Fibroids Symptoms Causes and Treatment

Uterine fibroids, also known as leiomyomas or myomas, are noncancerous growths that develop in or on the uterus. These benign tumors can vary in size from tiny seedlings to large masses that distort the uterus. Fibroids are common, with many women developing them at some point in their lives, typically during childbearing years.

Symptoms of Uterine Fibroids

While some women with fibroids experience no symptoms, others may have a range of symptoms that can impact their quality of life. Common symptoms include:

1. Heavy Menstrual Bleeding: Prolonged and heavy periods, sometimes with blood clots, are a common symptom.
2. Pelvic Pain and Pressure: Fibroids can cause a feeling of fullness or pressure in the pelvic area, and chronic pelvic pain.
3. Urination: Large fibroids can press on the bladder, leading to a need to urinate more often.
4. Constipation: Pressure on the rectum can cause bowel issues.
5. Back and Leg Pain: Fibroids pressing on nerves can cause pain in the back or legs.
6. Reproductive Issues: Some women may experience difficulty conceiving, pregnancy complications, or recurrent miscarriages.

Causes of Uterine Fibroids

The exact cause of uterine fibroids is not known, but several factors may contribute to their development:

1. Hormones: Estrogen and progesterone, hormones that stimulate the development of the uterine lining during each menstrual cycle, appear to promote the growth of fibroids.
2. Genetics: There is a genetic component, as fibroids often run in families.
3. Growth Factors: Substances that help the body maintain tissues, such as insulin-like growth factor, may affect fibroid growth.

Treatment Options

Treatment for uterine fibroids depends on the severity of symptoms, the size and location of the fibroids, and whether the woman wishes to maintain fertility. Options include:

Medications: Hormonal treatments such as birth control pills, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists, and anti-inflammatory drugs can help manage symptoms.

Non-invasive Procedures: MRI-guided focused ultrasound surgery (FUS) uses high-frequency sound waves to destroy fibroids without surgery.

Minimally Invasive Procedures: Options include uterine artery embolization (UAE), which cuts off the blood supply to the fibroid, and laparoscopic or robotic myomectomy, which removes fibroids while preserving the uterus.

Traditional Surgery: A hysterectomy, the complete removal of the uterus, is a definitive solution for fibroids but is typically reserved for severe cases where other treatments have failed and childbearing is no longer desired.