About Uterine Fibroid Pain

Uterine fibroids are benign tumors that grow in the wall of the uterus. In the beginning they are small bumps but can grow as large as small watermelons. Submucosal fibroids develop inside the uterus and cause painful periods of bleeding. Intramural fibroids grow within the uterine wall and subserosal fibroids grow outside the uterus. They cause pelvic pressure, lower abdominal bulging, frequent urination and back pain.

Causes

• The exact cause or trigger of uterine fibroids is unknown. Evidence points to the beginning development of fibroids as a single cell aggressively reproducing itself. Afterwards the female sex hormone estrogen stimulates the building of a tumor.

Symptoms

• Symptoms of uterine fibroids include heavy menstrual periods, excessive menstrual cramps, bleeding between menstrual cycles and pelvic pain. Frequent urination, backaches and discomfort during sexual intercourse are other symptoms. Uterine fibroids can cause infertility. This happens if the tumor forms in a spot where it blocks the fallopian tubes. Fibroids can also distort the uterine cavity so that it interferes with the implantation of an embryo.

Prevention

• Uterine fibroids can not be prevented since the cause is not known. Eat a healthy balanced diet and exercise regularly to ward off complications.

Diagnosis

• A care provider can diagnose uterine fibroids. He will ask about your symptoms and perform a pelvic exam. Imaging tests such as ultrasounds can determine the location and size of the fibroid. Blood tests are used to measure female hormone levels and look for anemia. Anemia can be caused by uterine fibroids due to excessive menstrual bleeding. Endometrial biopsy is performed to distinguish if the excessive bleeding is from the uterine fibroids or from other medical conditions. The biopsy takes a small sample of cells from the uterine lining and examines them for abnormalities.

Treatment

• Monitoring is the option used for uterine fibroids that show no symptoms. Birth control pills and gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists will help decrease symptoms. Myomectomy is the surgical removal of the uterine fibroid. With a myomectomy you can still become pregnant. Other surgical treatments make pregnancy an unrealistic option. Uterine artery embolization is where the surgeon blocks the blood flow to the fibroid to shrink it. Endometrial ablation is where the uterine lining is completely removed. The only complete cure is by removing the uterus with a hysterectomy.