Why Do Uterine Fibroids Develop in Women?
Uterine fibroids are known as muscle tumors and in most cases are non-cancerous. They are a very common growth in the female genital tract. Fibroid growths afflict as many as 80% of American women in their 30's to 50's. One in four women will have complaints serious enough to seek medical treatment! The true causes of uterine fibroids remain unknown, however, there are several factors that do seem to affect fibroid growths in women.
If uterine fibroids are causing cramps or painful periods, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Ibuprofen or Naprosyn may be recommended. In some cases, birth control pills may be used to control the heavy periods and stop the fibroid from growing in mass. Because of the blood loss, iron supplements may also be required.
Hormonal therapy such as the Depo Leuprolide injection is sometimes prescribed to shrink uterine fibroids. This drug and others like it, reduce the production of estrogens and progesterone. This puts the hormones in a state similar to menopause and may cause similarly severe side effects such as hot flushes, loss of bone density, and vaginal dryness.
There are also surgical interventions available.
Hysteroscopic resection may be used when uterine fibroids are growing inside the uterine cavity. Hysteroscopic is performed as an outpatient procedure and involves a small camera and instruments being inserted through the cervix into the uterus to remove the fibroids.
Another procedure is uterine artery embolisatin where the blood supply to the fibroids is stopped. However, long term effects are yet to be determined and safety of pregnancy following this procedure is uncertain.
A myomectomy is a surgical procedure where only the uterine fibroids are removed. A myomectomy is frequently the chosen treatment women who still wish to have children choose, because it does not generally affect fertility. Your doctor will tell you if myomectomy surgery is right for you.
Call your health care provider if you notice changes in your menstrual pattern such as increased blood flow, more frequent cramping and spotting between periods. You may also experience fullness or heaviness in your lower abdomen. There may also be pressure which affects normal urination.
Provided by David Lee Buster & Annabelle Rox
