Fibroids And Its Symptoms
Fibroids ( also known as uterine fibromyoma, Leiomyoma and myoma) are growths or benign tumours that form inside the uterus.The actual cause of fibroids is not quite known yet, even though it does affect 4 out 10 women over the age of 40.Fibroids are associated with infertility, miscarriage and premature labour lengthy and painful periods.
Symptoms :
Abdominal swelling – if your belly is bulging out, but it feels hard when you touch it, this is a common symptom of fibroids. Many women with fibroids look pregnant when they are not, and find that the swelling gets worse over time.
Heavy menstruation – if you find that you’re constantly having to change your super plus tampons, or night time sanitary towels are not enough during your period, this is also a sign that fibroids are causing abnormal bleeding. Some bleeding can be so bad that blood transfusions are needed.
Abnormal bleeding – in addition to heavy bleeding, you may find that you’re spotting in between periods, or your periods are lasting 6 or more days. Some women also pass lots of heavy black clots in their menstrual blood.
Vaginal bleeding after menopause – women who have gone through menopause may experience bleeding after several years of not having periods.
Back pain, or pain in the back of the legs – women with fibroids sometimes experience pain in seemingly unrelated places. This is because the nerves that link the uterus to the brain are located near the nerves for the back and legs.
Cramps – fibroids can cause strong spasms, as the uterus recognizes them as foreign body that it needs to expel. It can feel to some women like they are going into labour, and the pain can be so bad that painkillers will not take it away.
Pelvic pain – this can come in the form of a constant dull ache, to sharp pains, depending on the type of fibroid. Some fibroids can compress other organs, and cause them to feel under pressure as well.
Urinary problems – women with large fibroids may experience frequent urination, as the fibroid presses on the bladder, or difficulty urinating, if the fibroid is blocking any part of the urinary system.
Constipation – fibroids pressing on the colon can prevent regular bowel movements, cause painful digestion, and are easily mistaken for irritable bowel syndrome. If you’re in a relationship, fibroids can also cause painful intercourse, depending on where the fibroid is located.
Infertility and miscarriage – fibroids can get in the way of conception, and having a healthy pregnancy. They can block fallopian tubes, prevent implantation from taking place, or in pregnant women, interfere with fetal development, or cause the uterus to spasm and miscarriage.
Before deciding on fibroids treatment, it is essential to consider the following:-
* The size of the fibroids
* The location of the fibroids
* If you are near to the menopause
* Whether you would like to have more/any children
* If the fibroids cause you any problems
Frequently Asked Questions
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QUESTION:
Bleeding/Period nearly 5 years after menopause. Abnormal?
My mother has just started bleeding after not having had a period for nearly 5 years. She had irregular bleeding (peri menopause) for two or three years then had her last period in December 2003. She is 57 years old. Yesterday, she started having what looks like an ordinary period. It is not spotting, its quite heavy, the way her periods were before menopause. She also says she had pre-menstrual symptoms like swollen breasts and bloating for a few days before the bleed started.She thinks it is normal and says it is because she has been taking evening primrose capsules lately.
I don’t think its normal at all and I’m quite worried. She has never had fibroids, but both her older sisters have them, and she hasn’t really had a proper gynaecological (sp?) exam in years; not since her periods stopped. I think she should go to the doctor but she’s hearing none of it.
Have any of you had a similar experience? Should I be worried? Any advice appreciated, I’m really worried!
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ANSWER:
Here is an easy and important answer to a long question. ALL post-menopausal bleeding MUST be investigated to exclude serious causes including tumours. The sooner she sees her GP and has a smear, examination and possibly referral the better.
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QUESTION:
Relative has fibroids/ ovarian cyst (fluid filled) after ultrasound. Doc said ‘nothing indicitive of cancer’-?
…but he still did the endometrial biopsy. Thickened uterine wall with symptoms of longer periods- in the middle of menopause. Could this be a benign condition?-
ANSWER:
Yes it can be and apparently it is.
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QUESTION:
menstruation again after menopausal period?
My mother has just started bleeding after not having had a period for nearly 5 years. She had irregular bleeding (peri menopause) for two or three years then had her last period in December 2003. She is 57 years old. Yesterday, she started having what looks like an ordinary period. It is not spotting, its quite heavy, the way her periods were before menopause. She also says she had pre-menstrual symptoms like swollen breasts and bloating for a few days before the bleed started.She thinks it is normal and says it is because she has been taking evening primrose capsules lately.
I don’t think its normal at all and I’m quite worried. She has never had fibroids, but both her older sisters have them, and she hasn’t really had a proper gynaecological (sp?) exam in years; not since her periods stopped. I think she should go to the doctor but she’s hearing none of it.
Have any of you had a similar experience? Should I be worried? Any advice appreciated, I’m really worried!
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ANSWER:
You know what to do. Take her to the doctor as soon as possible. Check the link out.
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