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A fibroid is a benign tumor that mainly consists have muscular tissue
and usually grows inside the uterus.
Fibroids are also called myomas.
Its size ranges widely, from a small tumor the size of a pea
to a large tumor almost the size of the uterus.
Myomas are classified into three types, depending on the location where they are
found.
The intramural myoma, a fibroid that grows
in the muscular wall of the uterus.
This subserosal myoma, a fibroid located just beneath the
outside mucosal covering of the uterus. Here the fibroid projects to the
outside and occasionally remains connected with the uterus
only through a small stalk. The submucosal myoma,
a tumor that grows beneath the surface of the uterus lining.
Therefore, this type of fibroids can grow into the uterine cavity.
The actual causes have development of a fibroid are still unclear.
However, it has been documented that fibroids are associated with high levels
of
estrogen, the female sex hormone.
Fibroids can only developed during reproductive years of women.
Following menopause, the production of estrogen decreases
which will usually cause fibroids to shrink or disappear.
Myomas are more common in non-pregnant and infertile women.
In general, fibroids are asymptomatic
or associated with just a few complaints if any complaints. If any complaints occur,
then the location, size and type of the fibroid are the major factors.
Fibroids can affect nearby structures. They can cause compression of the
bladder,
which may lead to urinary complaints, or may obstruct the intestine,
which may result in constipation. Other complaints can be:
backaches,
abdominal problems, menstrual flow disturbances.
Fibroids can impede normal childbirth, which may require caesarean delivery.
Fibroids relatively more often lead to miscarriages.
Whenever fibroids cause symptoms, they need to be removed
or shrinked.
Medications sometimes cause fibroid to shrink by blocking the production and
secretion of
estrogen.
In other cases, surgery may be required to remove the fibroid.
The type of surgery depends on the location of the fibroid.
Sometimes it's possible to remove the fibroid with the help of the tube
entered through the *** and the procedure is called
hysteroscopic myomectomy.
In other cases, surgery through the abdominal wall may be necessary.
In the case of a large fibroid, hysterectomy may be the only solution.
This option only applies when there is no desire
to have more children. You general practitioner can give you more
information
about the disorder and it's possible treatments.