What are Uterine Fibroids?
BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery), 6 years of experience
What is the meaning of Uterine Fibroids?
Uterine fibroids or leiomyomas are non-cancerous tumors that grow in a woman’s uterus (womb). Uterine fibroids are composed of smooth muscle fibers and connective tissue similar to the uterine wall (myometrium). But, the uterine fibroids are denser than the normal myometrium. Uterine fibroids are usually round in shape and are described based on their location within the uterus. They are normally seen along the lining of the uterus, in the main cavity of the organ, or on the outer surface. They can grow as a single mass, or in a cluster and sizes can vary from 1mm to more than 8 inches in diameter. In today’s article, we will be discussing in detail Uterine Fibroid.
- What are the types of Uterine Fibroids?
- What are the causes of Uterine Fibroids?
- What are the risk factors associated with Uterine Fibroids?
- What are the symptoms of Uterine Fibroids?
- What are the tests done for Uterine Fibroids?
- What is the treatment for Uterine Fibroids?
- What is the care taken after the Uterine Fibroids treatment?
- What is the cost of Uterine Fibroids Treatment in India?
What are the types of Uterine Fibroids?
The fibroids are classified according to their location. The different types of uterine fibroids are:
- Intramural fibroids: These fibroids grow within the muscular wall of the uterus.
- Submucosal fibroids: These fibroids tend to bulge into the uterine cavity.
- Subserosal fibroids: These types of fibroids tend to project outside the uterus.
- Pedunculated fibroids: The pedunculated fibroids are located on the outside of the uterus and connected with a thin stem the uterus giving a mushroom-shaped appearance. These are the least common types of fibroids.
What are the causes of Uterine Fibroids?
The exact cause of Uterine Fibroids is not known. It is usually seen in women of reproductive age and does not occur in young girls who have not started with their menstrual cycle (periods) yet.
Some of the common causes of Uterine Fibroids, based on the clinical findings and research are:
1. Estrogen and progesterone hormones:
- The estrogen and progesterone hormones (female reproductive hormones) help in developing the lining of the uterus during each menstrual period. These hormones promote the growth of fibroids.
- The fibroids shrink after menopausal age (stopping the menstrual period) due to a decreased hormone level.
2. Changes in genetics:
- The genes in the fibroids are different as compared to the normal cells of the uterine muscles.
3. Other growth factors:
- Certain growth factors that help in the maintenance of the tissues in the body, like the insulin-like growth factor, may affect the growth of the uterine fibroids.
4. Extracellular matrix (ECM):
- Uterine fibroids are believed to develop from the stem cell in the myometrium (muscular wall of the uterus). Extracellular matrix (ECM) is a material that sticks the cells together. It also causes biological changes in the cells and stores the growth factors.
- The ECM level is increased in the case of fibroids, and also makes them more fibrous.
What are the risk factors associated with Uterine Fibroids?
Some of the risk factors for developing uterine fibroids are:
- Black women are known to be at a higher risk of developing uterine fibroids.
- Women with a family history of uterine fibroids are more likely to develop fibroids themselves.
- Obesity is another reason for developing fibroids.
- When the onset of the menstrual period is at an early age, fibroids are more likely to develop.
- Vitamin D deficiency can lead to uterine fibroids. ( Know more about- What are the benefits of Vitamin D3? )
- Alcohol consumption may increase the chances of fibroid development.
- Infertility may also lead to fibroid development.
- Delayed menopause can be a risk factor for developing fibroids.
What are the symptoms of Uterine Fibroids?
Many women with uterine fibroids have no symptoms. The symptoms of uterine fibroids depend on the location, number, and size of the fibroids.
The most common symptoms associated with Uterine Fibroids are:
- Heavy and painful bleeding
- Prolonged periods
- Spotting (bleeding) between two menstrual cycles (periods)
- Iron deficiency anemia
- Pelvic pressure
- Pelvic pain ( Know more about- Home remedies for Pelvic Pain )
- Increase in frequency of urination
- Difficulty in completely emptying the bladder
- Painful passage of stools
- Constipation
- Pain during sex
- Vaginal discharge
- Enlargement of the abdomen
- Backache
- Pain in legs (Know more about- What is Varicose vein surgery? )
- Infertility in rare cases
- Complications in pregnancy like preterm birth, blockage of the birth canal, and heavy bleeding post-delivery ( Know more about- Normal Delivery Abnormal Bleeding )
What are the tests done for Uterine Fibroids?
Uterine fibroids are diagnosed by a doctor by first performing a physical examination including a pelvic exam. The symptoms associated with fibroids may suggest a diagnosis of uterine fibroids, but, the doctor will suggest a few tests to confirm the diagnosis:
- Ultrasound: An ultrasound creates a picture of the uterus and other internal organs using sound waves.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): Magnets and radio waves are used in an MRI to produce detailed images of the internal organs.
- Saline infusion sonogram (hysterosonography): Saline is injected into the uterus to make the uterus easier to see using ultrasound in case of a hysterosonography.
- Hysteroscopy: This procedure makes use of a long, flexible, thin tube with a camera on one end to examine the inside of the vagina and the uterus. ( Know more about- What is Hysteroscopy? )
- Laparoscopy: A small cut is made in the lower abdomen and a flexible, thin tube with a camera on an end is inserted inside to look at the internal organs.
- Hysterosalpingography (HSG): A detailed X-ray in which a contrast material is injected first, followed by taking the X-rays of the uterus is known as HSG.
- Endometrial biopsy: It involves the removal of a small piece of the uterine lining to check for cancer in cases of abnormal bleeding.
What is the treatment for Uterine Fibroids?
Several methods can be used to treat uterine fibroid:
1. Waiting and observing
- In cases of mild symptoms, the doctor may suggest waiting and observing.
- Fibroids are non-cancerous and have slow growth. The doctor will periodically check the growth of the fibroids.
- Fibroids usually shrink or disappear after menopause.
2. Medications
- Medications help in curing the symptoms like bleeding and pain associated with fibroids.
- Medicines will not eliminate fibroids but will help in shrinking the fibroids.
- Oral birth control medications help in reducing the bleeding.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like acetaminophen and ibuprofen can help in relieving the pain
- Vitamins and iron supplements help in cases of heavy bleeding.
- Orianna is a hormone-based drug used to control heavy bleeding.
- Insertion of an intrauterine device (IUD) in the uterus controls heavy bleeding and prevents pregnancy.
- Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists block the estrogen and progesterone formation causing a stage of temporary menopause. This may cause fibroid shrinkage.
- Non-hormonal medications like cyklokapron and lysteda (tranexamic acid) may be taken on days of heavy bleeding to slow down the flow.
3. Surgery
In cases of moderate or severe symptoms, the following types of surgeries may be required:
- Myomectomy: Myomectomy involves the removal of fibroids leaving the healthy tissue intact. This procedure can be performed by laparoscopy or through abdominal surgery. ( Know more about- What is Myomectomy? )
- Hysterectomy: The process of complete removal of the uterus is called hysterectomy. This procedure eliminates the fibroids completely.
- Endometrial ablation: The doctor uses boiling water, electric current, laser, wire loops, or microwaves in this process to either destroy or remove the uterus lining. A woman’s periods stop after this procedure and she cannot get pregnant.
- Uterine artery embolization (UAE) or Uterine fibroid embolization (UFE): The doctor blocks the blood flow to the fibroids by the insertion of plastic or gel particles into the surrounding blood vessels leading to the shrinkage of the fibroids.
- MR-guided Focused Ultrasound for Uterine Fibroids (MRgFUS)- This is a procedure where the doctor uses ultrasonic pulses to heat up and destroy only the fibroid tissues and spare the surrounding healthy tissues. This is also known as focussed ultrasound surgery for the Uterine fibroids.
What is the care taken after the Uterine Fibroids treatment?
After the uterine fibroid treatment, the following things should be kept in mind.
- Getting checked periodically for the recurrence of fibroids is a must.
- It is mandatory to do follow-up testing.
- Pelvic exams by the doctor after the completion of the procedure are a must.
- It is important to maintain good hygiene during the menstrual periods.
- If there are any serious complications following fibroid treatment then contact your doctor immediately.
What is the cost of Uterine Fibroids Treatment in India?
The total cost of uterine fibroid treatment in India can range from around INR 2,00,000 to INR 2,50,000. Many hospitals in India provide treatment for uterine fibroids. But the cost of uterine fibroids treatment varies from one hospital to another.
If you are coming from abroad, in addition to the cost of your uterine fibroids treatment, there will be some other expenses such as hotel accommodation and local travel. Also, after surgery, the patient is kept in the hospital for a few days for recovery. So, the total cost of uterine fibroids treatment is INR 2,50,000 to INR 2,80,000.
We hope that we could answer all your questions regarding uterine fibroid through this article.
If you want to get more information about Uterine Fibroids treatments, you can contact a Gynecologist.
We only aim to give you information through the article. We do not recommend medication or treatments in any way. Only a doctor can give you the best advice and correct treatment plan.
