Uterine fibroids

Firstly, it is crucial to understand that most fibroids don’t involve any symptoms and don’t need treatment except for the frequent intervention of professional assistance. When a female is not experiencing any major symptoms, then usually it is referred to as asymptomatic fibroid. Large fibroids can involve symptoms that shouldn’t be overlooked.

Here are the uterine fibroids symptoms one needs to be mindful of:

• Painful bleeding or unnecessary bleeding during the monthly cycle.
• Experiencing bleeding during periods.
• An urge to urinate often
• Always feeling bloated and fullness feeling in the lower abdomen
• Painful sexual intercourse
• Low back pain, constipation, and chronic vaginal discharge
• Inefficiency to urinate and empty your bladder entirely Uterine fibroids symptoms usually with time go on their own or fades away once a woman goes through menopause. It happens because the hormone levels tend to decrease within a female body

According to studies and doctors, the uterine fibroids causes are unidentifiable, however here are some factors pointing to clinical experience:

• One of the causes involves genetic changes as uterine fibroids comprise gene changes varying from those that are there in the muscle cells.
• Hormones such as estrogen and progesterone involve stimulating uterine growth during every menstrual cycle in pregnancy preparation and seems to stimulate the development of fibroids.
• Other development factors are also the uterine fibroids causes. It consists of substances that are useful in maintaining the bodily tissues like insulin-like development factors as it might affect the growth of a fibroid.
• Extracellular matrix or ECM is also among the identified causes of uterine fibroids. It is a material making the cells gather together. The increase of ECM in fibroids makes them fibrous. It also involves storing the developmental factors and causing biological changes in the cells.

It is recommended to get in touch with the doctor immediately when:

• A female experiences severe pelvic pain that is not going away.
• When a woman is experiencing extremely heavy, prolonged, and painful periods.
• She goes through bleeding and spotting during her periods.
• It becomes difficult to empty the bladder.
• Lastly, the female also goes through the anaemia condition or low red blood cell count.

Hence, it is suggested to seek clinical care when a female experiences serious vaginal bleeding or severe pelvic pain suddenly.

When it comes to the uterine fibroids diagnosis, the doctor will initiate certain tests as he/she can suspect fibroids by just feeling a female uterus. The doctor always recommends females go through a pelvic exam once a year to identify such health conditions.

Here are some of the tests, the doctor may recommend for the appropriate uterine fibroid diagnosis:

• An ultrasound test is recommended so that the doctor can have a look at the uterus through images. There will be the insertion of a device in the vagina or on the abdomen to gather the images.
• Lab tests are another way to identify the uterus fibroid's condition. The doctor will order blood tests to understand the reason behind fibroids. The complete blood count or CBC can assist the doctor in assessing if a woman is suffering from anaemia or if there is any other disorder.
• Magnetic resource imaging or MRI tests are also recommended to obtain detailed pictures of fibroids. It benefits the doctor in picking the right treatment.
• A Hysterosonography test is also there that involves pushing saline into the uterine so that it becomes larger. It assists the doctor to have a look at the size of the fibroid developing into the uterus or the uterus lining.
• Hysterosalpingography will be recommended when the doctor suspects blocked fallopian tubes. The dye will be used for highlighting the fallopian tubes and uterus as it would easily allow the doctor to view the areas better.
• Hysteroscopy is also ordered to view the uterus walls and fallopian tube openings.

The uterine fibroids treatment relies on its size, location, and number of fibroids. Before moving on with any treatment, the doctor will first assess the symptoms causing the condition. If a woman is experiencing any symptoms, then the doctor will initiate treatment accordingly.

It is because there are women who don’t experience any symptoms or issues linked to fibroids. The treatment plan follows certain factors that are:

• Number of fibroids
• Fibroids size
• Location of the fibroids
• Fibroids symptoms
• When planning pregnancy
• Wish for uterine preservation

Here is the treatment for uterine fibroids options that doctors usually involve for the condition:

• Over-the-counter medications are recommended for managing uneasiness and pain. These medications usually are ibuprofen and acetaminophen.
• The doctor might give iron supplements if he/she suspects iron deficiency.
• Birth control options are also suggested as they are helpful to reduce the fibroids symptoms such as menstrual cramps, heavy bleeding during periods, etc. Different options for birth control are available such as injections, intrauterine devices, oral contraceptive pills, and intravaginal contraception.
• Gonadotropin-releasing hormone medications are also given in the form of injections, and nasal sprays. They start working by shrinking your fibroids and at times it is useful in shrinking the fibroid before surgery which makes the removal effortless for the doctor. Although, the setback of this option is that once a female stops taking them, fibroids tend to grow back.
• Oral therapies are also recommended and involve drugs like Elagolix which benefits in managing heavy uterine bleeding among females with no experience of menopause. The therapy goes on for 24 months and it is very important to consult the doctor to understand the benefits and risks associated with the therapy.
• Fibroid surgery is also recommended in severe cases that involve options like laparoscopy, hysteroscopy, and myomectomy.

There are no certain steps for uterine fibroids prevention. One can only eliminate the risk by ensuring a healthy weight and getting frequent pelvic assessments done. It is important to get in touch with your doctor on time as she/he can guide you better when it comes to preventing or controlling uterine fibroids symptoms.

Rukmani Birla Hospital, Jaipur was laid on the foundation of offering the most exceptional care to its patients. With the assistance and efforts of our team, we continue to accomplish our goal. We ensure maintaining international healthcare standards in our hospital and have also incorporated doctors who are extremely talented in their fields.

Our world-class amenities have assisted us to become one of the most advanced and wide-ranging healthcare services in the city. We have put our integrated advanced technology in the hands of prominent doctors from all over the country and set some standards in the healthcare industry. We ensure that our patients get access to quality healthcare with additional care and fewer formalities.

If you are experiencing health conditions like uterine fibroids, make sure to consult our expert gynecologists. They will put their best efforts to diagnose and offer suitable treatment.