Living Your Best Life
With Fibroids Is Possible
All About Fibroid
What Are Uterine Fibroid?
Uterine fibroids are benign (non-cancer) growths that develop from the muscle tissue of the Uterus. They also are called leiomyomas or myomas.
Types Of Fibroid
There are 4 major types of Fibroids (on the basis of location in Uterus). Fibroids can range in size from small pea-sized growths to large round ones that may be more than 5 to 6 inches wide.
Subserosal
Develops on the
outer uterine wall
Submucosal
Develops under the
lining of the uterus
Intramural
Develops within
the uterine wall
Pedunculated
Grows on stalk into
the uterine cavity
Symptoms of Fibroids
Fibroids may have the following symptoms:
Heavy
Menstrual Periods
Menstrual Periods Lasting
More Than A Week
Pelvic &
Abdominal Pain
Frequent Urination
Difficulty Emptying
The Bladder
Constipation
Backache
Or Leg Pains
Medication & Tips
How Are Fibroids Diagnosed?
Fibroids are most often found during a routine pelvic exam. During this exam, your health care provider will press on your abdomen and may feel a firm, irregular mass that might indicate a fibroid.
To diagnose uterine fibroids, your doctor may order one of the following tests:
Routine Pelvic Exam
Ultrasound
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Fibroids are frequently found incidentally during a routine pelvic exam. The Doctor may feel irregularities in the shape of your uterus, suggesting the presence of Fibroids
A procedure during which a small instrument, called a transducer, is either inserted into the vagina or pressed over the abdomen to produce pictures of the internal organs using sound waves. The doctor can see the size, shape and texture of the uterus and evaluate any growths.
This is a form of advanced imaging technology that provides highly detailed images of internal organs. These images help your provider determine the exact location and characteristics of fibroids and, if needed, plan minimally invasive treatments.
This is a type of X-ray exam of the uterus and fallopian tubes. Your doctor will use a special dye to more easily visualize these organs and determine if the fibroids have blocked your fallopian tubes.
This is a visual exam of the canal of the cervix and the interior of the uterus using a viewing instrument (hysteroscope) inserted through the vagina.
Deciding on a Treatment Plan
Things to consider when deciding your treatment plan
Medical Management Options To Treat Uterine Fibroids
The Medical line of management is best for patients in reproductive age group with small size fibroid and who desire for future fertility. In medical line of management, Mifepristone have better outcomes. Medical treatments are considered the first-line treatment to preserve fertility and avoid or delay surgery.
The medical management options are divided into Hormonal and Non-Hormonal class.
Hormone therapy for uterine fibroids targets hormones that regulate your menstrual cycle. Doing so treats symptoms, such as heavy menstrual bleeding and pelvic pressure and reduces fibroid size. Hormonal treatment includes SPRM, GnRH
The Non Hormonal therapies like NSAIDS & Tranexamic acid can help reduce symptoms. These medications do not shrink fibroids and should not be used at high doses for prolonged periods of time.
Types Of Surgery To Treat Fibroids
It is the surgical removal of fibroids while leaving the uterus in place. Patient will be able to have children after a myomectomy.
It decreases blood flow to fibroids, causing them to shrink and relieving symptoms.
Hysterectomy is an open surgery in which entire uterus is removed. Patient are no longer able to have children after having a hysterectomy.
Questions to Ask Your Health Care Provide
- How do I know if what I am experiencing is fibroids?
- Do I need to have an ultrasound, MRI, or another procedure to diagnose what is going on with my body?
- What other conditions cause similar symptoms?
- What medical treatment options are available?
- What kind of surgical options are available?
- What are the risks and benefits of each treatment you have proposed?
- Which treatment option(s) or plan do you recommend that I try first? Why?
- Are there any helpful strategies or practices I can do at home to assist with managing my symptoms?
- Can you provide me with additional resources to learn more about fibroids?
- How many fibroids do I have, how big are they, and where are they located? (If you’ve already undergone procedures to determine this.)
- What are the chances of fibroids returning after treatment?
- What alternative or complementary treatments (e.g., acupuncture, yoga) might be worth trying? What dietary suggestions can you offer to help with my symptoms?
- How might fibroids and the treatments affect my fertility?
- How often do I need follow-up visits?
Diet & Yoga
Wellness Tips for Uterine Fibroids
Here are some strategies to help you maintain an active and healthy lifestyle along your journey with fibroids
Healthy Diet
Regular Exercise
Stress Management
Sexual Health
Support System
Travel Preparedness
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
No, fibroids do not turn into cancer
Small- or medium-sized fibroids that don’t cause symptoms are unlikely to pose a significant risk to pregnancy. However, fibroids may grow larger during pregnancy because of higher hormone levels and increased blood flow to the uterus. Fibroid growth may cause discomfort, feelings of pressure or pain.
- Submucosal fibroids inside the open space in the uterus (uterine cavity)
- Very large Intramural fibroids
It is not clear what causes fibroids. Some research suggests that the female hormones estrogen and progesterone appear to be involved in their growth.
Fibroids that do not cause symptoms, are small, or occur in a woman who is nearing menopause often do not require treatment. Symptomatic Fibroids needs treatment.
Yes, there are medications available to treat the symptoms of Fibroids and to reduce the size of Fibroids.
If your fibroid symptoms are not controlled from medications or other forms of treatment, surgery to remove growths may be helpful.
Yes, Fibroids sometimes come back after treatment.