Uterine Fibroids – Symptoms, Causes, Complications and Treatment

Uterine fibroids are commonly occurring noncancerous growth types seen in and around the uterus in a woman. In some cases, women may or may not experience any symptoms of uterine fibroids. Uterine fibroids may vary in their size and number. While small fibroids may not require any treatment or surgery, large-size uterine fibroids need to be attended to by a doctor. 

In this blog, we shall be learning in detail about uterine fibroids, their types, causes, symptoms, treatment, complications, prevention, and more. So, please keep reading till the end. 

What are Uterine Fibroids?

Uterine fibroids are benign abnormal growths that form in or on the uterus. Uterine fibroids are also called leiomyomas. These are abnormal growths that are made up of muscle and tissue and develop in or on the wall of the uterus. Uterine fibroids are mostly benign or noncancerous in nature. These fibroids are one of the most commonly occurring noncancerous tumors seen in women. These fibroid growths in the uterus occur either alone or in groups. Uterine fibroids may vary in size and shape. 

Prevalence of Uterine Fibroids 

A study has shown that in the year 2019, uterine fibroids accounted for 9.64 million incident cases, globally, with 226.05 million prevalent cases. Another study showed that the estimated prevalence of uterine fibroids among women under the age of 35 is between 40%-60%, whereas the prevalence of uterine fibroids among women aged above 50 years is 70%-80%. 

Types of Uterine Fibroids: 

Fibroids can grow anywhere in the uterus. They can vary in their shape, size, and number. In some cases, a fibroid may be as small as a pea, whereas, in some cases, it can be as big as a melon. There are various types of uterine fibroids. These uterine fibroids vary depending upon their location in or on the uterus and how they attach. The different types of uterine fibroids include the following, 

Intramural fibroids:

These are among the most commonly occurring types of fibroids and are usually found embedded within the muscular wall of the patient’s uterus. This particular type of fibroid can grow larger and stretch the uterus.

Subserosal fibroids:

This type of fibroid is formed on the lining of the outside of the uterus commonly known as the serosa. Subserosal fibroids can grow larger and make the uterus look huge on one side. 

Submucosal fibroids:

These are the types of tumors that develop on the middle muscle layer of the uterus, called as myometrium. Submucosal fibroids are not as common as the other types of fibroids.

Pedunculated fibroids:

Pedunculated fibroids Are the least common type of fibroids that attach to the uterus with a stem or a stock. These fibroids often look like and are described as mushrooms as they have a wider top and are attached to a stick or stem.

Cervical fibroids:

These are rarely occurring types of fibroids that are found developing on the cervix, which joins the uterus to the vagina.

Uterine Fibroid Symptoms: 

The symptoms of fibroids may vary depending on various factors, such as the number of fibroids, the size of the fibroids, and the location of fibroids in the uterus. Individuals with fibroids may feel a dull pain or pressure in the lower abdomen. The pressure felt in the lower belly may be due to the weight of the fibroids. The level of pain, pressure and discomfort will differ from one woman to another.

In many cases, women having uterine fibroids may not experience any symptoms at all. However, in case the symptoms of fibroids appear, then individuals having them are likely to experience the following, 

• Heavy periods or menorrhagia that can also lead to the development of anemia 
• A feeling of fullness in the lower abdominal region, especially in individuals with large fibroids 
• Abdominal discomfort 
• Pain in the lower abdomen, this often gets better within 2 to 4 weeks 
• A frequent urge to urinate 
• Pain while having sex, also called dyspareunia 
• Painful periods 
• Pain in the lower back 
• Inability to urinate or empty the bladder fully 
• Increased abdominal distention or enlargement (making the abdomen look like a pregnant belly)
• Pain in the leg 
• Constipation or feeling constipated 
• Bleeding between periods 
• Pelvic pressure 
• Pain in the pelvic region 
• Severe, long-term discharge from the vagina 
• Periods lasting longer than usual 
• Increased cramping during mensuration 
• Menstrual clots 

In rare cases, uterine fibroids can cause chronic and sudden pain when the blood supply is lessened to the fibroid, and it begins to die. The symptoms of uterine fibroids usually also get better or go away once the patient has attended menopause. This is because, during menopause, the hormone levels in the body start to decline.

In some cases, these uterine fibroids may even shrink during menopause or after menopause, as the hormone levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone drop at the time of menopause. Estrogen and progesterone are responsible for stimulating the growth of the fibroid. 

When to see a doctor?

See a doctor immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms

• Persistent pelvic pain that doesn’t go away and keeps worsening
• Spotting
• Bleeding continuously between periods 
• Heavy and painful periods that affect your everyday activities. 
• Extreme fatigue and weakness, which may indicate anemia due to blood loss and low levels of red blood cells
• Difficulty in emptying the bladder 
• A feeling of pressure or fullness in your abdomen 
• Painful sexual intercourse 

Causes of Uterine Fibroids: 

The exact reason why you join fibroids occur is not clear yet. However, various factors may influence the formation of fibroids. These include the following,

Hormones:

Our ovaries are responsible for the production of two hormones known as estrogen and progesterone. These hormones are responsible for the regeneration of the uterine lining during each menstrual cycle and stimulating the growth of fibroids. Certain studies have revealed that fibroids usually grow when the hormone levels are extremely high in the body, such as during pregnancy, and shrink when the hormone levels are extremely low in the body, like during a woman’s progression to menopause. 

Genetic changes:

Certain studies have shown that the genes present in fibroids differ from those present in the normal uterine muscle cells.

Other growth factors:

Studies have revealed that certain substances in the body that help the tissues upkeep, such as the insulin-like growth factor, may also be playing a role in the growth of fibroids in the uterus.

Risk factors of uterine fibroids:

Various risk factors increase an individual’s risk of developing neutron fibroids. Some of these uterine fibroid risk factors include the following,

• A family history of uterine fibroids 
• Getting periods or menstruation at a young age 
• Taking birth control pills before the age of 16
• Being obese or having a high BMI (Body Mass Index)
• Not having conceived 
• Attending menopause late in life 
• Vitamin D deficiency

Diagnosis of Uterine Fibroids:

In most cases, your Uterine fibroids are discovered during a regular pelvic examination. During a pelvic examination, your doctor will look at the size, shape, and condition of your uterus. Additionally, symptoms of uterine fibroids, such as heavy menstrual bleeding, painful sex, and abdominal discomfort, may also alert your doctor about the possibility of uterine fibroids. To confirm the presence of uterine fibroids, your doctor may recommend various diagnostic tests. Some of these diagnostic tests for uterine fibroids include the following, 

Ultrasound scans:

It is a non-invasive imaging test that uses sound waves to get a clear image of the uterus. The images from the ultrasound can help confirm the presence of fibroids and measure them.

Transvaginal ultrasound:

In a transvaginal ultrasound, a wand is introduced into the vagina to get a clear picture of the uterus. 

Computed tomography (CT) scan:

This scan makes use of X-ray images to give the doctor a detailed picture of the internal organ from various angles. 

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI):

This scan helps the doctor determine the size and number of fibroids present in the uterus. 

Hysteroscopy:

In this diagnostic test, a small device with a camera attached to its ends is introduced inside the vagina and cervix and into the uterus. This device helps the doctor with an examination of the insides of the uterus. During this procedure, if required, the doctor may also collect a small sample of tissue, called a biopsy, to look at the collected sample for the presence of cancer cells. 

Sonohysterography:

In this test, the doctor uses a small catheter which is inserted into the vagina to inject saline into the uterus. The injected saline makes the uterine cavity larger. The extra added saline fluid helps in obtaining better and clearer images of the uterus and submucosal fibroids, compared to a normal standard ultrasound procedure. 

Laparoscopy:

To diagnose and confirm the presence of uterine fibroids, your doctor may perform laparoscopy. In this procedure, a small and lighted tube is inserted into the abdomen through a small incision to look closely at the uterus and its surrounding areas. 

Hysterosalpingography:

This test utilizes a dye to highlight the uterus and the fallopian tubes on X-ray to get a better view of the two. This test is usually conducted if your doctor suspects blocked fallopian tubes. Additionally this test can also show you submucosal fibroids, if present.

Lab tests:

Tests are usually conducted by the doctor to determine why you have fibroids. In a laboratory test, a complete blood count test and other tests are conducted to see if you have anemia or any other bleeding disorder.

Uterine Fibroids Treatment: 

There are various treatments available for treating neutron fibroids. The treatment given to you for uterine fibroids can vary based on the size of the fibroids, the number of the fibroids, and their location in and on the uterus. The treatment prescribed may also vary depending on the symptoms of uterine fibroids being experienced. If you are not experiencing any symptoms of your trained fibroids, then you may not require any treatment. In such case, your doctor might put you on Watchful waiting. 

The best treatment option for your uterine fibroids may also depend upon the plans you will have upon the plans you may have for your pregnancy in the future. Before undergoing any treatment for uterine fibroids, it is essential to discuss your treatment options depending upon your fertility goal with your doctor.

The various treatment methods available for treating uterine fibroids include the following,

Medications:

The first line of treatment used for treating uterine fibroids is medications. The various medications that may be prescribed by your doctor may include, 

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines or painkillers 
• Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists 
• Hormonal birth control

Surgery:

If you have severe fibroids that don’t get well with other treatments, then your doctor may prescribe surgery as your next treatment option. The various surgical procedures available for treating uterine fibroids include, 

• Myomectomy
• Hysterectomy 
• Endometrial ablation
• Uterine fibroid embolization

Homeopathy treatment for Uterine Fibroids

Homeopathy is becoming one of the most sought-after systems of medicine in today’s time. Due to the various benefits offered by homeopathy, many people are opting for it to get treatment for various conditions. Homeopathic treatment for uterine fibroids is a safe, effective, and non-invasive treatment approach. It is also inexpensive and has no to very minimal side effects. Homeopathy medicines for uterine fibroids help to improve the blood flow to the pelvic area and counteract the high estrogen in the body.  

Homeopathic treatment for uterine fibroids also helps the body’s natural defenses by promoting the immune system function to treat the underlying condition on its own, prevent it, and improve the overall uterine and body health.  

At Dr Care Homeopathy, we have a team of trained homeopathic doctors with years of experience in providing the best homeopathic treatments for uterine fibroids. Doctors specialize in providing accurate diagnoses of your condition and then giving personalized treatment solutions to ensure you receive the finest treatment and care.

We understand the stress you experience with uterine fibroids diagnosis. Hence, our team of expert homeopathic specialists is focused on providing the best-personalized homeopathy treatment for uterine fibroids. We aim to help you find the root cause of your conditions and remove them from the root to make sure you live a healthy life. 

Our doctors are experts in homeopathy with years of training and experience in giving holistic healing to our patients. With us, your health is in safe hands. Our experts will help you find your condition’s cause and target it effectively to not only provide symptomatic relief but also help you improve the quality of your life. 

Home remedies for Uterine Fibroids:

Home remedies for uterine fibroids are below

• Yoga 
• Hot compression to relieve cramps (avoid this remedy if you have severe bleeding)
• Massage 
• Acupuncture 
• Dietary changes 

Certain studies have also shown the effect of different herbal remedies on fibroids. However, more research is needed on these herbal remedies before they get prescribed by a doctor. The various herbal remedies for fibroids, as per research, include the following,

• Green tea

Green tea is among one of the most commonly consumed herbal teas. Green tea contains flavanols. These flavanols have antioxidant properties that are known to reduce the damage to the cells in the body by reducing oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is responsible for causing diseases. In a study conducted in 2013 on 33 females having one or more fibroids, it was seen that those who consumed green tree extracts had fewer chronic symptoms of fibroids, and the size of their fibroids had also reduced. 

• Curcumin

Curcumin is among one of the active ingredients present in turmeric and is known for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties. Certain studies have suggested that consuming curcumin can help in destroying the fibrotic cells or even stop them from growing.

• Lifestyle changes

One of the most common risk factors of uterine fibroids is obesity or being overweight. Hence, having a healthy lifestyle and maintaining a healthy weight can be beneficial in individuals with uterine fibroids. Studies have suggested that healthy lifestyle changes can help improve the symptoms of uterine fibroids, such as heavy and painful periods, depression, etc. Some common lifestyle changes that can help individuals with uterine fibroids improve their symptoms include the following, 

• Eating a healthy and balanced diet 
• Exercising regularly
• Practicing yoga 
• Practicing breathing exercises

Complications of Uterine Fibroids:

Although uterine fibroids normally do not cause any complications, in some cases, patients with uterine fibroids may experience certain complications. Some of these complications of your joint fibroids include the following,

• Individuals with urinary with uterine fibroids may develop urinary tract infections*————
• In some cases, individuals with fibroids may have pregnancy problems such as labor problems, preterm birth, or even loss of pregnancy. This usually occurs as the estrogen levels rise extremely high during pregnancy.
• Experiencing persistent heavy periods due to uterine fibroids may cause anemia
• Experiencing heavy periods can alter and affect the quality of the patient’s life
• Individuals with larger fibroids may experience discomfort and swelling in the lower abdomen
• Constipation and painful bowel movements may also occur as a complication of uterine fibroids
• Individuals with utterance fibroids may experience extreme fatigue due to heavy blood loss

Uterine Fibroids Prevention:

As the exact causes of your uterine fibroids are not known, it may not be possible to prevent them. However, there are certain lifestyle changes that can help lower an individual’s risk of developing uterine fibroids. These healthy lifestyle changes for reducing the risk of uterine fibroids include the following,

• Eating healthily and mindfully 
• Maintaining a healthy weight 
• Getting into the habit of exercising regularly 
• Avoid caffeine consumption
• Avoid or quit alcohol consumption 

Pregnancy and fibroids

In most cases, fibroids do not cause any interference with getting pregnant. However, however, in some cases, individuals with fibroids, especially submucosal fibroids, may experience pregnancy loss or even infertility. Additionally, fibroids may also increase the risk of pregnancy-related complications, 

• Restriction of fetal growth, where an unborn fetus does not grow as it is expected to
• Preterm delivery, which is a case in which the baby is born sooner than the expected due date
• Placental abruption, where the placenta, responsible for bringing nutrients and oxygen to the baby, detaches from the inner wall of the uterus 
• Loss of pregnancy 

Conclusion:

Uterine fibroids are benign growth that occurs in or around the uterus. In many cases, women having uterine fibroids may not experience any of the symptoms. However, when the symptoms appear, the individual having fibroids is likely to experience heavy bleeding, abdominal discomfort spotting, painful sex, frequent urge to urinate, etc. Getting a proper diagnosis and treatment for uterine fibroids is important to get relief from the symptoms. There are various diagnostic tests that may be carried out to diagnose uterine fibroids. While you try and fibroids are not known to cause way any major complications, it is still advised to speak to a doctor about any potential complications that may occur. Patience If you are pregnant or plan to get pregnant and have uterine fibroids, then it is important you speak to your doctor about it. 

Dr Care Homeopathy provides homeopathic treatment and care for all conditions, including uterine fibroids. We offer hogastlistic approaches to ensure you heal quickly. Our team focuses on delivering personalized solutions to women with uterine fibroids and assisting them with any fibroids and pregnancy-related queries they may have.