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God created the masterpiece in the form of “Woman” and then he gave her the responsibility of mankind. She is the most beautiful, loving, caring, inspiring, understanding and strong creatures of the universe. She is so strong and powerful that in India she’s treated as Goddess and offered prayers. Since ancient civilizations and even in our “Epics” she is considered as the Goddess. But it is quite ironical that you, at times, seldom take care of her and are not even aware of common problems she undergoes. She herself is not aware of her bodily problems like – Fibroids. A lot of myths have been associated with the body of a woman and it is passed on from generations to generations. Basic awareness can help women take her care and avoid problems which become life threatening at late stages.

What are Fibroids-?

These are basically non-malignant extra growths or tumors that grow from the inner smooth muscle lining of the uterus. It is approximated that about 20% i.e. 1 in every 5 ladies will get affected once in her lifetime. The fibroids are also known as – myomas or leiomyomas can be of the size of a bean to as big as a watermelon weighing almost 8-9kgs. Women develop them, normally, during the reproductive age and the chances of these happening in women with obesity or who are overweight are more.

Causes- Though definite reasons of their development are still not known but some theories suggest that they may be hereditary. The fibroids swell when the hormone levels (estrogen and progesterone) are high like during the reproductive cycle or pregnancy. The lower levels of these hormones may result n the reduction of Fibroids, like during “Menopause”. Excess intake of alcohol, meat, and caffeine may increase the risk of fibroids and the proper diet with fresh fruits and vegetables may reduce the risk.

Types of Fibroids, Symptoms, and Diagnosis-

There are four types of fibroids namely-

  • Intramural: on the wall of the uterus
  • Subserosal: outside the wall of uterus
  • Submucosal: beneath the lining of uterus
  • Cervical: neck of the uterus

Symptoms- One in three women may have the following symptoms-

  • Anemia
  • Pain in legs
  • Painful Sex
  • Constipation
  • Backache
  • Swelling in lower abdomen
  • Fertility Problems

Diagnosis- As the symptoms are very rare only the vaginal examination can report of a fibroid and the exams are –

  • Ultrasound
  • MRI
  • Hysteroscopy
  • Laparoscopy
  • HSG (Hysterosalpingogram)

Treatment- Treatment can be by two methods – medication or by surgery-

Medication- Administer GnRHA injections which lower the quantities of estrogen in woman’s body thus shrinking the fibroid. Other kinds of medication include the use of – Anti-inflammatory Drugs, Oral Contraceptive Pills, and the use of “Levonorgestrel intrauterine system).

Surgical – The normal procedures of removing the Uterus (Hysterectomy), removing fibroids from the wall of the uterus (Myomectomy), removing the lining of the uterus (Endometrial ablation), or other methods like UAE and Magnetic- resonance-guided focused ultrasound surgery are used to treat fibroids surgically.

Today highly professional doctors, gynecologists, and hospitals are available even in the smallest of the town and treating fibroids are quite simple and the patient recovery is very fast.