Fibroids are known to develop along the interior wall of the womb or uterus. Women having fibroids may experience heavy menstrual bleeding, while some may not have any symptoms at all. Based on the symptoms uterine fibroids are treated. Fibroids are common in women in 40s and 50s, with or without symptoms and it is surely difficult to deal with. But how to know if you have fibroids? Here we try to answer this query in detail.
How to Know If You Have Fibroids?
It is very challenging to live with fibroids. Often fibroids remain hidden where symptoms are hardly evident but some women are seen to experience fibroids with apparent symptoms.
Along with heavy menstrual bleeding, some women may experience unbearable pain, since bladders are pressurized so much. There can be frequent urination or rectal pressure. If the fibroids are not treated, they get bigger and can exert pressure upon the stomach area, making the whole area enlarge. Hence the woman often looks like a pregnant woman.
So, how to know if you have fibroids? Here are some common symptoms of fibroids, as experienced by some women.
- Often fibroids trigger heavy bleeding which are sometimes so heavy that it causes anemia. There is severe pain and discomfort in the lower abdomen.
- The lower stomach area is felt abnormally weighty, especially the pelvic area
- The abnormal swelling of lower abdomen looks like baby bumps.
- Frequent urination, even while on regular water intake hints at fibroids growth. This symptom in itself worth considering, so check with your physician, to know if you have fibroids.
- Some women may feel pain while having sex, with large fibroids, making it difficult to have intercourse.
- When there is acute pain in the lower back area, it is wise to consult your physician, to know if you have fibroids. Researchers say that bulky fibroids actually grow on the lower back area.
- Facing difficulties in having pregnancy, irregular labor pain may be some presentations of fibroids. Regular investigations may help to know if you have fibroids, so that proper treatment can be planned.
- If you have problems in conceiving and acing fertility issues, proper check-up is needed to know if you have fibroids.
Factors That Trigger Fibroids
Clinically, the exact cause that triggers fibroids is not clear. However, there are certain factors that may be involved in causing fibroids, in most cases.
Hormones: Some hormones, namely estrogen and progesterone may trigger such health conditions. Hormonal imbalances are common in women and continued problems may contribute to fibroids. Women with hormonal problems, must have regular check-ups to know if you have fibroid. When a woman is moving towards menopause, there is high chance for fibroids. When hormone treatments are used, the growth of fibroids can be controlled.
Genetics: Considering the tendency of fibroids to run through the family, it is possible that a genetic link may have a role in it.
Important facts to know about fibroids, which makes it easy to know if you have fibroids. As it is mentioned fibroids grow along the wall of uterus. Doctors usually divide fibroids in three different groups based on their growth and structure.
- When the fibroids is seen to be developing in the uterine cavity it is known as Submucosal.
- When fibroids is seen to be developing along the interior walls of the uterus it is known as Intramural.
- When fibroids develop along the exterior surface of the uterus it is known as subserosal.
- Now there are some fibroids, which develop along the stalks, which are away from the uterus surface, or they may grow within the uterus cavity. When they grow like this, they look like mushrooms, they are known as pedunculated fibroids.
When you are dealing with the question of how to know if you have fibroids, it is mainly the possible symptoms, clinical examination and investigations. Regular check-ups can help in identifying fibroids even when there are no symptoms. To know if you have fibroids, it is necessary to get scans of the uterus, which gives a clear picture. Once, known the treatment would depend on the type and severity of fibroids.
Treatment Options to Get Rid of Fibroids
Treatment options to get rid of fibroids vary from one woman to the other. You will need to work closely with your healthcare provider to determine what is best for your situation. With proper medication, fibroid symptoms can very well be treated. If you are bleeding heavily you may be advised iron supplement to prevent anemia. It is best to follow medical advice to avoid any further problems.
There are surgical procedures which can very well be tried out, such as myomectomy as well as hysterectomy. These procedures are meant to treat uterine fibroids.
Few women opt for alternatives like Uterine Fibroid Embolization, which is comparatively less invasive procedure that practically prevents blood supply to the benign projections like fibroids.
The possible symptoms and complains are some of the best ways to possibly know if you have fibroids. However, the exact diagnosis is important, which can be achieved by examination and investigation. If you are suffering from the symptoms discussed above, it’s better to visit the health care provider as early as possible.
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