- Leiomyoma
- Myoma
- Uterine Myoma
- Fibroma (Healthline, 2018).
Although fibroids can occur at any age, they most commonly occur between 30 and 40 years of age (ACOG, 2020). Other risk factors for fibroids include:
- Family History - a woman with a mother who had fibroids has a 3 times greater risk of developing Fibroids.
- Race - Women of African descent are at higher risk of Fibroids than whites.
- Obesity - can increase risk as much as 2 to 3 times.
- Eating habits - lots of red meat, ham and alcohol can increase risk. Eating more green vegetables can be protective.
- Hormones - Estrogen and Progesterone may stimulate fibroid growth.
- Pregnancy - due to increased Estrogen and Progesterone production. (OWH, 2019)(Mayo, 2020)(Healthline, 2018).
It is possible to not have symptoms of Fibroids. When symptoms do occur, they can include:
- Heavy bleeding between and during menses
- Blood clots
- Pelvic pain
- Low back pain
- Increased abdominal cramping with menses
- Increased urination
- Pain during intercourse
- Longer menses
- Abdominal pressure
- Abdominal swelling
- Anemia
- Constipation
- Rectal pain
- Infertility
- Complications during pregnancy and labor (ACOG, 2020)(Mayo, 2020)(Healthline, 2018)(OWH, 2019)
At times, Fibroids may be found during a physical exam. Imaging tests can also be used to confirm Fibroids. These tests include:
- Ultrasound
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- X-ray
- Hysterosalpingogram - X-ray dye is inserted into uterus while X-rays are made
- Sonohysterogram - water is injected into uterus while ultrasound pictures are taken
- Hysteroscopy - scope is placed inside uterus
- Pelvic MRI. (OWH, 2019)(Mayo, 2020)
There are several treatments that be used with Uterine Fibroids. Things to consider when deciding on a treatment are:
- whether you are having symptoms
- if you want to become pregnant
- the location and size of fibroids
- age at time of treatment
- length of time until menopause (OWH, 2019).
There are also medications that are used to treat fibroids. These medications include:
- Ibuprofen, - pain
- Tylenol - pain
- Iron - anemia
- Low dose birth control pills - helps control bleeding
- progesterone like injections (Depo Provera) - helps control bleeding
- Mirena IUD - helps control bleeding
- GnRHa (Gonadotropin Releasing Progesterone Agonists) - shrink fibroids
Surgical options are also available to treat fibroids. These options include:
- Myomectomy - fibroids are removed through laproscopic, hysterscopic or open abdominal surgery
- Hysterectomy - uterus is removed
- Hysteroscopy - fibroids destroyed through electricity or laser
- Uterine Artery Embolization - particles are injected into arteries leading to uterus which cut off blood flow to fibroids and they shrink.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging - guided Ultrasound surgery - MRI directed where to use Ultrasound to destroy fibroids.
For more information, watch Youtube video below. Subscribe and like. Also, click follow to the right to follow blog and get updates on new articles. Also watch the second video to hear a personal experience with Uterine Fibroids.
ACOG. (2020) Uterine Fibroids. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Retrieved from https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/uterine-fibroids
Healthline. (2018) What are Fibroids. Healthline. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/uterine-fibroids#_noHeaderPrefixedContent
Mayo clinic. (2020) Uterine Fibroids. May Clinic. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/uterine-fibroids/symptoms-causes/syc-20354288
OWH. (2019) Uterine Fibroids. Office on Women's Health. Retrieved from https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/uterine-fibroids
This has a lot of great information. I wish I had this information before my experience with fibroids.
ReplyDeleteThis has excellent content. Thank you for putting this together and sharing!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much your comment. Keep checking back for more articles.
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