|  | Family Health | Womens Health

Fibroid Tumor in the Uterus

Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous tumors that grow in the uterus. They do not increase your chances of developing uterine cancer and they rarely turn cancerous. According to the Mayo Clinic, fibroids are most common during the child-bearing years and as many as three out of four women have them at some point. The majority do not experience any symptoms or need treatment. Several treatment options are available for problematic fibroids. At this time, it is not known how to prevent them.

  1. Symptoms

    • The most common symptoms of fibroid tumors include heavy menstrual bleeding, periods that last seven days or longer, pelvic pain and pressure, frequent urination, trouble emptying your bladder, constipation and leg and back pain. In rare instances, a tumor outgrows its blood supply. Without a steady supply of nutrients, it starts to die, causing acute pain and fever.

    Causes

    • The medical community has not pinpointed the exact cause but research indicates three possible causes including genetic alterations in the cells that multiply and form the mass, excess female hormones in the tissue that stimulate tumor growth, and the influence other chemicals in the body like insulin that contribute to tissue development.

    Complications

    • For the most part, fibroids will not interfere with conception and pregnancy. In rare instances, larger fibroids can damage or block the fallopian tubes or obstruct the passage of sperm from your cervix to the fallopian tube. According to the Mayo Clinic, research on risks of miscarriage, premature labor and delivery, abnormal fetal position and separation of the placenta from the wall of the uterus has provided conflicting information.

      More commonly, pregnant women with fibroids will experienced localized pain easily treated with common pain relievers.

    Medications

    • Medications act on hormonal levels to relieve symptoms or shrink the fibroids. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonists (Lupron, Synarel) lower estrogen levels, which temporarily stop menstruation and shrinks fibroids. Hormonal intrauterine devices used for birth control(IUD) can stop excessive menstrual bleeding and pain. Hormone therapy with androgens (the male hormones) can shrink fibroids and relieve menstrual bleeding but can have masculinizing effects such as acne and a deeper voice.

    Surgical Procedures

    • A myomectomy involves removing the fibroids and keeping the uterus intact. It is a good option for women to want to bear children but does not guarantee the fibroids will not return. A hysterectomy, which requires the removal of the entire uterus is the only permanent solution. It is a major surgery and will end any possibility of conception; if you choose to remove your ovaries, you will also begin menopause.

    Non-Surgical Procedures

    • Myolysis involves using a laser or electric current to destroy the tumor and shrink the blood vessel that supplies its nutrients. Endometrial ablation uses heat to destroy the uterine lining, which ends or reduces your period flow. Uterine artery embolization involves injections into the arteries connected to the uterus which terminate blood flow to the fibroids.

Womens Health - Related Articles