What can we say about fibroid?
Fibroids are benign and non-cancerous tumors that can develop in the uterus or reproductive tract. Sometimes,they may cause severe complications.
According to statistics,60 to 90 percent of women are likely to have it in their lifetime. Fibroids grow at different rates as some will have symptoms of one while another may have multiple myomas and at the same time ranges in sizes.
Though the main cause is yet to be unraveled but these factors are likely to contribute to its development.
Pregnancy can be a contributing factor. And one may ask how can this be? There is always the higher secretion of oestrogen and progesterone during pregnancy. This may be a fertile ground for the rapid development of fibroids.
If fibroid is recorded in your family history, then you are likely to have myoima.
Hormones like estrogen and progesterone produced in the ovaries regenerate the uterine lining and so can enhance the formation of fibroids.
Types of fibroids
Some fibroids may have severe complications and effect on pregnancy and fertility depending on the location in or on the uterus and so knowing the types will go a long way to proffer solution because it is said that "problem known is half solved."
Submucosal Fibroids.
These type of fibroids are not common. They grow and bulge into the uterus. They are the most complicating when it comes to pregnancy or fertility and requires careful attention by a gynaecologist.
Intramural Fibroids.
They are the commonest of the fibroids. They develop within the muscular walls of the uterus and have the ability of stretching the womb when bigger.
Subserosal Fibroids.
These tumors grow outside the uterus. Your womb may appear bigger on one side if they grow larger than normal.
When they form stems which enables them to get fixed to the tumor,it is called a pendunculated fibroid.
Symptoms to look out for.
Size, location and the number of tumors in the uterus will go along way in discovering the symptoms of Fibroids. Some of the symptoms include:
¶ Heavy flow in between periods
¶ Increase in Abdominal cramps during menstruation
¶ Lower back pain
¶ Conception may be difficult
¶ Swelling of the abdomen
¶ Painful sex
The effects of fibroid on pregnancy
Research has it that about 10 to 30 percent of pregnant women with myomas are at risk of complications. This maybe because of the estrogen and progesterone which are highly secreted during pregnancy. One of the common complications is pain during pregnancy especially those whose fibroids are larger than five centimeters at their last two trimester. More or the risks are:
• Preterm Delivery
This is said to be an early delivery caused by contractions in the uterus as a result of myomas.
• Miscarriage
There is a report of great increase in miscarriage rate for pregnant women with fibroids. At higher risk for multiple myomas than one.
• Caeseran Delivery
It has been estimated that pregnant women with fibroids undergo Caeseran section for safe delivery than those who don't have tumor growths.
• Fetal Restriction.
The foetus will not be allowed to grow well as a result of the presence of large fibroids in the same uterine room. When there are no fibroids,the foetus will develop fully at ease. Rarely, large fibroids can compress and distort the intrauterine cavity leading to fetal deformities
• Placenta Abruption.
A data collection suggests that women with fibroids have high risk of placenta abruption especially those with Submucosal and fibroid volumes. Reduction in blood flow,vital nutrients and oxygen to the fibroid as a result of blockage may cause a placenta to break away from the wall of the uterus.
Possible effects of fibroids on fertility
Fibroids contribute largely to infertility. This depends on the location,size and their numbers in the uterus. It can cause a change in the cervical shape, uterus shape and can block fallopian tube.
Tests for Uterine Fibroids
There are many tests for the diagnosis of uterine fibroid. This is pertinent for the knowledge of the size, volume, and number of this benign tumors in your uterus and how to go about it. The mentioned factors will help the specialist know the kind of surgery or remedy for it. Calmly go through these tests.
• Ultrasound
In this kind of scan,the image of your uterus is projected on the screen using high frequency sound wave. It's a quick and simple scan for the probing of the uterus. It requires a skilled technician for an accurate result.
• MRI
This is a scan for thorough probing of the uterus using radio waves and magnets to produce images especially when there is a look out for adenomyosis which is most times misdiagnosed. It helps to distinguish between adenomyosis and fibroid. It is used as a confirmatory diagnosis for the determination of the best treatment.
Additional tests that may be needed for very critical fibroid issues include
• Histerosalpingogram ( HSG)
Here, a catheter is placed in the uterus and then for contrast of the images of fibroids,the doctor injects a dye and then takes the x-ray
• Histerosonogram
In this case water is injected instead of a dye while taking the x-ray. Intracavitary fibroids or uterine polyps are confirmed through this test.
• Laparoscopy
In this test,conditions like endometriosis are determined. It allows for clear vision of the uterine lining because of the bright light laparoscope and camera featuring on the laparoscope. A thin incision is made in or on the naval and then a laparoscope inserted for clearer view of the uterus.
• Hysteroscopy
In this test,a long,thin instrument with camera and light is used for clearer view of the uterus and surrounding structures. No incision is made. While looking out for the fibroids,some types of the fibroid may be removed.
Remedy to Fibroid
There are ways through which we can proffer solution to fibroids. All that is required is careful attention and practicing the solutions to be stated and adherence to your doctor's advice.
Use of natural treatment and home remedies
These include managing your stress, exercises for loss of weight if you are an obesity patient, drinking of hot water to apply heat to the cramp,massage your body,avoid meat and foods with high sugar content. Eat more of vegetables and fruits.
Use of medication
For quick stoppage of menstruation which is one of the factors that may enhance the growth of fibroid and shrinking of the fibroids, anti pregnancy hormones like leuprolide may be prescribed for a drop in your estrogen and progesterone level.
- ganirelix acetate,an injection
- ibuprofen for pains
- birth control pills
- cetrorelix, an injection
- elagorix,an oral drug
Surgery
This is a method by which growths of fibroids whether multiple or large are removed by piercing or making incision on the abdomen.
There are basically two kinds of surgery for one who have decided to go through surgery for the removal of these fertility and pregnancy threatening tumors. They are:
• Myomectomy
• Hysterectomy
Myomectomy
This is the kind of surgery you can undergo if you still want to procreate. Here, your fibroids are removed but will still grow back after some years. One of the advantages of this option is that it reduces yours symptoms and most times relieves you of them. Majority of women with fibroids go for this option.
It can be done in various ways depending on the size, location and number of your myomas. These include:
Hysteroscopy:
In this case,a fluid is injected into your uterus to wash off the pieces of fibroids cut out or destroyed. It is performed on women with fewer or smaller tumors.
Abdominal Myomectomy:
This procedure requires that an incision be made on your lower abdomen as the name implies though a scar is always left after. It's healing takes between 2- 6weeks.
Laparoscopy:
In this procedure,two cuts are made on your abdomen. A telescope is inserted into one for clearer view of your uterus while the other tool is for the removal of the fibroid. It heals faster than the abdominal myomectomy.
Hysterotomy
If you have large fibroids and a good number of them and also do not have the intention of giving birth,this kind of surgery could be an option for you.
Your fibroids may be removed through your vagina by a method called Vaginal Hysterectomy; through the abdomen using Abdominal Hysterectomy method or Laparotomy;or making small incision and using a kind of instrument for removal of your fibroid known as Laparoscopic Hysterectomy.
Conclusion
Having gone through this article critically,we can say that fibroids are non-cancerous but can pose threat to pregnancy and fertility. Once a woman enters her reproductive age, fibroid becomes common and it's most complication in pregnancy is pain which can also affect fertility. Heavy bleeding and swelling up of the belly are part of the symptoms of fibroids. The types of fibroids diagnosed will help your doctor to know the kind of surgery suitable for you. Finally, strict adherence to your doctor's advice will go a long way to proffer solution to this trending issue.
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