Uterine Fibroid

When we were expecting our first baby, a tiny bump appeared on my wife's stomach. we wondered what the bump meant especially when during medical examinations nothing was detected. it was on the day she went into labour that a doctor casually said, this is fibroid. then i knew next to nothing about it probably because there were no close relative or friends with the condition. we dismissed the pronouncement of the doctor and continued with life.

It was during the pregnancy for the 2nd child that scan started detecting the fibroids, then they were still tiny. five years later when she was pregnant for the 3rd child, was when the growth became disturbing. As a result of the size and position of the fibroid, a cesarean section was done to bring out the child.
her first menstrual flow was what elevated my interest in researching about uterine fibroid.

WHAT IS UTERINE FIBROID?
Fibroids are abnormal growths that develop in or on a woman’s uterus. Sometimes these tumors become quite large and cause severe abdominal pain and heavy periods. In other cases, they cause no signs or symptoms at all. The growths are typically benign, or noncancerous.

WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF FIBROID?
It’s unclear why fibroids develop, but several factors may influence their formation. Including the following

1. Hormones like Estrogen and progesterone
2. Family history: Fibroids may run in the family. If your mother, sister, or grandmother has a history of this condition, one may develop it as well.
3. Pregnancy increases the production of estrogen and progesterone in your body. Fibroids may develop and grow rapidly while one is pregnant.

WHO IS AT A RISK FOR FIBROIDS GROWTH?
Women are at greater risk for developing fibroids if they have one or more of the following risk factors:
• pregnancy
• a family history of fibroids
• age of 30 or older
• African-American
• a high body weight

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS TO WATCH OUT FOR?
The symptoms will depend on the number of tumors the person is having as well as their location and size.
Symptoms of fibroids may include:
• heavy bleeding between or during periods that includes blood clots
• pain in the pelvis or lower back
• increased menstrual cramping
• increased urination
• pain during intercourse
• menstruation that lasts longer than usual
• pressure or fullness in your lower abdomen
• swelling or enlargement of the abdomen

HOW ARE FIBROID MANAGED AND TREATED?
A lot of herbal products have indicated that fibroids can be successful treated. However, there are many methods in the literature that is used to manage fibroid. this include but not limited to the following

• Hysterectomy. Hysterectomies involve the surgical removal of the entire uterus. Fibroids remain the number one reason for hysterectomies in the United States.
• Conservative surgical therapy. Conservative surgical therapy uses a procedure called a myomectomy. With this approach, physicians will remove the fibroids, but leave the uterus intact to enable a future pregnancy.
• Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (GnRH agonists). This approach lowers levels of estrogen and triggers a "medical menopause." Sometimes GnRH agonists are used to shrink the fibroid, making surgical treatment easier.
• Anti-hormonal agents. Certain drugs oppose estrogen (such as progestin and Danazol), and appear effective in treating fibroids. Anti-progestins, which block the action of progesterone, are also sometimes used.
• Uterine artery embolization. Also called uterine fibroid embolization, uterine artery embolization (UAE) is a newer minimally-invasive (without a large abdominal incision) technique. The arteries supplying blood to the fibroids are identified, then embolized (blocked off). The embolization cuts off the blood supply to the fibroids, thus shrinking them. Health care providers continue to evaluate the long-term implications of this procedure on fertility and regrowth of the fibroid tissue.
• Anti-inflammatory painkillers. This type of drug is often effective for women who experience occasional pelvic pain or discomfort.

I want to acknowledge the following as the source of the information used in this article except the introductory parts.

http://obgyn.ucla.edu/fibroids
https://www.healthline.com/health/uterine-fibroids#outlook