What are Uterine Fibroids?

During their childbearing years, the uterus of a woman sometimes develops fibrous growth. This can be as small as a seedling, or develop and reach almost the ribcage, creating pressure and discomfort with the increased weight. These fibroids in the uterus are also called leiomyomas (lie-o-my-O-muhs) or myomas. Sometimes uterine fibroids are not detected until a pelvic exam or a prenatal ultrasound, due to lack of symptoms. Depending on the individual case, there may be just one fibroid growth, or there may be multiple. Timely medical intervention is a must, as in some cases it may be the cause of uterine cancer.

What Are Fibroids?

Are you experiencing heavy bleeding between or during your periods? Or you are having pain in the pelvis or lower back? Symptoms such as this, or others like feeling pressure or fullness in the lower abdomen, may indicate that you are suffering from a disorder called fibroids. This condition requires the immediate attention of a specialised fibroid clinic, like Borneo Hospitals, where our skilled team of experts offers you the best treatments available for treating fibroids.

Fibroids are abnormal growths that develop within or on the uterus, leading to immense pain or a heavy menstrual cycle. In most cases, these tumours are benign, but at some point in time, they can disrupt your menstrual cycle and cause fertility issues, and eventually need to be removed. Although there is no precise reason as to why this disorder occurs, some of the contributing factors include hormonal imbalance, family history, and pregnancy. An imbalance of the oestrogen and progesterone hormones, cause the uterine lining to regenerate, and may overstimulate the growth of fibroids in each menstrual cycle. Another contributing factor to this disorder is family history.

If the disorder runs in your maternal line’s case history, there is a high chance of you developing this disorder. Pregnancy contributes to the increase in the production of oestrogen and progesterone hormones, thus contributing to the development and abnormal growth of fibroids. The medical staff and state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment at our fibroid centre at Nimai's Borneo Mother and Child Hospitals will help you with the right diagnosis as well as the ideal treatment for the same.

To understand if you are suffering from fibroids, you will first need to recognise its indicative signs. Symptoms of this disorder included heavy bleeding between or during periods, excessive blood clots, pain in the pelvis or lower back and increased menstrual cramping. You may also experience an increase in urination, pain during intercourse or even a swelling or enlargement of the abdomen.

Uterine Fibroid Symptoms

Many women who have fibroids in the uterus don’t have any obvious symptoms. Those who have symptoms might experience the following, which will depend on the size, number as well as location of the fibroids.

• Heavy menstrual bleeding
• Menstrual periods lasting more than a week
• Pelvic pressure or pain
• Frequent urination
• Difficulty emptying the bladder
• Constipation
• Backache or leg pains

Consult Doctor for Uterine Fibroids At Borneo Hospitals One should immediately consult a doctor for Uterine Fibroids Treatment in the following situations:

• Pelvic pain that doesn’t reduce
• Excessively heavy, prolonged or painful menstrual bleeding
• Spotting or bleeding between periods or two menstrual cycles
• Difficulty while urinating
• Unexplained low Red Blood Cell count (Anaemia)

Can Uterine Fibroids Be Prevented?

Medical experts who have been studying uterine fibroids for long, say that these cannot be prevented completely. The best thing to do is maintain a healthy lifestyle with a nutritious diet, sufficient exercise, regular intake of vitamins & supplements, as well as spending time in Nature.

Can Uterine Fibroids obstruct a pregnancy?

No, uterine fibroids usually do not interfere with the pregnancy. However, they may increase the risk in High Risk Pregnancies eg: in case of placental abruption, fetal growth restriction and preterm delivery.