How can one spot the formation of uterine fibroids?

Fibroids do not have a single best way of dealing with as several treatment options are available. With doctor’s advice, the following treatments can be recommended. PHOTO| FILE| NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • The growth of fibroids may be slow, rapid or their size may not change at all. Their size varies from microscopic to large masses that can expand the uterus.

  • Most cases of fibroids cause no symptoms hence some women may not be aware of them until they are discovered during prenatal ultrasound, pelvic exams or surgical procedures such as caesarian section.

Fibroids are quite common among women of child bearing years and African women are at a greater risk when compared to women from other races. Fibroids are  a type of growth that are found in any part of the womb (uterus). They can grow in the cervix or outer or inner part of the uterus. They normally grow from the muscular tissue of the uterus whereby a single cell splits continually and eventually forms a solid, rubbery mass.

As explained by Dr Bonface Musila, a gynaecologist, fibroids are not cancerous and the risk of cancer (malignant transformation) of fibroids is very low, in fact less than 0.1 per cent, which is less than one in a thousand.

The growth of fibroids may be slow, rapid or their size may not change at all. Their size varies from microscopic to large masses that can expand the uterus.

Most cases of fibroids cause no symptoms hence some women may not be aware of them until they are discovered during prenatal ultrasound, pelvic exams or surgicalp rocedures such as caesarian section.

 

Dear Doc,

I was diagnosed with fibroids about a year ago. No one in my family has ever had them. What could have caused them?

Mariah

 

Dear Mariah,

Unfortunately, scientists still do not know  why why fibroids occur. However, there are certain risk factors that increase a woman’s risk of developing fibroids.

Genetics is one of the risk factors whereby fibroids can be occur due to changes in genes of the normal muscle cells in the uterus and also the  risk increases if there are family members who have fibroids.

Women who have delayed child bearing and those with fewer children may be at a risk of developing fibroids. In addition, women who are infertile may have fibroids. Fibroids are also more common in women as they age but they tend to shrink after menopause.

 

Dear Doc,

What are symptoms associated with uterine fibroids and how can a woman know if they have fibroids?

Nekesa

 

Dear Nekesa,

Most fibroids do not have obvious symptoms. But when symptoms are present they may include prolonged periods lasting seven or more days, heavy bleeding (described as using double the number of pads that a woman uses during normal days), and pelvic pain. At times, fibroids can be felt as hard masses. Other non-specific symptoms may include bowel problems such as bloating and frequent urination. However, the only sure way of knowing whether you have fibroids is to have a gynaecologist check you. The gynaecologist may identify fibroids during a pelvic exam which involves examination of reproductive organs like ovaries, vagina, and uterus.

 

Dear Doc,

Are there different types of uterine fibroids?

Mr V

 

Dear Mr V,

Yes. Fibroids come in different types.

Sub-mucousal fibroids: These develop in the uterine cavity, just below the lining of the uterus. They tend to be more problematic fibroids.

Sub-serous fibroids: They develop outside uterine wall and they can increase outward via the wall.

Intramural/ myometrial fibroids: They grow inside the muscular wall of the uterus and they can increase inward hence causing the uterus to feel larger.

Pedunculated fibroids- these normally develop outside the uterus.

 

Dear Doc,

I have fibroids and would like to have children in the nearest future. Is it possible and what are the possible risks of getting pregnant with fibroids?

Kanana

 

Dear Kanana,

Yes. You can still get pregnant even if you have fibroids. If fibroids are small or do not cause symptoms, they are not likely to cause significant risk to the pregnancy outcome. But, having sub-mucosal fibroids can interfere with implantation and consequently development of the embryo. In this case, they may need to be removed before a woman attempts to conceive.

However, there are some risks involved. Fibroids can grow as the pregnancy grows and they may undergo changes hence be a source of pain and discomfort. They can cause miscarriage especially where they grow near the endometrial cavity (child’s space in the womb). Fibroids can predispose a woman to pre-term labour, cause dysfunctional labour —interfere with contraction of the uterus), or they may obstruct progress of labour if they occupy lower womb. They may also cause mal-presentation for example, the legs of the baby may come out first instead of the head. There is also the risk of excessive post-partum bleeding due to ineffective contraction of the uterus which is the number one cause of maternal deaths. The risk of C-section delivery is greater for women who have fibroids.

 

Dear Doc,

My wife underwent a successful treatment for fibroids. However, we are worried that the fibroids may come back.

Concerned husband

 

Dear Concerned husband,

Treatment for fibroids may successfully destroy the fibroids that cause painful symptoms. However, more fibroids may develop later in life and cause symptoms that need more treatment. This applies to all fibroid treatments, apart from hysterectomy whereby the whole of the uterus is removed.