Fibroids

Fibroids are abnormal growths that develop in or on a woman’s womb during childbearing years. The cause is not well understood, but family history, pregnancy and early onset puberty are significant risk factors. Symptoms include severe abdominal pain and heavy periods. In some cases, there may be no symptoms at all.

Symptoms of fibroids may include heavy bleeding between or during your periods that include blood clots. Other symptoms may be:

• Pain in the pelvis or lower back.
• Increased cramps during menses (periods).
• The urge to urinate more often than usual.
• Pain during sexual intercourse.
• Menstruation that lasts longer than usual.
• A feeling of pressure or fullness in your lower abdomen.
• Swelling or enlargement of the abdomen.

Uterine fibroids are caused by a combination of genes, hormones and growth factors.

African women are at increased risk for developing fibroids if they have one or more of the following risks:

• If you are pregnant.
• If you have a family history of fibroids.
• If you are 30 years or older.
• If you are overweight.

See your doctor if you have:

• Pain in the lower part of your abdomen (pelvic area) that doesn't go away.
• Overly heavy, prolonged or painful periods.
• Spotting or bleeding between periods.
• Difficulty emptying your bladder.
• You have too few red blood cells (anaemia).

Seek prompt medical care if you have severe vaginal bleeding or sharp pains in your pelvic area that comes on suddenly.

You can't prevent fibroids, but choosing a healthy lifestyle can reduce your risk for the condition. By making healthy lifestyle choices, such as maintaining a normal weight and eating enough fruits and vegetables, you may be able to decrease your risk of having fibroids.

If you have fibroids, you may or may not need treatment. It depends on whether they cause you any problems. Not all fibroids grow. Even large ones may not cause any symptoms, and most shrink after menopause (mostly after 45 years or older). Still, you and your doctor should check on their growth, especially if you develop symptoms like bleeding or pain.  You should at least get pelvic exams every year.

Treatments to reduce large fibroids use medicines to shrink the fibroids or control the bleeding and pain. If you have a large fibroid or many fibroids, you may require surgery to remove fibroids (myomectomy).

You may not need treatment if your fibroids are small or do not affect your health. Treatment is effective when required, and recovery may take few weeks to months. If you are diagnosed with fibroids when pregnant or become pregnant when you have fibroids, your healthcare provider will monitor your health.

Most people who have surgery can get pregnant within a year of their surgery. If you decide to become pregnant, be sure to discuss this with your healthcare provider.