Uterine Fibroids: Causes, Risk factors, Symptoms, Complications and Prevention

- By Dr. Mary Alphonse  @DRMARY_ALPHONSE  

What are Uterine Fibroids?

Uterine fibroids are abnormal benign growths in the uterus that can develop during a woman's childbearing years. Also called as uterine myoma or leiomyomas or fibromyoma.

These tumors can become quite large sometimes causing severe abdominal pain and heavy menstrual bleeding.

They are usually made up of muscular or fibrous tissue of the uterus and blood vessels.

They usually develop in women over 30 years of age.

What are the Types of uterine fibroids ?

Fibroids are generally classified by their location. 

Intramural fibroids grow within the muscular uterine wall. 

Submucosal fibroids bulge into the uterine cavity.

Subserosal fibroids project to the outside of the uterus are the most common fibroids which can grow large at times and sometimes have a stalk that attaches to the uterus (pedunculated fibroid).

What Causes uterine fibroids?

Research studies indicate towards a genetic component involved.

Genetic changes. Many fibroids contain changes in genes that differ from those in normal uterine muscle cells.

Hormones. Estrogen and progesterone stimulate development of the uterine lining during each menstrual cycle in preparation for pregnancy, appear to promote the growth of fibroids.

Fibroids contain more estrogen and progesterone receptors than normal uterine muscle cells do. Fibroids tend to shrink after menopause due to a decrease in hormone production.

Other growth factors. Substances that help the body maintain tissues, such as insulin-like growth factor, may affect fibroid growth.

Extracellular matrix (ECM). Makes cells stick together, like mortar between bricks is increased in fibroids and makes them fibrous.

Uterine fibroids develop from a stem cell in the smooth muscular tissue of the uterus (myometrium). A single cell divides repeatedly, eventually creating a firm, rubbery mass distinct from nearby tissue.

Who is at Risk for uterine fibroids?

Various factors can increase the risk of developing fibroids:

Age: Women aged 30 or older and up to menopause. After menopause fibroids tend to shrink if they’re present.

Family history: If a woman's mother had fibroids, her risk for fibroids increases.

Obesity: Women who are overweight are at higher risk for fibroids.

Other factors: 

• Onset of menstruation at an early age 
• Vitamin D deficiency
• Consuming a diet higher in red meat and lower in green vegetables

What are the Symptoms of uterine fibroids?

Many women who have fibroids are asymptomatic. In those that do, symptoms can be influenced by the location, size and number of fibroids.

The most common signs and symptoms of uterine fibroids include:

Menstrual irregularities: abnormal, heavy, irregular, painful menstruation, or spotting

• Heavy menstrual bleeding: heavy bleeding between or during your periods that includes blood clots
• Prolonged periods: Menstrual periods lasting more than a week

Pelvic pressure or pain

Abdominal distension and cramping

Frequent urination or incontinence

Difficulty emptying the bladder

Constipation

Low back pain or leg pains

Pain during intercourse

Difficulty getting pregnant

How are uterine fibroids Diagnosed?

Physical examination: Fibroids are most often found during a physical examination felt as a firm, irregular (often painless) lump during an abdominal or pelvic exam.

Scans for confirming a diagnosis are:

• Ultrasound: Ultrasound uses sound waves to scan for fibroids.  

• Pelvic MRI: This imaging test uses magnets and radio waves to produce images allows to gain a road map of the size, number and location of the fibroids.

What are the Complications of uterine fibroids?

• Severe health consequences are rare in fibroids. However, heavy bleeding in women can lead to anemia.

• Rarely, large fibroids can press on the bladder and the ureter leading to kidney damage. 

• Other complications include infertility and repeated pregnancy loss.

How do Fibroids affect Pregnancy?

• Fibroids usually don't interfere with getting pregnant. However, it's possible that fibroids especially submucosal fibroids could cause infertility or pregnancy loss.

• Fibroids may also raise the risk of certain pregnancy complications, such as placental abruption, fetal growth restriction and preterm delivery.

How can Uterine fibroids be Prevented?

• Making healthy lifestyle choices, such as maintaining a healthy weight and eating fresh green vegetables can decrease your fibroid risk.

• Avoid meats and high-calorie foods. Instead, opt for foods high in flavonoids, green vegetables and cold-water fish such as tuna or salmon.

• Reducing fat intake and increasing fiber intake helps to lessen the estrogen production and restore hormone balance, which may effectively combat fibroid growth.

• Incorporating more citrus fruits, red onions and leafy vegetables may also be effective against fibroid growth.

• A high-fiber diet helps improve bowel functions.

How Homeopathy helps in uterine fibroids?

• Homoeopathic remedies tend to balance the hormones, cure the fibroids and reduce heavy menstrual bleeding. 

• They are natural, effective, with no side effects and can be used even during pregnancy. There are more than 50 homoeopathic medicines for fibroids.

• Homeopathy therapeutics is based on identifying the individual as an entity and selecting the constitutional remedy according to your characteristic traits.

https://drmaryhomoeopathy.com/homeopathy