As promised, this article discusses uterine fibroids. They are also known as myomas or fibroids. The medical term for them is leiomyoma (Lieomyoma). Big topic. I have to do it in two parts because I really want you to have all available information. br very Fibroids are common. At the age of 50, 80% of African American women and 70% of Caucasian women who have fibroids. Two thirds of the time these women have no symptoms and do not seek treatment for their fibroids. As older women tend to develop fibroids. In addition, women who have no or few children, those who eat a diet high in fat, those taking a certain medication called tamoxifen (used to treat breast cancer) and those with family history are most at risk. What is a fibroid It is a tumor of muscle fibers that form the uterus. Basically, it starts with a damaged muscle cell, this cell multiplies until remarkable dough is formed in the wall of the uterus. Fibroids grow larger in the presence of estrogen and that's why I usually shrink after menopause and may increase in size when a woman is pregnant. Some reports indicate that contraceptive pills can also cause fibroids to grow larger, while other reports in accordance with this notion. The jury is still here. What causes damage to a cell Who knows. It is the diet It is smoking Is because a person is overweight It is alcohol Is of hormones and chemicals used to increase food production I've done the surgery in vegetarians, skinny women, women who work six days a week and women who dont drink and shop at Whole Foods. br fibroids are found in three different sections of the uterus. Think about how having an avocado cut in half and remove the seed. Fibroids can be found near the outside, just below the deck as shown in the skin of the avocado. They can grow deep in the center of the muscle fibers, represented by the yellow color to the pale green of the avocado. Also found near the uterine wall, represented by the portion of the avocado can be seen after throwing away the seed. Fibroids that are close to the wall can even hang out in the uterine cavity. Most women will have more of a fibroma located in the three areas. Fibroids that are located in the cavity tend to be those that contribute to heavy bleeding and cause staining to occur days before or after the menstrual flow. Besides bleeding, many women report one or more of the following: a constant dull pain in the pelvis, rectal pressure, having to urinate frequently, pain with defecation and pain with sex. br In a pelvic exam, the gynecologist can feel the fibroids, and usually for a pelvic ultrasound. To better see the inside of the uterus, your doctor may perform a special test that uses a dye to trace the shape of the uterine cavity or to perform a hysteroscopy (hissteroscoPY), which uses a small camera to actually see inside the uterine cavity and take pictures. Sometimes, especially if the fibroid is enormous, as the size of a melon or larger, the doctor may require a CT or MRI. br I tell my patients, if fibroids do not bother, then do not bother, even if they are large. Unfortunately, one in three women, fibroids cause no symptoms. This leads to a discussion of what to do. There are some things we have available to help and the chosen depends on whether the woman wants children and the need to keep their uterus. Some women want to keep their uterus, even if they are planning to have kids. Some women are in pain, but I just cannot tolerate bleeding and, in fact, becoming anemic. br If my patients complaint is bleeding, then we can begin to birth control pills. In the absence of other medical problems, namely high blood pressure, diabetes or obesity, birth control pills are safe to drink until age 50. Honestly, birth control pills are not as effective in the face of fibroids, after a time most women become for some other relief. The Mirena IUD (Intrauterine Device) is another option. This device delivers hormones directly into the uterus and causes less bleeding. If you have a big bulky uterus with lots of fibroids can be difficult for the physician to place the IUD and the IUD can get expelled because of fibroids. Studies have shown that the Mirena IUD does not work. Get insurance coverage may prove difficult however, since the device is only approved by the FDA as a contraceptive. Avoid risks of surgery and taking time off from work may be worth the initial cost if you have to pay out of pocket. br If the pill or the IUD is not an option, an endometrial ablation is another way. This procedure can be done with different techniqueshot water, hot water in a balloon, freezing, microwave and electricitysimple destroys the uterine lining. Think for avocados. All her blood comes from the garrison, known as the endometrium. Simply carbonization or vaporization of this area can reduce the amount of blood loss. This procedure will require some form of anesthesia, but women go home the same day. I have had great success with ablation and patients are very happy. Note that this procedure can not be used if the uterus is too large, if the shape of the uterus does not allow the instruments to fit properly inside and if there is a big push fibroma or hanging into the cavity. Moreover, there is surgery. With surgery comes risks. Each technique has its own risks, but what is common to all approaches is the risk of making a hole in the uterus (uterine perforation). In most cases, the doctor simply has to stop the process and will return in a couple of weeks to try again, or try something else. In rare cases, perforation and not notice the heat is distributed outside the places uterusto as your bowel and bladder. This is rare. Rare. br If bleeding and pain are the culprits, then, that leaves us with one of the following: hysterectomy, myomectomy, laparoscopic myomectomy, the uterine artery embolization and focused ultrasound surgery. What is for you Which is going to preserve their fertility Going to need a cesarean section after fibroids surgically removed What will affect your sex life And, if you have a hysterectomy How long before the return of fibroids and once again, leave you wondering: what to do br br
