Fibroids are nonmalignant tumors in the uterus. Even though they can be annoying they rarely cause any serious complications. The most common group of women having these tumors are those who are over 30 but have not yet reached their menopause.
It is not yet known what causes uterine fibroids, but clinical research indicates there are a few factors that contribute to their development. Fibroids contain alterations in genes that code for uterine muscle cells.
Fibroids have been observed to contain higher amount of estrogen and progesterone than normal muscle cells in uterus. That is why they have been suspected to promote the growth of fibroids. Besides these two hormones, other tissue maintaining substances are suspected to be the factors of development of fibroids.
Most women will develop fibroid tumors sometime during their life, but most do not know they have them because they produce very little symptoms. They are most likely to be discovered during a pelvic exam or prenatal ultrasound. They rarely cause problems or require treatment.
However, if they are rather large and cause some harm, they can be removed or shrinked using medical and surgical approach. If the symptoms are very severe, such as heavy bleeding and intense pain, they may need emergency surgery. However, this is extremely rare.
The symptoms women commonly experience include abdominal fullness or constipation, bleeding between periods, increased need of urination, heavy bleeding during periods, and pelvic cramps or painful periods. Even though these symptoms are usually not dangerous, in the case the symptoms are rather strong you should contact to your physician.
Fibroids can cause pain when they are deprived of blood supply and begin to die. Byproducts from the dying fibroid can seep into the surrounding tissue causing pain and fever. Depending on the amount of pain you are experiencing, you may want to see your doctor.
If the fibroids develop inside of the uterus they can cause increased and prolonged bleeding during menstrual periods. These fibroids can also cause difficulties to get pregnant. When the fibroids are outside of the uterus they can cause for example constipation, difficulties to urinate, increased need of urination, and pain in lower back, depending on their location.
It is important to seek medical attention if you have pelvic pain that doesn’t go away, have unusually long and heavy periods, spotting or bleeding between periods, painful intercourse, difficulty with urination or difficulty with bowel movements. It is imperative that you seek immediate medical attention if you suddenly experience sharp pelvic pain or heavy bleeding.
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