FIBROIDS; WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT IT

Fibroid: What you need to know

FIBROID: What you need to know about it

DEFINITION |  CAUSES  | SYMPTOMS  |  TYPES  |  COMPLICATIONS

Women go through a lot of hormonal changes as they reach puberty into adulthood. Most prevalent is is the menstrual cycle of a woman. 

However other hormonal complications may rise which affects most women in their child bearing years and that is what we term as FIBROID

WHAT IS FIBROID?

FIBROID is a non cancerous growth in or around the uterus of a woman during her reproductive years or child bearing years.

 This growth is made up of muscle cells and tissues that combine together. 

This type of growth is usually found in women ages 25 years up to 50 years because that is period where a woman's estrogen level is very high. In some cases ladies below the age of 25 years can report to have fibroid according to MedicalNewsToday.

WHAT CAUSES FIBROID GROWTH?

There is a lot of research to be done in this field. 

There is no known cause to fibroid growth but this growth has been attributed to hormonal activities in women because the growth is discovered at a time where the estrogen and progesterone levels of women are higher.

Other medical researchers attribute this to genetics, in that if one's family has records of fibroid growth, the lady has a higher chance of getting fibroid

Being obese or overweight can also increase one's risk to having fibroid growth. (MedicalNewsToday)

Functions of Estrogen and Progesterone

These are hormones found in women and they regulate the functioning of the uterus, ovulation processes and menstrual cycles.

CAN FIBROID GROW IN SIZE? ☹️☹️

Yes they can but this is not the case of every woman with fibroid. The fibroid can spread in and around the uterus (Multiple fibroid) or grow at a specific location in the uterus

With some women the growth remains the same while with others the growth keeps increasing with time. And there is no exact time for the fibroid to grow. it can grow rapidly or slowly depending on the immune system of the individual. So its best to seek medical attention immediately you  realise you have such an issue.

The sizes of fibroid vary. They can grow from a peanut size to as large as 5 to 6 inches as a melon, Mayo Clinic reports. 
When it gets too big the only option will be surgery. But you also use healthy medications and supplements to support quick healing and regulate hormones to prevent further growth.

peanut

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                                                        melon

TYPES OF FIBROID

Fibroid growth has been classified into four types. And these types are dependent on the location of the fibroid in the womb.

The types are:

• INTRAMURAL FIBROID : This is the most common type of fibroid and its found in the muscular uterine wall

• SUBMUCOSAL FIBROID: This type of fibroid can remain undetected or hidden for sometime because of where it is location in the womb. It is found in the uterine cavity and can alter the functioning of the womb to control menstrual bleeding and can cause one to bleed heavily during periods

• SUBSEROSAL FIBROID: This type of fibroid usually projects outside of the womb and can grow very big. According to the National Institute of Health, this type of fibroid can cause difficulty in urination or bowel functioning, lower back pain and severe pain.

• CERVICAL FIBROID: They are found at the neck of the womb which is known as cervix

SYMPTOMS

Many women may go about their daily activities without experiencing any symptoms. But 1 among 3 women may experience changes and some signs which include

• Heavy menstrual bleeding
• Anaemic or weak ( due to excess flow of blood)
• irregular menstrual flow
• Abdominal pain
• Depression
• Severe pain
• big tummy
• weight gain
• pelvic pressure
• frequent urination
• difficulty in bowel function or urination

COMPLICATIONS

Sometimes complications may arise for people with issues of fibroid. Let's answer some questions that are frequently asked

• Can Fibroid cause miscarriages?

Yes. This is true. For some women the location of the fibroid can lead to frequent miscarriages. And this occurs within the first trimester of the pregnancy,Mayo Clinic Reports

• Can fibroid cause fertility issues?

Fibroid growth may result in difficulty getting pregnant. For some women, the sperms after intercourse swim out because the fallopian tubes are blocked.(Mayo Clinic reports)

• Can one be pregnant and still have fibroid?

It is possible to be pregnant and still have fibroid. Pregnancy with fibroid can cause problems for the baby or cause pre-term labor or the woman may undergo cesarean section (US Office of Women's Health)

• Can fibroid shrink?

Usually fibroid shrinks after menopause where is the low production of estrogen or progesterone.

But its growth and hormonal activities can be regulated before menopause(US office of Women's Health).

REFERENCES

• Mayo Clinic
• National Institute of Health
• MedicalNewsToday
• US Office of Women's Health

 Gertrude Addai-Minkah

                                              Women's Health GH