It is vital for every woman to care about her reproductive health. Uterus is shaped like a pear but its shape keeps changing according to phase in a woman’s life. The most common ailment that afflicts the uterus is fibroid. This affects women of child bearing age only. Many women may have it but not know untill it is diagnosed.
A fibroid is a single or multiple tumour. It is usually benign meaning non cancerous in nature. It is hard to diagnose as its growth is very slow. You may have it but may not know that you have it. There may be no symptoms at all. It becomes prominent when one notices these signs like;
Heavy bleeding- In your periods it is normal to bleed. But when it becomes too heavy and consistent. It might be a sign of fibroid.
Frequent urination- It is uncommon to have urination many times a day. This might happen in case of fibroid uterus .
Feeling of lump in abdomen .
Spotting- When one has spotting in between periods.
There is no particular reason for fibroid but some of these have played a key role in its development. The most common causes of Fibroids are:
Obesity- If a person’s BMI is over 25 the risk of fibroid escalates tremendously.
Heredity- If your mother or sister has it. There are chances that you too may have it. It runs in the family and there is 1 in 4 chance that you too may have it.
Early menstruation- The normal age for periods is 13 but if someone has it before this age. The risk of fibroid development increases.
Mostly women would ignore these signs. But if it keeps on happening one needs to consult a gynecologist. When you visit a Doctor, they will ask you questions and check your family history. A doctor may also conduct an ultrasound for confirmation Fibroid development.
An ultrasound sends out sound waves and these waves help in locating the fibroid tumour. Once the presence of fibroid has been confirmed. It is possible to cure it. The treatment for fibroid has been effective in shrinking the fibroid if not removing it.
The most common line for treatments are;
Observation- most of the asympotomatic fibroids- do not need any treatment, just observation and Ultrasound every 6 months or yearly.
- Levonorgestral IUD or Mirena - The use of Mirena can lessen symptoms like heavy bleeding. Although it may not lessen the size of fibroid.
Medical methods- GnRH agonists- they induces temporary menopause like phase, as a result menstruation stops, fibroids shrink and anaemia improves.
Hysteroscopic myomectomy- according to the type of fibroids- if the fibroid is located inside the uterine cavity, it can be treated by hysteroscopy . Hence no cut on abdomen and fast recovery.
Laparoscopic surgery- This comes into picture when no medication works. In this fibroid is removed fully. A surgeon removes it by viewing the fibroid on the screen. This is beneficial as recovery time is quicker than a traditional surgery.
Abdominal myomectomy- sometimes depending upon size and MRI findings doctor can suggest open or traditional surgery too.
Fibroid doesn’t mean you are not normal. One just needs a good treatment.