By Dr. Shaivalini Kamarapu, Obstetrics
Fibroids are the most commonly found tumors in a female’s reproductive system. Fibroids, otherwise called uterine myomas, leiomyomas, or fibromas, are hard and small tumors that are made of smooth muscle cells and stringy connective tissue that form in the uterus.
While it is not obviously known what causes fibroids, it is believed that every tumour is created by a variant muscle cell in the uterus, which duplicates quickly due to the impact of excess estrogen.
The following are the most widely recognized symptoms of uterine fibroids. In each case, every individual may encounter these symptoms in an unexpected way. These are:
• Extreme or delayed menstrual periods
• Strange bleeding between two menstruation cycles
• Pelvic pain
• Frequent urination
• Low back pain
• Pain during intercourse
• A firm mass or a lump, situated close to the center of the pelvis, which can be felt by the doctor
From time to time, the delayed menstrual periods, or the irregular seeping between periods, can lead to iron-deficiency, which additionally requires treatment. In ladies whose fibroids are huge or are bringing on huge side effects, treatment is important. The course of treatment will be based on:
• Your general wellbeing and therapeutic history
• Degree of the sickness
• Your resistance to particular drugs, methodology, or treatments
• Your conclusion or inclination
• Your yearning for pregnancy
All in all, treatment for fibroids may include:
- Hysterectomy – Hysterectomies include the surgical evacuation of the whole uterus. Fibroids remain the main reason behind hysterectomies.
- Traditionalist surgical treatment – Moderate surgical treatment uses a strategy called a myomectomy. With this approach, doctors will evacuate the fibroids, yet leave the uterus in place to empower a future pregnancy. This surgery depends on whether the woman wishes to have a baby in the future or not. Once done, the effects cannot be reversed.
- Gonadotropin-discharging hormone agonists (GnRH agonists) – This approach brings down levels of estrogen and triggers a “therapeutic menopause.” Sometimes GnRH agonists are used to burn down the fibroid, making surgical treatment less demanding.
- Hostility to hormonal operators – Certain medications attack estrogen, (for example, Progestin and Danazol), seem important in treating fibroids. These are hostile to progestins, which obstruct the activity of progesterone and are usually utilized.
- Uterine track embolization – Otherwise called uterine fibroid embolization, this is a more up to date, highly non-intrusive system. No cuts need to be made on the body for this procedure. The courses providing blood to the fibroids are first distinguished from each other. They are then embolized (closed off). The embolization stops the blood supply to the fibroids, thereby contracting them. The specialist keeps on evaluating the long term implications of this technique on the successful removal and regrowth of the fibroid tissue.
- Calming painkillers – This kind of medication is regularly successful for women who encounter pelvic pain or uneasiness.