Uterine fibroids are thickenings (nodules) of muscle tissue on the walls of the uterus. The size of these thickenings can be from a pea to a ball. One fibroid or several may develop. It is believed that about 99% of fibroids are non-cancerous in nature. Large nodes can deform the uterus and change the position of internal organs, which greatly affects their normal functioning. Uterine fibroids are present in 20% of women over 35 years of age.
Reasons for the formation of fibroids
The appearance of nodules is associated with a change in the amount of estrogen in a woman’s body. It has been noted that estrogen replacement therapy in the postmenopausal period often leads to their formation. Hormonal birth control pills are also thought to speed up the growth of fibroids. After menopause, they gradually decrease and disappear (unless estrogen replacement therapy is used). One of the reasons for the formation of fibroids may be abortion. The information-energy formation of the developing fetus is not removed with the material formation (physical organism), it remains inside the uterus and forms fibroid.
Signs of fibroids
With uterine fibroids, the following signs are present: enlarged abdomen (with large fibroids); heavy menstruation (which can result in anemia) or bleeding in the middle of the cycle (if fibroids abut the endometrium); pain (can radiate to the back) during sexual intercourse and menstruation (the result of fibroid pressure on internal organs); frequent urination (due to fibroid pressure on the bladder); chronic constipation (due to pressure of fibroids on the rectum); infertility (due to blockage of the fallopian tubes or deformation of the uterus); inability for a woman to achieve orgasm (due to the fact that fibroid prevents uterine contractions).
Treatment of fibroids
Medicine treats only large fibroids, which cause severe bleeding and pain. A myomectomy is an operation in which the surgeon removes fibroid from the wall of the uterus, leaving the rest of the uterus in place so that the woman can have children. The operation requires cutting into the wall of the abdominal cavity. As a result of this operation, there may be complications: severe bleeding; inflammation due to a wound; infections; damage to blood vessels, nerves, bladder or intestines. In some cases, the entire uterus may need to be removed (hysterectomy). This decision is made if the fibroids are large, grow quickly and cause severe symptoms, and also if the woman no longer wants to have children.
Small fibroids are treated with conservative methods, such as medications, which reduce the size of the nodes and improve symptoms such as pain and bleeding. In some cases, the use of hormonal birth control pills may also be recommended, which help reduce the amount of estrogen in the body. However, these methods cannot completely get rid of fibroids and may have side effects.
Some women choose alternative treatments such as herbs and nutritional supplements. However, these methods have not been scientifically proven to be effective, and they may have side effects or interact with other medications.
In general, treatment for fibroids depends on their size, number, symptoms, the woman's age and her desire to have children. If you have symptoms of fibroids, you should see a doctor for a diagnosis and determine the best treatment option.