Uterine Fibroids

Uterine fibroids   are the growth/lump   in the uterus. Fibroids   can be   inside the uterus, on the outside the uterus   or in the wall of the uterus. It is called   as the leiomyomas or myomas.

Fibroids are very common in women in their 30s and 40s but it can occur or grow at any stage of life after menarche.

What causes uterine fibroids?

Although there are multiple factors that can cause fibroids but the female hormones estrogen and progesterone seem to make them grow. Your body makes the highest levels of these hormones during the reproductive years.

What are the symptoms?

Fibroids   may be asymptomatic or the symptoms may be   related to irregular bleeding, heavy bleeding, pain during bleeding or pain lower abdomen. The other problems may be related to   pressure on the other organs like   fullness or pressure in   belly, low back pain, pain during Sex   or urge to urinate often.

Heavy bleeding during your periods can lead to anemia. Anemia can make you feel weak and tired. Sometimes fibroids can make it harder to get pregnant. Or they may cause problems during pregnancy, such as going into early labor or losing the baby (miscarriage)

How are uterine fibroids diagnosed?

Fibroids are diagnosed by history , examination & ultrasound.

Your doctor may send you to have an ultrasound or another type of test that shows pictures of your uterus. These help your doctor see how large your fibroids are and where they are growing.

Your doctor may also do blood tests to look for anemia or other problems.

TREATMENT OF FIBROIDS

All the treatments are decided on individual merits & needs. It depends upon   the symptoms, size of the fibroid, age of patient & especially the future desire for pregnancy. Small, asymptomatic Fibroids do not need treatment, a regular follow up with ultrasound is all that is needed in these patients.

In patients who have symptoms or fibroid size is   large treatment options can be myomectomy or hysterectomy.  Myomectomy can be done by hysteroscopy, laparoscopy or laparotomy   depending upon site & size of the fibroids.

Laparoscopic surgery has the advantages as mentioned in section of gynecological endoscopy.