What are Fibroids?

Fibroids or leiomyoma are typically non-cancerous tumors that develop in a uterus. Fibroids can be as small as pea or as large a melon. There is no known cause for fibroids but it is believed that they are affected by hormones.

Types of Fibroids?

  • Intramural: Within the muscular walls of the uterus and typically can cause heavy bleeding or pressure symptoms.

  • Submucosal: Either inside or abutting the uterine cavity and typically cause heavy bleeding (least common type).

  • Subserosal: Outer wall of the uterus and typically cause bulk or pressure symptoms.

  • Pedunculated: Fibroids on a thin stalk (less common).

  • Heavy menstrual cycles

  • Pelvic Pressure

  • Constipation/Back Pain

  • Pain During Intercourse

  • Fatigue

  • Frequent Urination

“It is estimated that 70-80% of women will develop fibroids in their lifetime. They usually become prevalent during child bearing years. And fibroids can spontaneously grow or regress.”

Risk Factors.

 

Obesity

Overweight women have been shown to have a higher risk of fibroids.

 

Age

Women in their child-bearing years without children seem to have a higher probability of developing fibroids.

Family history of fibroids

Fibroids tend to run in the family. Be sure to check your family history to understand if you’re likely to develop fibroids.

 

Ethnic origin

Women of African descent tend to develop fibroids at a slightly higher rate than women of other ethnic backgrounds.

Not having children

There is a higher correlation of fibroids and women who do not have children.

 

Vitamin D deficiency/

insufficiency

Vitamin D deficiency has been correlated with fibroids development.

Early onset of menstruation

Girls who begin their menstral cycle at an early have been shown to have a higher risk of fibroids.

 

Late age for menopause

Fibroids tend to be affected by hormones especially estrogen so late age menopause can lead to a higher probability of fibroids.

Treatment Options

Birth Control

The practice of using artificial methods to avoid becoming pregnant when having sex.

 

Pain Medication

Medications that assist in pain control or as a pain killer.

 
 

Endometrial Ablation

Endometrial Ablation is a procedure to remove a thin layer of tissue that lines the uterus. This procedure is can help to alleviate or stop heavy menstrual bleeding. Women who plan to have children in the future should not have this procedure.

 
 
 

GnRH antagonists

GnRH antagonist is substance that blocks the pituitary gland from making hormones called follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH).

GnRHa (gonadotropin releasing hormone agonists)

Gonadotropin releasing hormone agonists (GnRH) are a type of medication that suppresses ovulation by stopping the production of estrogen and progesterone.

 

Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE), or Uterine Artery Embolization (UAE)

UFE is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat fibroid tumors it uses a form of real-time x-ray called fluoroscopy to guide the delivery of embolic agents to the uterus and fibroids. These agents block the arteries that provide blood to the fibroids and cause them to shrink.

 
 

Hysterectomy

A hysterectomy is a medical operation to remove a woman's womb / uterus.

 
 
 

Myomectomy

A myomectory is a surgical procedure to remove uterine fibroids.

Myolysis

Myolysis is the process of removing the muscle fiber that fibroids are made of.

 

Sonata

Sonata uses a handpiece with a miniature high-resolution ultrasound tip that allows the doctor to see the fibroids from inside the uterus and then treat each fibroid with a process called an “ablation.”

 
 

Acessa

Acessa is a minimally invasive, same-day, outpatient procedure that shrinks fibroids.

 
 
 

171+ million worldwide are suffering with fibroids

— Quote Source