What are Uterine Fibroids? Fibroids are non-cancerous growths that develop inside the uterus of the woman. Sometimes they may become large, causing heavy menstrual bleeding. Not all the times they show symptoms. But sometimes, they may be symptomatic and may need removal through surgery.
Fibroids do not increase the risk of uterine cancer, and they are not life-threatening. They can be of various sizes, from a seedling to a football.
You may have single or many fibroids at the same time. A single fibroid maybe sometimes so big that it enlarges and exerts pressure on the ribcage.
You may often not know about fibroid until they show symptoms. They may cause back pain, heavy bleeding, and abdominal pain. Your healthcare provider may discover it incidentally on an ultrasound or pelvic examination. If you are diagnosed with fibroids, you can visit the Gynecologist in Lahore.
What are the Symptoms of Fibroids?
In most cases, fibroids do not show any symptoms. The symptoms are also affected by the area where they are located, their size, and their quantity. However, they may cause:
- Back pain
- Heavy menstrual bleeding
- Menstrual cramps
- Menstrual periods that last more than a week
- Pelvic pressure
- Frequent need to urinate
- Constipation
- Pain in the back or legs
What are the causes of fibroids?
Experts do not know the exact cause of fibroids, but the following factors can play a role in its development:
Genetic changes
Genetic changes in the genes can lead to the development of fibroids.
Hormones
Your ovaries produce two hormones, called estrogen and progesterone. These hormones cause the lining of the uterus to regenerate and prepare it for pregnancy.
Fibroids contain more receptors sensitive to estrogen and progesterone. Therefore hormones can stimulate the growth of fibroids. Due to this reason, they tend to shrink after menopause.
Growth factors
Substances such as insulin-like growth factors that maintain tissues in the body can cause fibroids.
Pregnancy
When you are pregnant, the estrogen and progesterone levels rise in your body. It can lead to fibroid development. Therefore pregnancy can lead to fibroids. However, they may shrink on their own after the baby is born.
What are the risk factors for Fibroids?
Apart from being a female of the reproductive age, the following factors can play a role in causing it.
Hereditary
Having a family history of fibroids can put you at risk of developing it. If your mother or sister has it, the risk of it increases.
Other factors that can increase the risk of fibroids are:
- Periods starting at an early age
- Vitamin D deficiency
- Eating a diet rich in red meat and green vegetables
- Diary intake
- Drinking alcohol or beer
What are the complications of Fibroids?
Uterine fibroids are not life-threatening. However, they can cause heavy menstrual bleeding, which can cause anemia- a decrease in red blood cells.
Sometimes you may need an iron transfusion to overcome anemia.
Fibroids can increase the complication of pregnancy, such as:
- Placental abruption
- Preterm delivery
- Restricted fetal growth
Conclusion
Uterine fibroids can shrink over time. They usually do not interfere with pregnancy. But sometimes, they can cause infertility or loss of pregnancy. If you are diagnosed with fibroids, you can visit oladoc.com.
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