Uterine Fibroids – a Nuisance to a Quarter of Women!

Uterine fibroids are a serious gynecological problem that affects a quarter of women in their 30s and 40s.

About uterine fibroids

Uterine tumours are the most common benign tumours in a woman’s uterus . They can appear inside the uterus , outside the uterus or in the muscular wall of the uterus. Tumours are non-cancerous growths, although in some cases, they may cause quite a lot of troubles, such as heavier periods, lower abdominal pains and frequent urination. They may develop as a single nodule or may grow in clusters. They very often appear in women aged between 30 and 40 and affect 25% of them. In the USA, are the main cause of hysterectomy (removal of the uterus). They are made up of muscle tissue, so the term ‘tumour’ is slightly misleading.

Reasons for their development are unknown

Doctors aren’t quite certain what the main reason is for the development of tumours, but they are influenced by the female hormones estrogen and progesterone that are most intensely released during periods. The latter is also the cause of painful menstrual cramps. Naturally, these two hormones are most present at the age when a woman still has her periods and during the menopause, but after the menopause, the production of the two hormones slows down a little bit. Accordingly, tumours in the shrink and stop causing problems. Tumours may be very small or may grow up to an ounce or more (0.5 kg). They develop very slowly and to some extent, women are genetically predisposed to have uterine tumors. Their development is influenced by factors such as obesity and the occurrence of the first period before the age of 10. Women who didn’t have childbirth are also prone to the development of tumours.

What are the symptoms of fibroid tumours?

Tumours often don’t cause any symptoms or the symptoms develop in a very mild form, for instance, as a slightly heavier period. Tumours are detected in a gynaecological examination. However, sometimes the symptoms can be more conspicuous. They can be manifested in the form of an excessively heavier bleeding during a period (menorraghia), sometimes accompanied by a thick mass of blood. In some cases, tumours also cause abnormalities in passing urine, either passing urine more frequently or being unable to urinate. Sometimes the pressures on the rectum can also cause constipation and pains in the lower abdomen are a very common symptom as well. You may also feel pain the lower back and your hip size may increase because of which you need to wear more comfortable clothes. Sometimes tumours also make it more difficult to get pregnant or these problems arise during pregnancy (premature birth and miscarriage).

Treatment for uterine fibroids

If tumours don’t cause any problems, you don’t need to do anything about them. Your gynaecologist will regularly monitor their growth in routine gynaecological examinations. If you have heavy periods or menstrual cramps, you can alleviate these problems with appropriate methods. If you have serious problems, it is recommended that you consult your doctor. You can undergo two main operations to treat uterine fibroids. The first one is called myomectomy, which is recommended by doctors if you still want to have children and keep your womb, and the second one is hysterectomy where your womb is removed. There are also several other methods. Namely, your doctor can also easily decrease the size of uterine fibroids in a non-surgical treatment. Your treatment therefore depends on the symptoms, location and size of tumours, your desire to have children, the health of your genitals and your age.

How to help yourself at home?

When tumours cause heavy and painful periods, it is best that you put hot compresses on the lower abdomen and back and rest with your legs bent. Use sanitary towels instead of tampons. In the case of other symptoms, it is recommended that you talk to your doctor.

Read more about gynecological problems in the Encyclopedia of Sexuality.