Uterine Fibroids: What You Should Know

It is said that one in every five women over the age of 30 years has a uterine
fibroid. It is one of the most common diseases of the uterus.

However, the majority of women who have fibroid masses do not know that they
have it, because most often, it causes no symptoms at all.

Some people say that uterine fibroids are not a major health concern and that it
can be left alone. Others agree that fibroids can turn into a much more
dangerous disease, and immediate surgical removal of it is necessary.

Learning the Truth about Uterine Fibroids

To uncover the myth and understand the reality about uterine fibroids, we
conducted a study among 15 women aged 30 to 40 years who have not consulted an
ob-gyn for several years.

We brought them to an ob-gyn for diagnosis and found five of them suffering from
uterine fibroids. Five fibroids were also found in different locations of the
uterus from each one of them. We thought of having them undergo immediate
surgery, but the physicians decided to observe and monitor them closely at
first.

At one time, I heard a story of a woman who experienced heavy bleeding because
of uterine fibroids. She underwent surgery and was told that the fibroids
removed were the size of marbles.

Treatment for uterine fibroids is not only determined by the size and number of
fibroids, but will also depend on their location and symptoms.

Uterine fibroids are classified into three major types according to their
location:

1. Subserosal Fibroids – fibroids that grow under the outer muscle layer of the
uterus.

2. Intramural Fibroids – fibroids that grow within the muscle layer of the
uterus.

Subserosal or intramural fibroids are fibroids that commonly cause no symptoms
unless they are very large. If bulk symptoms such as constipation, pelvic pain,
and lower back pain do appear, then you may need to seek medical attention as
soon as possible.

3. Submucosal or Intracavitary Fibroids – fibroids that grow in the central
portion of the uterus, just under the lining of the uterine cavity, or sometimes
located entirely in the cavity of the uterus.

The submucosal or intracavitary fibroids are mostly responsible for the heavy
menstrual bleeding among women suffering from uterine fibroids. As they spread
and grow larger, severe bleeding and pain may occur, which can increase the risk
of death if left untreated.

 Submucosal Uterine Fibroids Can Also Cause Infertility

The risk of infertility is quite common for women struggling with submucosal
fibroids for the following reasons:

1. They can block the fallopian tube, thereby preventing the sperm from
fertilizing the egg.

2. Large submucosal fibroids will increase the distance the sperms have to
travel as they can increase the size of the cavity of the uterus.

3. Multiple and large submucosal uterine fibroids can diminish or impair the
blood supply to the uterine arteries. In other words, the entire anatomy and
structure of the uterus will be disturbed.

What Are the Treatment Options for Uterine Fibroids?

The two common treatments for uterine fibroids are surgery and medication.

Medications, however, cannot cure uterine fibroids permanently. They can only
provide temporary relief from symptoms or reduce the size of the fibroids.

So far, surgery is considered the best treatment option especially for
submucosal uterine fibroids.

One type of surgical procedure is called "myomectomy", which is performed to
remove the fibroids via an abdominal incision.

A relatively safe procedure, known as "hysteroscopy" (surgical procedure
utilizing an endoscope), is often performed to remove the fibroids without
needing an abdominal incision.

Should the fibroids get very large, "hysterectomy" (surgical removal of the
uterus) still remains the only permanent solution for uterine fibroids.

Uterine Sarcoma – Uterine Cancer?

Rapid or unexpected growth, such as enlargement of fibroid after menopause in a
short period of time, might indicate a cancer or malignant tumor (sarcoma).

It is quite hard to differentiate a malignant uterine sarcoma from the common
uterine fibroids because they share the same symptoms. It is important to
consult your physician to determine if you're having symptoms that might be
caused by cancer in the uterus.