Treating fibroid in women

Fibroids are growths of tissue that are usually found in the wall of the uterus, or womb. They are made of a mixture of muscle tissue from the uterus and threadlike fibers of connective tissue. Although they are called tumors, fibroids are not cancerous.  Dr Chito Nwana, Consultant Gynaecologist and Obstetrician at the Tabitha Women’s […]

Fibroids are growths of tissue that are usually found in the wall of the uterus, or womb. They are made of a mixture of muscle tissue from the uterus and threadlike fibers of connective tissue. Although they are called tumors, fibroids are not cancerous.  Dr Chito Nwana, Consultant Gynaecologist and Obstetrician at the Tabitha Women’s Health, Maitama  say fibroid is common amongst black women. “Some research show eight out of ten black women are seen to have fibroid. But when women have issues with infertility, people say, she has fibroid. Meanwhile, fibroid may not be the reason for the infertility because it depends on the location and the size of the fibroid. With fibroid, some women still have children and for some women, it lowers their chance of fertility.  Any fibroid that positioned were it can affect the side of the womb may affect fertility. But the truth is, it is so easy to remove fibroid so the woman can have children.  But then, some fibroid grow back. But I don’t touch fibroid except it is bordering the patient.” Nwana explains.

The cause of fibroids some experts say is unknown. However, Nwana says female hormones such as estrogens and progesterone in a woman’s body can stimulate the growth of fibroid. That is why when some women get to menopause and the ovaries shut down, the fibroid shrink.

A fibroid starts as a single muscle cell in the uterus. For reasons that are not known, this cell changes into a fibroid tumor cell and starts to grow and multiply. Heredity may be a factor.

Fibroids range in size from seedlings, undetectable by the human eye, to bulky masses that can distort and enlarge the uterus. They can be single or multiple, in extreme cases expanding the uterus so much that it reaches the rib cage.

Symptoms of fibroid may be as follows.

Heavy or long menstrual periods: Periods may last more than seven days and menstrual flow may be very heavy. Some women find they need to change sanitary napkins or tampons so often that they cannot function normally during their period. Heavy menstrual flow can sometimes lead to anemia.

Pressure on other organs. Large fibroids may press on organs in the pelvis.

If fibroids press on the bladder, a woman may feel the urge to urinate frequently. She may pass only small amounts of urine and she may feel as though she has not completely emptied her bladder.

If fibroids press on the bowel, she may feel constipated or full after eating only a small amount of food.

Pain in the pelvis: the pressure of large fibroids on other organs may cause pain in the pelvis.

Treatment offered for fibroids will depend on whether or not the fibroids are causing any problems.

If fibroids are not causing problems, they may need no treatment apart from regular medical checkups. This is called watchful waiting. The doctor examines a woman two or three times a year to see if the fibroids are growing and if they are beginning to cause problems. If the doctor cannot feel the woman’s ovaries during a pelvic exam, ultrasound should be performed once a year.

Surgery is the standard treatment for fibroids that are causing pain, heavy or lengthy menstrual bleeding, or other problems. There are two main types of surgery for fibroids. Which is better for you depends on your age, how big your fibroids are, where they are, and whether you want to have children.

Surgery to take out the fibroids is called mymectomy. Your doctor may suggest it if you hope to get pregnant or just want to keep your uterus. It may improve your chances of having a baby. But it does not always work, and fibroids may grow back.

Surgery to take out your uterus is called hysterectomy. This is the most common surgery for fibroids. And it is the only way to make sure that fibroids will not come back. Your symptoms will go away, but you will not be able to get pregnant.