What Are Fibroids?

What are uterine fibroids? Uterine fibroids ( a.k.a. fibromyomas, leimyomas or myomas) are “garden variety” tumors made of smooth muscle cells that occur in the uterus during the ovulating years. Uterine fibroids are not malignant, not related to cancer, but are classified as a type of tumor. They often go unnoticed by many women and have been known to shrink after menopause. Fibroid tumors occur more often in the African-American community and are rarely seen in young women 20 years old or younger.

Depending on where in the uterus the growth is located, it may be given different names. It is possible for fibroids to grow either inside or outside of the uterus. If the growth is in the uterine cavity it is referred to as a submucous fibroid. Any growths on the outer wall of the uterus are called subserous fibroids. Sometimes the growths can become so enlarged that they can be located both inside and outside the uterine cavity, in which case they may be classified into both groups.

The scientific causes of fibroids are not known, but it seems that the levels of estrogen hormone do cause a reaction. When estrogen levels are high, such as during the years of childbearing age, fibroids tend to grow larger. When estrogen levels decrease, the fibroids shrink.

One alternative theory relates the causes of fibroids includes to environmental toxins. Some toxins can cause reactions in the body similar to the effects of estrogen, and this may cause fibroids to grow rapidly. This can occur even in post-menopausal women.

While the condition is often unnoticed, it can be problematic, and even dangerous at times. Difficulties caused by fibroids can include difficulty in getting pregnant or infertility, inability to carry a child to term or miscarriage, pain and/or bleeding. Infertility is caused by a compression of the uterus, and miscarriages are caused by the filled uterine cavity having spasms. The most common sign is a heavy period. If the uterine fibroids are very large they can even cause symptoms associated with other organs in the body such as the bowel and bladder. These large fibroids are usually the most serious.

When looking to have fibroids diagnosed, a doctor can feel them during any routine pelvic exam. They may also be found during an ultrasound. The treatment for fibroids often includes estrogen therapy using drugs. Unfortunately some of these drugs, which can prevent pregnancy, also have undesirable side effects. In cases of very large fibroids, with severe symptoms, doctors will use more drastic treatments, such as myomectomies, to remove the fibroid, or artery embolization in the uterus to stop blood supply to the fibroids. In the most extreme cases a doctor may even recommend a hysterectomy.

Hysterectomies are a permanent fix to problematic fibroids. However, as with any surgical procedure there are risks to be considered. Once this step is taken it cannot be reversed. There can be danger in damaging nearby organs and structures during surgery or fibroid growth post-hysterectomy in the space left behind or on any pieces of uterus remaining. Your health is affected for the rest of your life as hormone therapy is needed to correct the lack from your uterus.

Thankfully, there are alternative therapies out there for women to consider when dealing with fibroids. It depends on the symptoms and the severity of the case, but herbal supplements can help in shrinking fibroids and decreasing their symptoms. Body cleansing is another option. This allows you to clear the body of all toxins which may cause the fibroids to grow.