Fibroids are benign, or non-cancerous, tumors that develop in the uterus. Uterine fibroids grow when normal uterine muscle tissue develops in an atypical manner. Fibroids usually develop as a assemblage of tumors or cluster, however they can occur as a single tumor and typically fibroids attach to the lining of the uterus or grow within the uterine wall. Uterine fibroids also tend to develop very slowly. At this time, the cause of uterine fibroids is unknown. However, physicians think that the growth of fibroids is related to the body having an abnormal reaction to estrogen or producing abnormally high levels of estrogen. But, as many women with normal estogren levels develop uterine fibroids, this theory cannot be universally applied to all cases.
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.
Most women do not experience fertility issues associated with uterine fibroids, and as a result are able to get pregnant. However, evidence suggests that there may be a higher risk of miscarriage during pregnancy. During pregnancy, existing uterine fibroids may grow, but it appears that pregnancy does not increase the rate of new fibroid development. Evidence suggest that the use of oral contraceptives may cause fibroids to increase in size.
There are 5 types of uterine fibroids: submucosal, intramural, subserosal, pendunculated, and parasitic fibroids. Submucosal fibroids develop below the lining of the uterus and can cause excessive bleeding during menstruation and pelvic pain. Intramural fibroids develop within the wall of the uterus and cause the uterus to enlarge as the fibroids grow. Subserosal, or subserous, fibroids develop on the outer wall of the uterus and usually will only result in symptoms if the tumors grow large enough that they interfere with other organs. Pendunculated fibroids result when a subserous fibroid develops a stem which can then become entwined causing acute pelvic pain. Parasitic fibroids, while rare, occur when a fibroid tumor adheres to another organ.
Although 25 to 30 percent of women develop uterine fibroids, a majority do not experience any symptoms. The most common symptoms associated with uterine fibroids are excessive bleeding during the menstrual cycle, pelvic discomfort, discomfort associated with intercourse and frequent urination. Even though pelvic discomfort can be attributed to fibroid tumors, the pain tends to be isolated to only during menstruation. The possible treatments for bothersome fibroids are: hysterectomy, UFE, hysteroscopy, myomectomy, resection of myomas, hysteroscopy, and other methods. However, these treatment methods may not always be required. The most common reason sited for elective hysterectomy is uterine fibroids. But, like all traditional treatments, this procedure can produce unwanted complications and side effects. As a result, a women should examine all options available for treating troublesome uterine fibroids in order to access which option best suits her individual needs and treatment goals. - 14130
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.
Most women do not experience fertility issues associated with uterine fibroids, and as a result are able to get pregnant. However, evidence suggests that there may be a higher risk of miscarriage during pregnancy. During pregnancy, existing uterine fibroids may grow, but it appears that pregnancy does not increase the rate of new fibroid development. Evidence suggest that the use of oral contraceptives may cause fibroids to increase in size.
There are 5 types of uterine fibroids: submucosal, intramural, subserosal, pendunculated, and parasitic fibroids. Submucosal fibroids develop below the lining of the uterus and can cause excessive bleeding during menstruation and pelvic pain. Intramural fibroids develop within the wall of the uterus and cause the uterus to enlarge as the fibroids grow. Subserosal, or subserous, fibroids develop on the outer wall of the uterus and usually will only result in symptoms if the tumors grow large enough that they interfere with other organs. Pendunculated fibroids result when a subserous fibroid develops a stem which can then become entwined causing acute pelvic pain. Parasitic fibroids, while rare, occur when a fibroid tumor adheres to another organ.
Although 25 to 30 percent of women develop uterine fibroids, a majority do not experience any symptoms. The most common symptoms associated with uterine fibroids are excessive bleeding during the menstrual cycle, pelvic discomfort, discomfort associated with intercourse and frequent urination. Even though pelvic discomfort can be attributed to fibroid tumors, the pain tends to be isolated to only during menstruation. The possible treatments for bothersome fibroids are: hysterectomy, UFE, hysteroscopy, myomectomy, resection of myomas, hysteroscopy, and other methods. However, these treatment methods may not always be required. The most common reason sited for elective hysterectomy is uterine fibroids. But, like all traditional treatments, this procedure can produce unwanted complications and side effects. As a result, a women should examine all options available for treating troublesome uterine fibroids in order to access which option best suits her individual needs and treatment goals. - 14130
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