For a number of days every month, you most likely expect those familiar period cramps and pains to creep in. Up to now, a heating pad and an over-the-counter pain reliever can have helped you get through the worst of it. But recently you’ve noticed your periods have develop into more painful – or perhaps a feeling of pelvic pressure or fullness throughout your menstural cycle. You may have noticed your periods have gotten heavier, too.
What’s occurring? One possibility is the expansion of a uterine fibroid.
Uterine fibroids are quite common. Actually, thousands and thousands of girls walk around with uterine fibroids day by day and may not realize it. But in case your periods appear to have gotten more painful and heavier, it may very well be an indication of an underlying condition.
Read on to learn more about what uterine fibroids are, what causes them, common symptoms and signs, how they’re diagnosed and more.
What are uterine fibroids?
Uterine fibroids are noncancerous growths that develop within the uterus, most frequently during reproductive years – often in your 20s or 30s. Also called leiomyomas or myomas, uterine fibroids grow on the partitions of the uterus and can range in size from 1 / 4 of an inch to the dimensions of a melon.
How do uterine fibroids grow?
Fibroid growth is linked to increased hormone levels, specifically estrogen and progesterone. That is why fibroids are most typical during female reproductive years when these hormones are in greater supply within the body.
Varieties of uterine fibroids and where they grow within the uterus
There are three primary kinds of uterine fibroids.
Intramural fibroids
Intramural fibroids grow between the muscles of the uterus. They’ll grow within the front of the uterus (anterior intramural fibroid), the back of the uterus (posterior intramural fibroid), and the upper a part of the uterus (fundal intramural fibroid.) Though it’s not as common, this kind of fibroid can affect fertility and viability of a pregnancy depending on the dimensions and location.
Subserosal fibroids
Subserosal fibroids grow on the skin, or the outer wall, of the uterus. They could be attached to the uterine wall directly or attached to the uterus by a skinny connective tissue. If this kind of fibroid is attached by a skinny tissue, they’re classified as a pedunculated subserosal fibroid.
Submucosal fibroids
Submucosal fibroids grow on the inner lining of the uterus, which known as the endometrium. That is the a part of the uterus that thickens and sheds during a menstrual cycle. This can also be the a part of the uterus where an embryo would implant for pregnancy. So of all of the fibroids types, submucosal fibroids are the probably to cause heavy bleeding, or trouble getting or staying pregnant.
Submucosal fibroids can be pendulated, hanging from a stalk contained in the uterus.
The differences between uterine polyps and fibroids
Polyps and fibroids are each growths positioned within the uterus, but they’re made up of various kinds of tissue. Uterine fibroids are product of the dense, connective fibrous tissue from smooth muscle. Polyps are made up of the identical tissue because the inner lining of the uterine wall.
Some polyps can become cancer over a few years while uterine fibroids are rarely cancerous. Also, uterine polyps are typically present in women approaching menopause while uterine fibroids are most typical during menstruating years.
Common symptoms of uterine fibroids
Many ladies who’ve uterine fibroids don’t have any symptoms. But for many who do, their symptoms can range in severity and are influenced by the situation, size and variety of fibroids.
Among the most typical symptoms of uterine fibroids are:
What does it feel like when you’ve got fibroids?
Uterine fibroids feel different for everybody depending on the situation, size and variety of fibroids. Some women will feel no symptoms, while others will feel mild to moderate discomfort. And still others may feel heaviness or pressure of their lower abdomen or pelvis, often accompanied by discomfort that makes it difficult to face, lie face down or exercise without noticing it.
In the event you’re concerned about any symptoms you’re experiencing, the very best first step is to see a primary care doctor or a women’s health specialist like an OB-GYN.
We’re learning more in regards to the causes of uterine fibroids
While it’s not yet fully known what causes uterine fibroids, research has shown that they could form from stem cells present in the sleek muscle. There are two primary aspects:
- Hormones – Estrogen and progesterone, two hormones that stimulate the expansion of the uterine wall through the menstrual cycle and help support pregnancy, have been linked to fibroid growth.
- Genetics – Genetics appears to play a task in whether someone develops fibroids. It’s possible you’ll be genetically predisposed to developing fibroids due to your loved ones history.
Uterine fibroids and pregnancy
In lots of cases, uterine fibroids don’t interfere with an individual’s ability to develop into pregnant. But as we mentioned earlier, it’s possible that they could lead on to infertility or pregnancy loss, especially submucosal fibroids, as they’re attached to the inner lining of the uterus and may cause excess bleeding. Uterine fibroids can also increase the danger of developing certain pregnancy complications like placental abruption, fetal growth restriction and preterm delivery.
Uterine fibroids after menopause
Uterine fibroids are most typical in women during their childbearing years. But in very rare circumstances, uterine fibroids can proceed to develop in women experiencing menopause, especially in the event that they are undergoing hormone therapy to take care of their estrogen and progesterone levels. In the event you’re experiencing the fibroid-related symptoms mentioned above, it’s best to talk along with your primary care doctor or clinician, or your OB-GYN.
How are uterine fibroids diagnosed?
Whether you’re experiencing symptoms or not, uterine fibroids could also be found by a primary care doctor, OB-GYN or one other women’s health specialist during a routine pelvic exam. During a pelvic exam a clinician can sometimes feel the dimensions or shape of the uterus is irregular.
In case your doctor believes you’ve got fibroids, there are several tests and exams they’ll order to verify a diagnosis:
- Ultrasound – During a uterine fibroid ultrasound, a technician will place a tool either within your vagina or along your abdomen to get images that your doctor can review to know the dimensions and location of the fibroids.
- MRI – A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test could be performed after an ultrasound in case your doctor needs more detailed images of the fibroids to find out the very best possible treatment. It’s possible you’ll also need an MRI if you’ve got a big uterus or are near menopause.
- Hysterosonography – In the event you are attempting to get pregnant or are experiencing heavy menstrual bleeding, your doctor may recommend a hysterosonography. During this process, saline is inserted into your uterine cavity to enlarge it, allowing your doctors and technicians to more easily see where the fibroids are growing.
- Hysterosalpingography – During a hysterosalpingography, dye is used to spotlight your uterus and fallopian tubes on an X-ray. It might be performed in case your doctor believes that your uterine fibroids have caused blockage in your fallopian tubes.
- Hysteroscopy – Just like a hysterosonography test, saline is used to expand your uterine cavity, allowing your doctor to insert a small telescope into your cervix to know the extent of fibroids on the partitions of your uterus and fallopian tube opening.
Are uterine fibroids serious?
Generally speaking, uterine fibroids aren’t dangerous for most individuals. But for some, they may cause discomfort and have a big effect on the standard of life. In some cases, they may also result in complications, similar to excessive blood loss and anemia that will require a blood transfusion. As we mentioned earlier, it’s very rare that uterine fibroids are cancerous.
Do uterine fibroids go away on their very own?
Uterine fibroids can go away on their very own, but it surely’s relatively rare. In these instances, the blood supply to the fibroid will inexplicably get cut off, and the expansion will shrink in consequence. For instance, should you develop uterine fibroids while pregnant, they’ll shrink and disappear after giving birth. Other fibroids may regress during menopause, but this isn’t at all times the case.
Do uterine fibroids should be removed?
Since they’re benign growths, fibroids that aren’t causing any issues don’t should be removed straight away or possibly in any respect. It’s not unusual for people to live with uterine fibroids for years because they’re in a position to manage their symptoms. This known as watchful waiting.
But when uterine fibroids are causing excessive period pain or bleeding, pelvic discomfort or other issues, they should be removed to resolve symptoms.
It’s necessary to know that uterine fibroids can proceed to grow in size. It’s also possible that more fibroids may develop. This implies symptoms can develop into more severe or serious for some people. For instance, bleeding may develop into even heavier or any associated cramping might develop into more uncomfortable or painful. Other conditions like anemia may also develop.
So, it’s necessary to take heed to your body and seek care if you notice a rise in symptoms or their severity. Luckily, there are a selection of uterine fibroid treatment options to alleviate short- and long-term symptoms.
Confer with a health care provider about your uterine fibroid symptoms
In the event you’re experiencing symptoms like excessive or painful bleeding during times, bleeding between periods, or pelvic pressure or discomfort, make an appointment along with your primary care doctor or women’s health specialist. They’ll review your medical history, take heed to your symptoms and may perform a pelvic exam or other tests to find out if a fibroid would be the explanation for your symptoms.