FIBROIDS

DESCRIPTION

Fibroids are noncancerous growths on the uterus that often appear during childbearing years. They are also known as  uterine fibroids, myomas or fibromyomas. They can vary in size, from that of a bean to as large as a melon.

SYMPTOMS

Uterine fibroids symptoms can develop slowly over several years or rapidly over several months. Most women with uterine fibroids have mild symptoms to none at all and never need treatment. For some women, fibroids symptoms become a problem. Pain and heavy menstrual bleeding are the most common signs, difficulty in falling pregnant is another sign of fibroids. The type of symptoms women have can depend on where the fibroid is located in the uterus. Other symptoms include painful periods, bleeding between periods, prolonged periods, pelvic pains, pain during sexual intercourse, bloating, urinary problems, miscarriage and infertility.

CAUSES

During a woman's reproductive  years, her estrogen and progesterone levels are high. When they are high, especially during pregnancy, fibroids tends to swell. When they are low, fibroids may shrink, e.g during menopause. Fibroids are also hereditary, if there is a history of fibroids in the family, other female members of the family are at a higher risk of developing fibroid.

TREATMENT
 Most fibroids are harmless, do nt cause symptoms and shrink with menopause. but some fibroids are painful, press on other internal organs, bleed and cause anemia or pregnancy problems. These complicated fibroids  can be surgically removed, the blood supply to these fibroids can be cut off , the entire uterus can be removed, or medicine can temporarily shrink fibroids. The treatment will depend on whether you have severe symptoms or not.