Despite how commonplace the growth of uterine fibroids is among women, more so those who have begun giving birth, there remains a considerable number of misconceptions regarding these tumours. The first thing that you should know is that one could have multiple uterine fibroids and be unaware of their presence since the tumours could remain asymptomatic. Secondly, these tumours are benign, which means that they are non-cancerous. Nonetheless, leaving the growth of these uterine fibroids to go unmitigated could lead to several complications that may affect your overall feminine health. Thus, it is always a good idea to familiarise yourself with this condition. Read on to learn a few things worth noting regarding uterine fibroids and women's health.
What are uterine fibroids?
As mentioned above, fibroids are benign tumours but what you may not know is that they comprise muscular tissue. Also referred to as myomas, these muscular tumours grow along the uterine wall. While some women may have a singular fibroid, others typically have several muscular tumours simultaneously. The size of fibroids varies from being as a pea to larger than a grapefruit!
What symptoms should you be on the lookout for?
Fibroids, as stated at the beginning, could be asymptomatic. Thus, you could live with these uterine tumours for years without having any idea that they are present. However, in some women, the symptoms can be increasingly challenging to live with. One of the more common symptoms one may experience with undiagnosed fibroids is chronic pelvic pain that is typically accompanied by an irregular menstrual cycle. Some women may also experience bleeding in between their menses. Additional symptoms that one may develop when living with undiagnosed fibroids include painful intercourse, back pain and continual pressure on their bladder. It should also be noted that if the fibroids have grown exponentially, they would expand the patient's abdomen to the point of making her appear expectant when she is not.
Will fibroids affect pregnancy?
Uterine fibroids can have an impact on your ability to get pregnant as well as your chances of a healthy delivery. Although some women may go one to have natural, uncomplicated births while living with uterine fibroids, some women may find their only resort is a caesarean section. IF the fibroids are big enough, they may end up displacing the baby's positioning and this will decrease the likelihood of a natural delivery. In some worst-case scenarios, some women may experience placental disruption that could instigate pre-term labour. If you are looking to get pregnant but have fibroids, it is imperative to discuss your options with your OBGN to avoid the risk of future complications.
For more information, contact a women's health care service.
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