

 

Complications

Uterine fibroids are not usually life-threatening, but they can be painful and may lead to complications, including a low red blood cell count (anemia). Anemia can make you feel tired because of the heavy blood loss. If you have heavy bleeding during your menstrual periods, your doctor may recommend iron supplements to prevent or control anemia. Sometimes, people with anemia need to receive blood from a donor (a transfusion) because they have lost so much blood.

 

 

 

Pregnancy and fibroids

Uterine fibroids usually don't affect pregnancy. But some fibroids, especially the submucosal type, can cause infertility or pregnancy loss.

 

Uterine fibroids may also increase the risk of certain pregnancy complications. These include:

- Placental abruption, when the organ that brings oxygen and nutrients to the baby (the placenta) separates from the lining of the uterus.

- Fetal growth restriction, when the unborn baby doesn't grow as expected.

- Preterm birth, when the baby is born too early, before the 37th week of pregnancy.

 

 

Prevention

Researchers continue to study the causes of uterine fibroids. However, more research is needed on how to prevent the disease. It is possible that uterine fibroids cannot be prevented. However, only a small percentage of these tumors require treatment.

 

You can reduce your risk of uterine fibroids by living a healthier lifestyle. Try to maintain a healthy weight. Get regular exercise. Eat a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables.

 

Some studies suggest that birth control pills or long-acting progestin-only birth control pills may reduce your risk of uterine fibroids. But using birth control pills before age 16 may lead to a higher risk.

 

Acupuncture treatment - uterine fibroids

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Moxibustion treatment - uterine fibroids