A benign smooth muscle neoplasm arising from the body of the uterus. It is characterized by the presence of spindle cells with cigar-shaped nuclei, interlacing fascicles, and a whorled pattern.
Symptoms of Fibroids
The following features are indicative of Fibroids:
heavy menstrual bleeding
menstrual periods lasting more than a week
pelvic pressure or pain
frequent urination
difficulty emptying the bladder
constipation
backache or leg pain
It is possible that Fibroids shows no physical symptoms and still is present in a patient.
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Common Causes of Fibroids
The following are the most common causes of Fibroids:
genetic changes
estrogen and progesterone hormones
insulin-like growth factor
Risk Factors for Fibroids
The following factors may increase the likelihood of Fibroids:
hereditary
black women
environmental factors
onset of menstruation at an early age
use of birth control
obesity
Prevention of Fibroids
Yes, it may be possible to prevent Fibroids. Prevention may be possible by doing the following:
making healthy lifestyle choices
maintaining a normal weight
eating fruits and vegetables
Occurrence of Fibroids
Number of Cases
The following are the number of Fibroids cases seen each year worldwide:
Very common > 10 Million cases
Common Age Group
Fibroids most commonly occurs in the following age group:
Aged > 50 years
Common Gender
Fibroids most commonly occurs in the following gender:
Female
Lab Tests and Procedures for Diagnosis of Fibroids
The following lab tests and procedures are used to detect Fibroids:
Ultrasound: To get picture of uterus
Complete blood count (CBC): To investigate the potential cause of the disease
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): To test the size and location of fibroids
Hysterosalpingography: To highlight the uterine cavity and fallopian tubes on X-ray images
Doctor for Diagnosis of Fibroids
Patients should visit the following specialists if they have symptoms of Fibroids:
General Surgeon
Obstetrician
Gynecologist
Complications of Fibroids if untreated
Yes, Fibroids causes complications if it is not treated. Below is the list of complications and problems that may arise if Fibroids is left untreated:
anemia from heavy blood loss
Procedures for Treatment of Fibroids
The following procedures are used to treat Fibroids:
MRI-guided focused ultrasound surgery: To heat and destroy small areas of fibroid tissue by using sound waves
Uterine artery embolization: To shrink the fibroids and relieving the symptoms they cause
Myolysis: To destroy the fibroids and shrinks the blood vessels that feed them
Laparoscopic or robotic myomectomy: Removal of fibroids from uterus
Hysteroscopic myomectomy: To remove fibroids
Endometrial ablation: To destroy the lining of uterus to reduce the menstrual flow
Abdominal myomectomy: To remove the fibroids
Self-care for Fibroids
The following self-care actions or lifestyle changes may help in the treatment or management of Fibroids:
Healthy lifestyle: Reduces chances of formation of fibroids
Weight control: Reduces the chances of getting problem
Alternative Medicine for Treatment of Fibroids
The following alternate medicine and therapies are known to help in the treatment or management of Fibroids:
Magnet therapy: May help prevent fibroids
Black cohosh use: May help in the treatment of fibroids
Time for Treatment of Fibroids
While time-period of treatment for each patient may vary, below is the typical time-period for Fibroids to resolve if treated properly under an expert supervision: