How To Manage Myomas
Leiomyomas, myomas or uterine fibroids are common in women above 30, especially those who have never been pregnant. They are also known as fibroids, but this is a misleading term because myomas are made of muscle cells and not fibrous tissue.
“As many as three out of four women have uterine fibroids, but most are unaware of them because they often cause no symptoms. Your doctor may discover them incidentally during a pelvic exam or prenatal ultrasound,” according to the Mayo Clinic.
Although their exact cause is unknown, myomas appear to be influenced by the female hormone estrogen which is made in the ovaries, and the human growth hormone. These smooth muscle tumors shrink or disappear after menopause following a decrease in the body’s estrogen production.
Symptoms include a heavy feeling in the abdomen, backache, constipation, frequent urination, pain, menorrhagia (excessive bleeding during menstruation), dysmenorrhea (painful periods) and dyspareunia (difficult or painful intercourse). While myomas are often benign, they can cause trouble depending on their size, location and the patient’s general health.
“In general, uterine fibroids cause no problems and seldom require treatment. Medical therapy and surgical procedures can shrink or remove fibroids if you have discomfort or troublesome symptoms. Rarely, fibroids can require emergency treatment if they cause sudden, sharp pelvic pain,” said the Mayo Clinic.
However, if they are near the cervix, fibroids can make childbirth difficult and lead to hemorrhage or abortion. If they block the Fallopian tube, they can cause sterility.
A doctor’s advice is needed to determine whether you can safely get pregnant if you have a uterine myoma. Small tumors can easily be removed, but large ones may require hysterectomy (the surgical removal of the uterus). In the latter, pregnancy is impossible.
“Research indicates that pregnant women with fibroids are at slightly increased risk of miscarriage, premature labor and delivery, abnormal fetal position, and separation of the placenta from the uterine wall. But not all studies confirm these associations. Furthermore, complications vary based on the number, size and location of fibroids. Multiple fibroids and large submucosal fibroids that distort the uterine cavity are the type most likely to cause problems. A more common complication of fibroids in pregnancy is localized pain, typically between the first and second trimesters. This is usually easily treated with pain relievers,” warned the Mayo Clinic.
To monitor tumor growth, a woman should have a pelvic examination every six to 12 months even though she doesn’t have symptoms of the disease. A woman whose uterus is as big as a six-month normal uterus by the 16th week of pregnancy can usually get along without surgery. However, if the myoma grows to the size of a five-month uterus by the ninth week of pregnancy, fetal growth is affected and spontaneous abortion may occur.
Tumors which press against the Fallopian tube may cause ectopic pregnancy. But most myomas don’t cause any trouble except the enlargement of the uterus. Consult a doctor about this.
Early research suggests that athletic women have a lower risk of fibroids but this has not been confirmed by other studies. Nevertheless, the benefits of exercise are well documented and it can ease backaches, tone muscles, and help pregnant women sleep better.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
QUESTION:
34 weeks,short cervix, 2 fibroids also. Has anyone else experienced this?
I am 34 weeks pregnant and I have 2 fibroid tumors inside of me, one was the size of a 20 weeks fetus the last time he checked when I was around 27 weeks. No one thinks that I am going to make it to the due date of 7/24/07. The baby is measuring normal and she is 5 pounds. I do have a short cervix I was also told. Has anyone else experienced this?
-
ANSWER:
Hey I’ve same problem as you. I have many fibroids inside my uterus and I’m 26 weeks pregnant. My fibroids are as big as the size of 20 weeks pregnancy. This is my first time pregnancy.Doctor found the fibroids 2 years back and I had a surgery at that time. Doctor could remove 28 fibroids! But unfortunately just in 1 year they grew back. I never thought I would be pregnant but I’m really lucky.
Now my tummy looks really big, I’ve lot of stretch marks. But doctor said my ultrasound shows that my baby is alright, baby is growing well. My only hope is that my baby born well. My doctor said I have to take surgery to give birth of the baby.
Best of luck to you too. I hope your baby will be born without any problem.
-
-
QUESTION:
Tumors/fibroids blocking cervix?
This may sound a little odd, but is it possible for a tumor or fibroid to block the cervical opening–making it impossible for menstrual blood to pass? If so, would your body continue to try and have periods, even though there is a build-up of menstrual fluid?-
ANSWER:
-
-
QUESTION:
i had my uterus removed because of fibroids now everytime i have to poop it feels like my cervix is gonna fall?-
ANSWER:
-
-
QUESTION:
Fibroids and high level of fluid in cervix?
I have just had a scan and the nurse is referring me back to my GP…she told me that my scan showed fibroids and a high level of fluid in my cervix…I recently had a smear and the results came back OK….I am 37 and have never had children…I had been suffering painful, heavy periods since I was 10 years old and 4 years ago the consultant at the hospital rsaid I had edometriosis and recommended a D&C scrap and had the coil fitted about 4 years ago, which I though would stop fibroids, heavy bleeding etc…
Now it appears that fibroids have grown in any case….
I don’t want children and at the age of 37 if I wanted children I would have had them by now…will the dr’s recommend a hysterectomy as it seems the coil hasdone nothing to prevent the fibroids?
Has anyone had a similar experience and what did the dr recommend?
-
ANSWER:
If you do not want children then hysterectomy should treat your fibroids. However do not opt for any other form of fibroids surgery since all with the exception of hysterectomy only provide temporary fibroid cure. there are other options for uterine fibroids treatment like natural treatment for fibroids. This type of treatment concentrates on dietary alterations. lifestyle changes and liver detoxification to shrink fibroids naturally.
http://ezinearticles.com/?Fibroids-Friendly-Diet—A-Crucial-Aspect-of-Uterine-Fibroids-Treatment&id=4655634
-
-
QUESTION:
Can i still get pregnant with fibroids in cervix?
** sorry so long.. very sad.. ** serious help please as i am trying to be realistic and book a second opinion! **
i am 42 and had my fertility workup. In the meeting she mentioned i had multiple fibroids , imtramural fibroids within the endocervical canal and the uterus sees larger then normal. 3.8 cm and 5.4 cm and the rest they can’t really measure due to shadowing? I really am nervous as the doctor is suggesting surgery to remove but i am afraid time is running out as we are at the reproductive doctors office. She says she can’t see follicles in left ovary and i am wondering if it is because of the fibroids. Tsh is low but we are working with the Thryoid doctor becuase my thyroid was extremely high. She suggests after the surgery try egg donations due to my egg reserve is low . My estridiol is 144 ? she didn’t say i was post menopausal just to come back after surgery if they can repair my uterous? My doctor whom i got two months of clomid did not mention my uterus a issue. There were still fibroids. Do i need a second opinion. The surgery will take six weeks off us trying to conceive. I am worried because i thought there would be more things to do to help conceive. I still don’t know why i am not ovulating at all just now we are requested to see a egg doner. We tried clomid for two months of course i did see the lines but i did notice slipper ** sorry tmi** but the ultrasound.. ( i had no idea you had to be there on certan days) i don’t know if it was too late or what. ON the 14th day the doctor was like just go to the repro doctor. NOthing about cervix. egg donation is quite a bit .. i am wondering is it even feasible to get pregnant at all. That was not mentioned as well.-
ANSWER:
-
Fibroids In The Uterus Symptoms
Can Diet Help With Fibroids In The Uterus? What To Eat And Drink Fibroids in the uterus are very common and affect many women during childbearing years. This non-cancerous, solid tumor can grow in the womb. Many women ask, “can diet help with fibroids in the uterus?” and the answer is that it can, but […]
What Do Fibroids Look Like On An Ultrasound
Ovarian Cysts – What They Are And How They Affect You If you have experienced ovarian cysts at one time or another, they either went away on their own or they caused you significant pain and discomfort. In order to plan the best way of action, you need information on ovarian cysts – what they […]
Natural Cure For Fibroids
Natural Cures for fibroids – Natural Foods To Help Shrink and cure Fibroids Early detection of uterine fibroids is beneficial to cure women suffering from it simply because fibroids natural cure could be actually available right at their homes, and they can make use of these to prevent the progress of the condition. These natural cure will […]
Apple Cider Vinegar For Fibroids
Apple Cider Vinegar and fibroids, Is Apple Cider Vinegar Safe? Uterine polyps are benign growths that develop in the lining of the uterus. They are usually found during routine pelvic exams. Some women experience pain when these polyps grow large enough to cause discomfort. Although natural apple cider vinegar and the cure for fibroids are thought […]