About Pedunculated Fibroid Tumors

Fibroids in medical terms are known as leiomyomata. No one knows what causes fibroid tumors. Fibroids are smooth muscle tumors of the uterus that are composed of exactly the same type of tissue that makes up the uterus. Usually, however, a fibroid is covered with another band of tissue and grows independently of the uterus. Natural and holistic health practitioners often think that fibroid tissue growth is nature's way of isolating harmful tissue in the body, as a way of protecting the body from toxins which may result from poor diet and environmental concerns like hormone treated beef, pollution, and lead exposure, that cannot be excreted from the body.

Definition

• The pedunculated type of fibroids are attached to the uterus by a stalk-type formation. They sometimes mimic ovarian tumors because of their position and location. Often they appear to look like big balls on the outside of the uterus when viewed during ultrasound or other visual technology. Sometimes, even with sophisticated imaging techniques like a CT scan or MRI it is often impossible to distinguish between this type of fibroid and an ovarian tumor or cyst.

Effects

• Women who have pedunculated fibroids often come to surgery for the simple purpose of being diagnosed. However, if the surgeon is conservative, he will only remove the fibroid, whereas, a more aggressive physician will often want to remove the ovaries and uterus as well, when this is usually not indicated or necessary.

Symptoms

• Women who have pedunculated fibroids typically have very limited symptoms. They either feel nothing at all, or if the fibroid is pressing on another internal organ, they may experience some cramping or nausea and vomiting. If the pain from the pedunculated fibroid is a sharp, the stalk formation may be twisting, and this could cause severe abdominal pain. This would be a medical and surgical emergency. If you are experiencing severe and sharp abdominal pain with any type of fibroid, do not hesitate to seek medical attention.

Features

• Small and even large pedunculated fibroids may go unnoticed for years in many women, until they have a pelvic exam or ultrasound. Chance are, your periods will remain the same, and you will not experience any pain or other symptoms. Fibroids grow dramatically during the time of perimenopause or the period of time immediately before menopause, because of the dominance of estrogen, and they will usually shrink after menopause is complete, which is kind of like the body's way of healing itself.

Treatment Options

• There are many treatment options for pedunculated fibroids, as well as other types of fibroids. First and foremost, the most popular option is to do nothing at all. A wait-and-see attitude will often suffice in dealing with pedunculated fibroids that are not causing any overt or troublesome symptoms. A dietary change or alternative approach will often help to balance the estrogen in the body, as well as enhance the energy in the pelvic region. Many of these changes can be accomplished with acupuncture, Chinese herbs, phytoestrogens such as flaxseed, dietary change, as well as estrogen balancing supplements.

Hormonal Options

• There are hormonal options that can help to counter estrogen dominance in the body, which in turn, may help to shrink pedunculated fibroids. Progesterone cream helps with the estrogen dominance, and can be applied to the skin once or twice a day, for three weeks on and then three weeks off. Birth control pills are another hormonal option which may help to regulate hormonal levels in the body, where estrogen dominance is a factor. Lupron injections act on the pituitary gland, and create a state of artificial menopause in the body, which will shrink the fibroids. Side effects include all the symptoms of menopause, like hot flashes, vaginal dryness and bone loss.

Potential

• There are also several surgical options for removing fibroids in particular, myomectomy, embolization, and finally, hysterectomy, which should be a last resort. Consult with your physician or natural health care provider to determine the best course of action for dealing with your pedunculated fibroids.