Uterine fibroids affect roughly 30% of women in the United States. They are the most common, non-cancerous tumors in women of childbearing age. Though these tumors are benign (non-cancerous), they are linked to a host of other health issues including: heavy periods, irregular periods, pelvic pain or "fullness," and reproductive problems, including infertility and multiple miscarriages. It is possible to have fibroid tumors and not show any symptoms. Fibroids that cause no symptoms before pregnancy may cause problems during pregnancy. Fibroids are commonly treated by surgery. Myomectomy removes just the fibroid, leaving the uterus. Hysterectomy removes the entire uterus. A new less invasive procedure, Uterine Fibroid Embolization, eradicates the tumor by cutting off the blood supply.
Symptoms:
Sensation of fullness or pressure in lower abdomen
Pelvic cramping or pain with periods
Abdominal fullness, gas
Increase in urinary frequency
Heavy menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia), sometimes with the passage of blood clots
Sudden, severe pain due to a pedunculated fibroid
Note: There are often no symptoms.
Listed below are the five types of uterine fibroids:
Intramural: These are the most common type of fibroid, developing within the uterine wall, making the uterus feel generally larger.
Subserous: These fibroids grow on the outside of the uterus and grow outward.
Submucous:: These fibroids develop under the lining of the uterine cavity. Submucosal fibroids are most commonly linked to heavy menstruation, miscarriage and infertility.
Pedunculated:: Some fibroids grow on stalks (called peduncles) that grow out from the surface of the uterus, or into the cavity of the uterus.
Intracavitary:: These Fibroids grow on the most inner section of the uterous. While these do not grow within the uterine wall, they linked to a number of serious health risks.
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