What are fibroids?

Fibroids, or in medical terms, a leiomyoma, is a proliferation of a type of muscle cells in the uterus. In the truest sense, it is benign cancer. It usually emerges from the smooth muscle cells of the uterus. Still, it may also arise from the cervix or the broad ligament, a suspended ligament attached to the uterus and the pelvic wall. They are typically painless, but the patient may complain of heavy and early bleeding.

What are the different types of Fibroids?

The types of fibroids can be based on location and their relation to the muscular wall of the uterus.

Based on location in the pelvic cavity, it can be

1. A uterine fibroid: is located inside the uterus.
2. A cervical fibroid arises from the cervix, which connects the vagina to the uterus.
3. A parasitic fibroid arises from the uterus but may attach to some other abdominal organ and start growing on its blood supply, cutting away from the uterus and thus becoming a parasite.
4. A fibroid of the broad ligament is a fibroid growing from the lining attached to the uterus and pelvis.

Based on the location inside the uterus:

1. Submucosal fibroid: It grows right under the lining of the inner cavity of the uterus
2. Intramural fibroid: It grows inside the wall of the uterus
3. Serosal fibroid: it grows inside the serosa or the layer that covers the outer part of the uterus

What are the different causes of a fibroid?

The following are the possible causes of fibroid:

1. Hormones like estrogen and progesterone have a very important role to play in the development of a fibroid. The role of hormones can be demonstrated by the fact that fibroids regress after menopause when the levels of estrogen and progesterone go down.
2. Genetics can play a role, too, as some mutations in certain specific genes like MED 12 can lead to fibroids and also make it a hereditary disease.
3. Pregnancy and oral contraceptives can cause the fibroid to grow as these are hormone-rich states, and hormones are fertilizers for the fibroid.
4. Insulin-like growth factors, a chemical messenger in our body, can also cause an increase in the size of a fibroid.
5. Vitamin D deficiency can lead to fibroids, as shown by recent studies.

What are the symptoms of fibroids?

A woman suffering from fibroids can have the following symptoms:

1. Pain in the lower back is due to strain on the ligaments that support the fibroids. It is relived on rest.
2. Constipation, if the fibroid is very big, it may obstruct bowel movements.
3. infection Urinary as it may cause the bladder to retain urine
4. Heavy menstrual bleeding if the fibroid is submucosal as it increases the area inside the uterus that undergoes bleeding.
5. Pain in the abdomen may undergo something called red degeneration, which can happen during pregnancy. Another thing that can happen during pregnancy is torsion of the fibroid if it is a sub serosal type in which the fibroid twists and undergoes degeneration.
6. Infertility may make the environment inside the uterus hostile.
7. Tiredness and fatigue due to anemia in the case of fibroids are due to excessive blood loss.
8. Pain during intercourse.If you experience any of these symptoms you can consult any of the experienced gynecologists at Medintu. in with our online consultation facility.

What is the treatment for fibroids?

The treatment of fibroids can be medical and, in cases that require it, surgical. Usually, if there are no serious symptoms, the doctor may ask you to wait it out as fibroids tend to regress on their own after menopause.

1. Iron supplementation: It needs to be done to treat the anemia due to excessive blood loss.
2. GnRH analogues and antagonists: These medicines cause fibroids to decrease in size.
3. Ulipristal and other progesterone inhibitors can cause the fibroids to shrink as well.
4. Myomectomy is the surgical procedure of choice in case of any fibroid complications like infertility or torsion.
5. Hysterectomy is done in older women who no longer wish to retain their childbearing function.

What can we do to prevent fibroids?

Fibroids are not exactly preventable, but you can reduce the chances of having fibroids b following a healthy lifestyle. Exercise, vitamin supplementation like Vitamin D, and micronutrients like iron and zinc should help. Avoid smoking and alcohol and focus on living a healthy life.