What is Uterine Leiomyoma (Uterine Fibroids)?
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Uterine Fibroids are benign (not cancer) growths that develop from the muscle tissue of the uterus. They also are called leiomyomas or myomas. The size, shape, and location of fibroids can vary greatly. They may be inside the uterus, on its outer surface or within its wall, or attached to it by a stem-like structure. A woman may have only one fibroid or many of varying sizes. A fibroid may remain very small for a long time and suddenly grow rapidly, or grow slowly over a number of years. The cause of uterine leiomyomas remain unknown. A leiomyoma arises from a single neoplastic cell within the smooth muscle of the myometrium. Multiple myomas in the same uterus develop de novo rather than through a metastatic mechanism. The factors responsible for the initial neoplastic transformation of the myometrium to leiomyoma have yet to be elucidated.
Signs and Symptoms
Fibroids may have the following symptoms:-
Changes in menstruation
• Longer, more frequent, or heavy menstrual periods
• Menstrual pain (0063ramps)
• Vaginal bleeding at times other than menstruation
• Anemia (from blood loss)
Pain
• In the abdomen or lower back (often dull, heavy and aching, but may be sharp)
• During sex
Pressure
• Difficulty urinating or frequent urination
• Constipation, rectal pain, or difficult bowel movements
• Abdominal cramps
Enlarged uterus and abdomen
Miscarriages
Infertility
Fibroids that are attached to the uterus by a stem may twist and can cause pain, nausea, or fever. Fibroids that grow rapidly, or those that start breaking down, also may cause pain. Rarely, they can be associated with cancer. A very large fibroid may cause swelling of the abdomen. This swelling can make it hard to do a thorough pelvic exam.
When is necessary for Uterine Leiomyoma (Uterine Fibroids) treatment?
Fibroids that do not cause symptoms, are small, or occur in a woman who is nearing menopause often do not require treatment. Certain signs and symptoms may signal the need for treatment: Heavy or painful menstrual periods that cause anemia or that disrupt a woman’s normal activities; Bleeding between periods; Uncertainty whether the growth is a fibroid or another type of tumor, such as an ovarian tumor; Rapid increase in growth of the fibroid; Infertility and Pelvic pain.
Source:- Uterine Leiomyoma (Uterine Fibroids) Epidemiology