Uterine fibroids are the most common type of benign uterine tumors. Fibroids start in the muscle tissue of the uterus, or the womb, and develop with the uterine wall or attach to it. Although fibroids can grow as a single tumor, they usually develop as multiple tumors or lumps that tend to grow very slowly. The cause of fibroids is unknown, but physicians theorize that these tumors grow when the body responds abnormally to the hormone estrogen, although this theory doesn't completely explain why certain women are more prone to developing fibroids.
Uterine fibroids affect one out of every four women over the age of 40, although no risk factors other than being of child-bearing age have been identified. African American women are up to five times more likely to develop fibroids then Caucasian women. Additionally, fibroids tend to occur earlier and grow more rapidly in African American women. Interestingly, the incident rate among African women of the same age is much lower than that of African American women.
Although physicians believe that high levels of estrogen may contribute to the development of uterine fibroids, these tumors have developed in women with normal estrogen levels as well. Fibroids tend to grow larger during pregnancy, however, there is little scientific proof that suggests that fibroids multiply during pregnancy. Most women who have fibroids do not experience difficulty with fertility and are able to get pregnant, but may have a higher risk of miscarriage. Some evidence suggests that oral contraceptives may actually increase the size of uterine fibroids.
The types of uterine fibroids are: submucosal, intramural, subserosal, pendunculated, and parasitic fibroids. Submucosal fibroids grow below the lining of the uterus and may cause excessive and prolonged bleeding during the menstrual cycle and pelvic cramping. Intramural fibroids grow within the wall of the uterus and as the fibroids grow they can enlarge the uterus. Subserosal, or subserous, fibroids grow on the outer uterus wall and typically symptoms only occur if the fibroids interfere with other organs. Pendunculated fibroids develop when a subserosal fibroid grows a stalk that then becomes twisted which can result in exruciating pain in the pelvis area. Although rare, parasitic fibroids develop when a fibroid tumor attaches to another organ, and begins to "feed" off that organ like a parasite.
Although approximately 1 out of every 4 women develop uterine fibroids, most do not experience any symptoms. However, the typical symptoms experienced are: excessive bleeding during menstruation, pelvic cramping, pain during intercourse and frequent urination. While pelvic cramping can be attributed to uterine fibroids, the discomfort generally occurs only during the menstrual cycle. The treatments for uterine fibroids include: hysterectomy, UFE, hysteroscopy, myomectomy, resection of myomas, hysteroscopy, and other treatments. It should be noted that these treatments are not necessary in all cases. Today, uterine fibroids are listed as the most common elective reason for a hysterectomy. However, like other common treatments, hysterectomy may have undesirable side effects and complications. Therefore, a woman should thoroughly research all possible treatments before deciding which treatment is best suited for her needs. - 32372
Uterine fibroids affect one out of every four women over the age of 40, although no risk factors other than being of child-bearing age have been identified. African American women are up to five times more likely to develop fibroids then Caucasian women. Additionally, fibroids tend to occur earlier and grow more rapidly in African American women. Interestingly, the incident rate among African women of the same age is much lower than that of African American women.
Although physicians believe that high levels of estrogen may contribute to the development of uterine fibroids, these tumors have developed in women with normal estrogen levels as well. Fibroids tend to grow larger during pregnancy, however, there is little scientific proof that suggests that fibroids multiply during pregnancy. Most women who have fibroids do not experience difficulty with fertility and are able to get pregnant, but may have a higher risk of miscarriage. Some evidence suggests that oral contraceptives may actually increase the size of uterine fibroids.
The types of uterine fibroids are: submucosal, intramural, subserosal, pendunculated, and parasitic fibroids. Submucosal fibroids grow below the lining of the uterus and may cause excessive and prolonged bleeding during the menstrual cycle and pelvic cramping. Intramural fibroids grow within the wall of the uterus and as the fibroids grow they can enlarge the uterus. Subserosal, or subserous, fibroids grow on the outer uterus wall and typically symptoms only occur if the fibroids interfere with other organs. Pendunculated fibroids develop when a subserosal fibroid grows a stalk that then becomes twisted which can result in exruciating pain in the pelvis area. Although rare, parasitic fibroids develop when a fibroid tumor attaches to another organ, and begins to "feed" off that organ like a parasite.
Although approximately 1 out of every 4 women develop uterine fibroids, most do not experience any symptoms. However, the typical symptoms experienced are: excessive bleeding during menstruation, pelvic cramping, pain during intercourse and frequent urination. While pelvic cramping can be attributed to uterine fibroids, the discomfort generally occurs only during the menstrual cycle. The treatments for uterine fibroids include: hysterectomy, UFE, hysteroscopy, myomectomy, resection of myomas, hysteroscopy, and other treatments. It should be noted that these treatments are not necessary in all cases. Today, uterine fibroids are listed as the most common elective reason for a hysterectomy. However, like other common treatments, hysterectomy may have undesirable side effects and complications. Therefore, a woman should thoroughly research all possible treatments before deciding which treatment is best suited for her needs. - 32372
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