Understanding Uterine Fibroids: Causes, Symptoms, and Diagnosis

 

Uterine fibroids are tumors that grow on your uterus. These tumors have muscles and are medically known as leiomyomas or myomas. Fibroid tumors are rarely cancerous and do not increase your chances of getting uterine cancer. The tumors can be extremely small, almost invisible to the naked eye to being large enough to change the size and shape of your uterus. Now that you know what uterine fibroids are, let’s understand fibroid causes, uterine fibroid symptoms, and how you can take care of your uterine health with fibroid diagnosis.

A Look Into Uterine Fibroids

Uterine fibroids grow on your uterus and can even appear on the uterine wall or its surface. These tumors generally occur in women between the ages of 30 to 40. However, they can appear on women of any childbearing age. 

The fibroids can occur in any number and range in sizes that are too small to see by the naked eye or large enough to distort the size and shape of your uterus. Another important thing for you to know is that uterine fibroids can appear on your uterus's surface, inside the uterus, or even in the uterine lining. 

They can also attach to your uterus by a stalk- or stem-like structure. These are some of the most important factors of uterine fibroids you should know about, now let’s take a look at the different causes of uterine fibroids.

Causes of Uterine Fibroids

Experts are not sure about the specific cause of uterine fibroids. However, it has been established that genetics and hormonal changes may increase your risk of getting uterine fibroids. Here are some of the most commonly reported causes of uterine fibroids.

• Extracellular Matrix: Extracellular Matrix or ECM is a cause of uterine fibroids. It causes cells to stick together. Fibroids have more ECM than regular cells, which makes them ropey and fibrous. ECM also stores growth factors, which spur cell growth and eventually it cause cells to change.
   
• Genetics: Genetics plays an important role in the development of uterine fibroids. Studies have shown that if fibroids run in the immediate family, namely the mother or sister, it increases your risk of getting uterine fibroids.
   
• Hormones: The two female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone are also linked to the development of fibroids. During the menstrual cycle, these hormones stimulate the growth of the uterine lining. However, in case of overproduction of these hormones, it can lead to the growth of fibroids. Sudden hormonal changes caused during pregnancy or perimenopause can also influence the growth of fibroids. During pregnancy, the estrogen and progesterone levels are elevated, which can lead to an increase in the growth of fibroids. During perimenopause, the fluctuations in hormone levels can also instigate fibroid growth.
   
• Diet: People who have a diet that is rich in red meat and low in green vegetables run a risk of uterine fibroids. Having fruits and dairy products in your diet lowers your risk of getting fibroids. Similarly, certain dietary factors influence fibroid growth.
   
• Obesity: People who have obesity are at a higher risk of uterine fibroids. This is mainly because fat cells produce estrogen in the female body. Increased levels of estrogen can cause fibroid development.
   
• Age: Age is also a risk factor for uterine fibroids as women between the ages of 30 and 40 are at the highest risk of getting uterine fibroids. As menopause sets in and the levels of estrogen and progesterone drop in the body, the fibroids also shrink by themselves.
   
• Other Factors: Insulin-like growth factors in the body can promote the growth of uterine fibroids. These substances in your body help with tissue upkeep generally.

Symptoms of Uterine Fibroids

Uterine fibroids have very mild symptoms or even no symptoms in most cases. Women with fibroids often don’t realize they have them until a pelvic exam or prenatal ultrasound. However, symptoms can appear for uterine fibroids and its severity can vary from person to person. Here are some of the most common symptoms of uterine fibroids.

• Menstrual Symptoms: Menstrual symptoms of uterine fibroids include painful periods with heavy bleeding that lasts for several days. Prolonged periods that go beyond your regular cycle can be an indication of uterine fibroids if it happen repeatedly. Similarly, extremely heavy periods that can potentially cause anemia is also an important symptom of uterine fibroids. Do note that these are extreme scenarios and proper medical attention is required in case such symptoms arise.
   
• Pelvic Pain: Pelvic pain and pressure are also common symptoms of uterine fibroids. In cases where uterine fibroids grow large, it can cause a dull aching pain in the person’s pelvic region. Pressure on the lower abdominal region is also experienced in such cases. Apart from a dull aching pelvic pain, pelvic pain during intercourse is also a common symptom of uterine fibroids. If you experience pain during intercourse regularly, you should seek medical help to understand the underlying cause.
   
• Pregnancy Complications: Uterine fibroids have the potential to change the shape and size of the uterus. This can have effects on your fertility and even lead to pregnancy complications. While the complications aren’t too serious physiologically, it increase your chances of having to go through cesarean delivery during childbirth. Similarly, large fibroids can block the fallopian tubes, which can lead to problems with fertility. It is important that you go through proper medical checkups and understand the underlying causes if you are going through these symptoms.
   
• Frequent Urination: Frequent urination as well as increased urination urgency and inability to completely void bladder are all symptoms of uterine fibroids. When the fibroids grow larger they press up against the bladder, which can lead to all the symptoms mentioned above.
   
• Backache & Leg Pain: This is a rare symptom, but it can indicate that you may have large uterine fibroids. In such cases, the fibroids can press against the nerves in your back. This can lead to dull back pain or leg pain, which may indicate uterine fibroids.

How Are Uterine Fibroids Diagnosed?

Uterine fibroids are diagnosed using a variety of diagnostic and imaging tests. But at first, the initial diagnosis is done only using a regular pelvic exam during gynecological checkups. If doctors notice that there is something irregular in the shape of your uterus, they may order additional tests to properly diagnose the cause. Here are some of the tests that are commonly used to diagnose uterine fibroids.

• Blood Test: Initially before imaging tests, doctors can order a regular complete blood count test to confirm their diagnosis. A complete blood count test gives doctors a clear idea if you are suffering from any bleeding disorder or not that may cause symptoms of anemia. If that is the case then doctors can diagnose after physical examination if you have uterine fibroids or not. In some cases, doctors may recommend imaging tests after your blood work is done to confirm the diagnosis.
   
• Ultrasound: Transvaginal or abdominal ultrasound is the best way to get a clear image of your uterus and locate the fibroid. Ultrasound is a non-invasive imaging test and can be performed quickly and is completely safe for the patient. In case a transvaginal ultrasound is required, patients may feel slight discomfort while the test is being performed.
   
• Hysteroscopy: Hysteroscopy is an invasive imaging test, however, it doesn’t require any incisions to be made in the body. A camera scope is inserted into the body through the vagina to take a look at the uterus from the inside. The fallopian tubes and the walls of the uterus are studied during this test to check for the size and location of the fibroid.
   
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): MRI tests are used to get a detailed look at the fibroid and assess its size and location. It is also used by doctors to develop the best course of treatment for large fibroids. However, if patients are close to menopause, doctors may opt to not go for any major treatment processes. MRI tests are also often used if ultrasounds are unable to give a detailed view of the size and location of the fibroid.

Ending Note

Uterine fibroids are generally noncancerous and as such don’t pose any serious threat to your health unless symptoms start appearing. If you are concerned about your fibroid risks or have any of the symptoms mentioned in this article, feel free to check in with our experts at MASSH. Thanks to our team of highly specialized gynecologists, we can help patients diagnose and offer the best uterine fibroids treatment in Delhi without any hassle. Check out our website to learn more about the various treatment options offered for uterine fibroids at MASSH.

Source: https://massh.in/