Dzemdes mioma, Image by silviarita from Pixabay
Do you feel pressure and pain in the pelvic area, on the urinary bladder or rectum? Are your periods prolonged and heavy? Does coitus cause you discomfort? All those signs can indicate uterine fibroids, also called uterine myoma or uterine leiomyoma. What are they, are they dangerous to women’s health and how to treat them? We asked these questions certified gynaecologist Vija Plūme.
What are uterine fibroids?
Uterine fibroid is the most common benign tumour of the reproductive system in women. It develops in the uterine wall. It is caused by hormonal disbalance in the women’s body: rapid increase in oestrogen levels.
If a fibroid causes no complaints the treatment is not necessary, however, it should not be left unnoticed. If it grows bigger and continues to develop it can cause different issues like urinary incontinence, feeling of pressure in the abdomen, anaemia, and infertility.
Only a gynaecologist can diagnose the fibroids
The gynaecologist can diagnose uterine fibroids during a sonography examination. During the sonography, the fibroids are measured in size and a precise location is defined. If needed, magnetic resonance imaging can help to clarify the diagnosis, however, it is needed very rarely.
What to do if fibroids are diagnosed?
If the fibroids must be treated the gynaecologists will prescribe a treatment plan. The treatment is different for each woman considering the age, symptoms, other diseases and the size, number and location of the fibroids.
The fibroids can be treated with medications or surgically. Medications are used if the woman does not want surgery or it is not possible due to other complaints. Surgical treatment can vary (myomectomy, uterine artery embolization, etc.), however the aim of the surgery is one – to remove the fibroids from the uterus. Sometimes the placement and/or size of a fibroid makes surgery difficult. In such cases, it may be necessary to remove the uterus itself.
The most suitable treatment will be decided by your gynaecologist.
Visit your gynaecologist in time. Although fibroids are not life threatening they can cause abortion and infertility.
Dzemdes mioma, Image by silviarita from Pixabay