Most Frequently Asked Questions about Fibroids

Before fixing an appointment with a Fibroid specialist in Hyderabad, let us have a look at some of the most frequently asked questions about fibroids.

What are Uterine Fibroids?

Uterine Fibroids or leiomyoma are non-cancerous or benign growths in the uterus. Fibroids grow from muscle tissue or the surrounding layer of the uterus. They can be attached to the uterus wall like stem; present in inside the uterus or within its wall or outer surface of the uterus wall. Shape, size and location of fibroids can vary greatly. The growth of fibroids can be rapid, sudden or slow. They remain small for long or grow slowly over several years. There can be one fibroid, a few or many or of different sizes. In many cases, fibroids remain either small or do not grow and do not cause any problems or symptoms, but they may cause problems owing to their, numbers, size, growth and location.

Can fibroids turn into cancer?

Fibroids are non-cancerous or benign growths. There is a rarest of the rare possibility of a fibroid turning into cancer (0ne in 1000). If a fibroid turns into cancer, it is known as leiomyosarcoma. Fibroids neither increase cancer risk nor do they turn into cancerous fibroids. They don’t increase the risk of getting other forms of uterine cancers.

Can fibroids come back after treatment?

Treatment of fibroids give symptomatic relief and address the issue promptly. However, there could still be a possibility of fibroids growing again. The symptoms manifest again and cause problems. The patient may require additional treatment. The potential risk of fibroids returning back after treatment is there with all possible treatments except hysterectomy.

 How to know for sure that one has fibroids?

Doctors do a physical examination and also pelvic examination. During a routine pelvic examination, gynaecologists notice fibroids and to confirm the diagnosis pelvic ultrasound is recommended. Gynaecologists also perform hysteroscopy to look into the uterus through the vagina. CT or MRI scans may also be recommended.

What is a sure treatment for fibroids?

Fibroids are the most common reason for many women to have surgical removal of the uterus (hysterectomy). This is a sure way to treat fibroids. However, doctors conserve uterus and avoid hysterectomy for many women.

Is it possible to get pregnant if a woman has fibroids?

If a woman develops fibroids, it becomes difficult and harder for her to get pregnant. Yet fibroids may not be a common infertility issue. Women can still become pregnant with fibroids. Many women may have normal deliveries as well. However, the presence of fibroids may cause problems during pregnancy and delivery. There could be a possibility of early delivery or C-section for delivery. It is better to talk to a fibroid specialist in Hyderabad if you have developed fibroids and you are pregnant.

What causes fibroids?

The exact cause of fibroids is unknown. There could be a variety of factors that play some role in the development of uterine fibroids – such as age, levels of oestrogen and progesterone hormones, environmental and genetic factors. A woman’s risk for fibroids increases manifolds if her mother had them.

What are the risk factors for fibroids?

Fibroids are very common and the risk of developing fibroids is very high in women who have a strong family history of fibroids. In general, almost 80% of women will develop at least one fibroid during her lifetime. The risk is high in Asian and African women and also in women who are obese. The risk is lower in women who eat lots of fruits and vegetables, but higher in women who eat lots of red meat. The risk of developing fibroids is lower in women after menopause. Majority of fibroids are diagnosed before menopause at age 40 to 50 years.

What are the symptoms of Fibroids?

Symptoms of fibroids include pain in the pelvic region, lower abdomen, pain during sex, menstrual cramps or menstrual pain, longer, more frequent and heavy menstrual periods, changes in menstruation, anaemia, vaginal bleeding other than menstruation, abdominal cramps, pressure in abdomen, frequent urination, difficulty urinating, enlarged uterus and abdomen, constipation, difficulty in bowel movements, and rectal pain, infertility and miscarriages.

 How are fibroids treated?

Depending on the size, number and location of fibroids, a variety of treatment options are available. Fibroid specialist in Hyderabad prescribes pain medicines to reduce the pain. Most fibroids are removed by surgery. Fertility preserving surgery – myomectomy is performed to remove only fibroids without taking out uterus. Hysterectomy involves surgical removal of the complete womb (uterus). Fibroids are shrunk and removed by uterine artery embolization – in which the blood flow to fibroids is restricted and stopped.

There are several treatment options available for dealing with fibroids. It is better to decide which one is better considering your own requirements including whether you want children in the future or not. With myomectomy, there is a possibility to have children.