Fibroids are benign tumors of the uterus, which can cause cramps, heavy menstrual bleeding, and pregnancy complications. Fibroids occur in as many as 75 percent of women and are rarely cancerous. Even though they are not cancerous, the myriad of symptoms they produce is extremely uncomfortable and distressing for the patient. However, in this day and age, with the advances in therapeutic options, there is no reason to endure fibroids. Reach out now to the top Gynecologist in Karachi and get a treatment regimen for yourself.
What are the Types of Fibroids?
Fibroids are generally classified according to their location in the uterus. Fibroids can grow in the outer surface of the uterus, in the wall of the uterus, inside the uterine lining, or under the endometrium. Some fibroids can even extend to the exterior through a stalk called a pedicle.
What are the Symptoms of Fibroids?
Fibroids produce symptoms like heavy menstrual bleeding, backache, frequent urination, pelvic pressure, difficulty in emptying the bladder, and periods lasting more than a week.
Help from the healthcare provider should be sought for pain that doesn’t go away, for overly prolonged bleeding, or for bleeding between periods, and unexplained anemia. If you have sudden vaginal bleeding or pelvic pain, it’s important that you seek prompt medical care.
Why do Fibroids Occur?
While the exact cause of fibroids is not understood, it is thought that genetics play a factor in fibroid development. Additionally, the chances of having fibroids increase if your close relations like mother, sister or aunt have them.
Usually, fibroids occur in women of reproductive age group, especially in those who have early onset of menarche. The chances are also higher in obese women, women with a propensity towards eating more red meat and fewer greens, women with vitamin D deficiency as well as those who have a high intake of alcoholic beverages.
Treatment Options for Fibroids
A combination of medical and surgical therapy is available for fibroids.
Medical treatment: includes medicines like oral contraceptives, which attenuate the fibroid-related symptoms. The heavy bleeding and bleeding between cycles can be diminished through estrogens and progestins. While these drugs are excellent options for fibroid symptom management, they are not a permanent cure.
Endometrial ablation: this is a minor procedure that includes destruction of the inner-most layer of the uterus. The goal of therapy is to decrease the amount of uterine bleeding. Usually, this option is more feasible for women who have completed childbearing because the chances of the fetus embedding in the endometrium become very little after this procedure.
Myomectomy: is the surgical procedure involved in removing the fibroids, without the removal of the uterus. This is the treatment option for women who want to have children in the future. A variety of techniques are available for the removal of fibroids, including minimally invasive ones.
A hysteroscope can help in incisionless myomectomy. A hysteroscope is a miniature camera inserted through the cervix into the uterine cavity to incise the fibroid. Alternatively, a traditional open abdominal incision can be given to remove the fibroid.
Hysterectomy: is the treatment for women who have completed child-bearing and removes both the uterus and the fibroids.
For the treatment option that suits you best, get a health check-up, and risk assessment from Best Gynecologist in Karachi.
