Uterine Fibroids – Signs, Symptoms and Causes

What are fibroids ?

Fibroids are abnormal growth of the muscle of uterus known as Uterine fibroids.

It is the most common non-cancerous (benign) pelvic tumor in women.

Very rarely they may turn into a cancerous mass/tumor with chances being less than 2%.

Many a times, they are accidentally found in routine ultrasound examination or during C-sections. Most of the times the fibroids do not have symptoms hence do not require any treatment.

There many synonyms of Fibroids such as, Myomas, Leiomyomas, Fibroma, Fibromyoma, but most commonly they are referred as Fibroids.

Causes of Fibroids

The uterus is made of multiple layers of special type of muscle fibers, termed as smooth muscle cells. So, when one of these muscles shows abnormal growth due of some sort of genetic stimuli, they result in formation of small or big mass/tumor.

According to some theories, it is believed that Fibroid are estrogen hormone dependent mass. The hormones cause growth and periodic shedding of the uterine wall lining during each menstrual cycle. Due to this reason it is less common in post-menopausal or shows reduction in size of fibroid in a post-menopausal woman which may have existed previously.

They have tremendously rich blood supply hence during pregnancy when there is increased blood supply and increased estrogen levels it can grow extensively and may complicate the pregnancy.

Fibroids are seen in 20-30 % of women after the age of 35 years. If there is a history of fibroids in any of your family member, it increases your chances by 1.5-3.5 times since 40 % of fibroids show genetic predisposition (run in the family).

Risk factors of Uterine Fibroids

• Obesity

• Family history

• Age >30 years

• Pregnancy

• More common in African American – present at an early age and is more symptomatic

• Dietary factors- consumption of too much of red meat, beer or alcohol, increase your risk of developing fibroids.

What are the different types of Fibroids?

types of fibroid

• Fibroids are classified very simply according to the position of fibroid.

• The ones which occur in the wall of the uterus are called intra-mural and are the most common type.

• Submucosal fibroids are the ones which are found in the inner lining of uterus and when they project outside of uterus they are called pedunculated.

• Few fibroids are found within the outer layer of uterus are known as subserosal Fibroids.

• Few are found in the the cervix are called cervical fibroids.

What are the complications of Uterine Fibroids?

Fibroids usually don’t complicate unless they become very grows in size as the center of fibroid is not able to get enough blood supply and starts to degenerate, showing changes in its structure and may also cause increase in the pain.

Alert Signs

• Spotting or heavy bleeding between your periods

• Continuous sever pain

• Difficulty in emptying your urinary bladder

• Fainting, lightheadedness or shortness of breath – caused due to lower numbers of red blood cells (Anemia)

Dos and Don’ts for individuals at high risk

• Exercise- Fat cells increase estrogen levels hence increase the growth of the fibroid. Exercising helps in losing weight and preventing obesity.

• Eating right- Include from fiber ( vegetables, oats and dried fruits), Potassium (citrus food, bananas, avocados and cantaloupes), Green tea , turmeric and dairy products (get your vitamin D). Avoid consuming too much of sugar, red meat, soy milk/beans, tofu, falx seeds, fruit juices and junk food.

• Avoid consumption of alcohol

• Maintain your blood pressure levels- avoid too much intake of salt, exercise, and regularly check your blood pressure.

• Quit smoking