Fibroids - Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

Fibroids are the most common non-cancerous tumorsSudden, severe pain due to a pedunculated fibroid
in women of childbearing age. Fibroids are made ofThe most common symptom is prolonged and heavy
muscle cells and other tissues that grow in and aroundbleeding during menstruation. This is caused by fibroid
the wall of the uterus, or womb. The cause of fibroidsgrowth bordering the uterine cavity. In severe cases,
is unknown. Risk factors include beingheavy bleeding may last as long as 2 weeks. Fibroids
African-American or being overweight.rarely bleed between periods, except in a few cases
Fibroids Causesof very large fibroids.
Fibroids are most common in women aged 30-40Fibroids Diagnosis
years, but they can occur at any age. Fibroids occurDiagnosis is usually accomplished by bimanual
more often in black women than in white women.examination, better yet by gynecologic
They also seem to occur at a younger age in blackultrasonography, commonly known as "ultrasound."
women and grow more quickly.Sonography will depict the fibroids as focal masses
Never having given birth to a child (called nulliparity)with a heterogeneous texture, which usually cause
Onset of your period prior to age 10shadowing of the ultrasound beam. In cases where a
African American heritage (occurring 3-9 times moremore precise assay of the fibroid burden of the uterus
often than in Caucasian women)is needed, also magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can
Obesity is associated with the presence of uterinebe used to definite the depiction of the size and
fibroids. (Of course, which came first -- the weight orlocation of the fibroids within the uterus.
the fibroids -- is still an unanswered question.)How are fibroids treated?
Consumption of beef, red meat (other than beef), andThere are many treatments for women with fibroids.
ham has been associated with the presence of uterineMedicine can shrink some fibroids. Some women need
fibroids.surgery. A new way to treat women with fibroids is
Fibroid Symptomscalled uterine fibroid embolization.
Most fibroids don't cause symptoms-only 10 to 20Androgens. Your ovaries and your adrenal glands,
percent of women who have fibroids requirelocated above your kidneys, produce androgens, the
treatment. Depending on size, location and number ofso-called male hormones. Given as medical therapy,
fibroids, they may cause:androgens can relieve fibroid symptoms.
Heavy, prolonged menstrual periods and unusualVaginal, or hysteroscopic, myomectomy. Performed
monthly bleeding, sometimes with clots. This can leadthrough the vagina and cervix, this procedure uses an
to anemia.instrument called a resectoscope, which allows
Pelvic pain and pressuresurgeons to view the uterine fibroids through a small
Pain in the back and legsfiber optic device. The surgeons are able to shave off
Heavy menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia), sometimesthe fibroid growths using a hot electrified wire. This
with the passage of blood clotstechnique is used on small submucous uterine fibroids.