What are fibroids and how to treat them?

25 out of 100 women reading this article will have fibroids. Yes, it is that common. Women are diagnosed with fibroids either through an ultrasound which they have done for some other reason or when they go to a gynaecologist with heavy bleeding or pain during periods or some other symptoms. 

What are fibroids?

Fibroids are benign outgrowths from the wall of the uterus or wall of the womb. 

Types of fibroids : 

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1. Subserous: If the fibroids come out from the outer wall of the womb.

2. Intramural:  If it comes from the middle or muscle layer of the womb. 

3. Submucous: If it comes from the inner wall of the womb which bleeds during menstruation.

It is important to know the types of fibroids because it determines how active or how symptom producing a fibroid is. 

Symptoms of fibroids:

• Heavy flow during periods
• Pain during periods
• Pain while having sex 
• Frequent urination
• Sometimes constipation
• Dull nagging pain in the lower tummy
• The feeling of fullness or heaviness in the lower tummy
• Fertility issues 

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Fibroids can also be asymptomatic. 

Treatments available are in the form of:

• Medications 
• Injection
• A process of burning or melting fibroids with gas particles is a process called Uterine. 
• Focused MRI 
• Surgery 

When do you need to treat?

• If they are giving you heavy bleeding or pain during sex
• If bleeding is causing a drop in your haemoglobin or leaving you very fatigued 
• If the fibroid is submucosal 
• If the fibroid is more than 5cm
• Always, if the fibroid is more than 6cm

When can medicine work effectively?

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• If they are small that is less than 5cm
• If you are close to menopause 
• If you have recurrent fibroids 

The word surgery is scary but sometimes that is the only and best available treatment.

The word surgery is scary but sometimes that is the only and best available treatment.When is surgery needed?

If the fibroids are more than 7-8cm

• If the fibroid is large enough to give the pressure in the water bag or the poop bag
• If it is near the pipe that carries urine from the kidney to the water bag
• If it comes in the way of fertility
• When the fibroids get damaged or rotten
• If the fibroids suddenly grow in size
• If the fibroids are cancerous
• If the fibroids do not shrink in size after menopause

Fibroid surgery is not that complicated surgery, it's a common and simple surgery. You have the right to understand and to be informed about what is going on in your body. The more informed you are, the better equipped you will be to participate in the decision-making along with your doctor.