Uterine fibroids

What are uterine fibroids?

Uterine fibroids grow in or on the uterus. Small fibroids do not require treatment, but large ones may require medical therapy or surgery.

Fibroids are very common growths. They affect 40 to 80% of women and are most common in people between the ages of 30 and 50. Fibroids are not common in girls who have not yet started menstruating or in women who have gone through menopause.

Large fibroids can cause the following symptoms:

• Heavy or painful bleeding during menstruation;

• Bleeding between periods;

• Bloating and a feeling of fullness in the lower abdomen;

• Frequent urination;

• Pain during intercourse;

• Lower back pain;

• Constipation;

• Chronic vaginal discharge;

• A feeling that the bladder has not been emptied;

• The patient has difficulty urinating;

• The abdomen is so swollen that a person may think that you are pregnant.

Visually, fibroids are round in shape, although in some clinical cases the growth takes on a mushroom-like appearance.

The exact cause of uterine fibroids is unknown, although doctors believe that the role of hormones is noteworthy. In a large percentage of clinical cases, fibroids form during the reproductive age.

Risk factors are:

• Obesity and high body mass index;

• A family history of fibroids;

• Not having children;

• Starting first menstruation at an early age;

• Starting menopause late.

Source:

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9130-uterine-fibroids