FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
Uterine Fibroids
Uterine fibroids (also called leiomyomas) are growths made of muscle and tissue that form in or on the wall of your uterus. These growths are usually not cancerous (benign) and are the most common noncancerous tumor in women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB).
Uterine fibroids can cause a variety of symptoms like pain and heavy, irregular vaginal bleeding. Sometimes, a person has no symptoms and is unaware they have fibroids. Treatment for fibroids typically depends on your symptoms.
Where do fibroids grow?
Fibroids can grow as a single nodule (one growth) or in a cluster. Clusters of fibroids can range in size from 1 millimeter to more than 20 centimeters (8 inches) in diameter or even larger. For comparison, fibroids can be as small as a seed or get as large as a watermelon. These growths can develop within the wall of your uterus, inside the main cavity of your uterus or on the outer surface of your uterus.
Types of uterine fibroids
There are different types of uterine fibroids depending on where they're located and how they attach. Specific types of uterine fibroids include:
Intramural fibroids: These fibroids are embedded into the muscular wall of your uterus. They're the most common type.
Submucosal fibroids: These fibroids grow under the inner lining of your uterus.
Subserosal fibroids: This type of fibroid grows under the lining of the outer surface of your uterus. They can become quite large and grow into your pelvis.
Pedunculated fibroids: The least common type, these fibroids attach to your uterus with a stalk or stem. They're often described as mushroom- like because they have a stalk and then a wider top.
Causes
The exact cause is unknown, but healthcare providers believe the hormones estrogen and progesterone play a role. Most fibroids happen in people of reproductive age. Studies show that fibroids tend to grow when hormone levels are higher (like during pregnancy) and shrink when hormone levels are low (like during the transition to menopause).
What are risk factors for uterine fibroids?
There are several risk factors that can play a role in your chances of developing fibroids. These can include:
Obesity and a higher body mass index (BMI).
Family history of fibroids.
Not having children.
Early onset of menstruation (getting your period at a young age).
Late age for menopause.
Symptoms
Hot flashes and night sweats.
Vaginal dryness and sexual discomfort.
Depression.
Changes in sex drive.
Insomnia.
Dryskin.
Weight changes.
Hairloss.
Urinary incontinence.
If your symptoms become more intense or interfere with your daily life, talk with your healthcare provider. They may want to rule out any underlying condition causing these.
Patient Profile
The patients are usually nulliparous or having long period of secondary infertility. However, early marriage and frequent childbirth make its frequency high even amongst the multiparous women. The incidence is at its peak between 35-45 years. There is a tendency of delayed menopause.
Symptoms : The majority of fibroids remain asymptomatic (75%). They are accidentally discovered by the physician during routine examination or at laparotomy or laparoscopy.
The symptoms are related to anatomic type and size of the tumour. The site is more important than the size. A small submucous fibroid may produce more symptoms than a big subserous fibroid.
Menstrual abnormalities
Menorrhagia (30%) is the classic symptom of symptomatic fibroid.
The menstrual loss is progressively increased with successive cycles. It is conspicuous in submucous or interstitial fibroids.
Metrorrhagia or irregular bleeding
Dysmenorrhoea: The congestive variety may be due to associated pelvic congestion or endometriosis. Spasmodic type is associated with estrusion of polyp and its expulsion from the uterine cavity.
Subserous, broad ligament or cervical fibroids are usually unassociated with menstrual abnormalitites.
Infertility: Infertility (30%) may be a major complaint.
Pain lower abdomen: The fibroids are usually painless. Pain may be due to some complications of the tumour or due to associated pelvic pathology.
Abdominal swellings (lump): The patient may have a sense of heaviness in lower abdomen. She may feel a lump in the lower abdomen even without any other symptom.
Pressure symptoms: Pressure symptoms are rare in body fibroids. The fibroids in the posterior wall may be impacted in the pelvis producing constipation, dysuria or even retention of urine. A broad ligament fibroid may produce ureteric compression → hydroureteric and hydronephrotic changes → infection → pyelitis.
Treatments
Uterine fibroids is a common pathology seen in menopausal and post menopausal females. Different types or locations of fibroids can be treated by homeopathy alone completely. Homeopathy removes the fibroid and cures its symtpms along with it. It prevents further growth of new fibroids or its complications.
Homeopathic medications which help in these patients are sepia, Kali carb, magnesium muriaticum etc.
