Comparing Uterine Fibroids and Polyps: Are They One and The Same?
When women are diagnosed with uterine fibroids and polyps, they could experience the same symptoms. The characteristics of both uterine growths, however, are not the same. The corresponding treatments could also vary. Knowing exactly what kind of growth you have in your uterus is essential in order to successfully ease, manage, or prevent the symptoms.
Uterine Fibroids
Fibroids are solid tumors that grow in the uterine walls. They grow from muscular tissue within the uterus. Most women are predisposed to developing fibroids, but not many experience symptoms. As soon as a woman reaches child-bearing age, she is already at risk for fibroids. While this is so, women nearing menopause are more likely to have these fibrous growths.
Fibroid tumors are not cancerous and do not usually become cancerous. Smaller ones may go unnoticed, but bigger ones can affect fertility and cause a great deal of pain. When the tumors push against the uterine walls or the surrounding areas, they can affect blood flow. They also confuse the reproductive system, resulting in irregular and heavy menstruation periods. Pain around the abdominal area and the lower back is also one of the most common complaints of women diagnosed with fibroids.
More serious cases of uterine fibroids require attention and treatment. Removing the fibroids is not usually the first option, but it may be ordered by the medical specialist if the growths are endangering the overall health and wellness of the patient. Such is the case when the tumors are too big that they cause stomach distention and unbearable pain. Removing the tumors is also an option for those who are suffering from excessive bleeding and are already developed anemia.
Uterine Polyps
Unlike fibroids, uterine polyps are soft and red growths inside the uterus. They are made of soft tissue from the endometrium – that’s why they are also called endometrial polyps. Those who are in their 40s and 50s are more likely to develop polyps. Being overweight also increases the risks. Like fibroids, however, hormonal imbalance and high blood pressure also some of the risk factors for polyps. Both polyps and fibroids tend to regress after a patient reaches menopause.
It is not usual for polyps to be cancerous, but reported cases show that around 5% of incidences become cancerous. They can also cause problems with fertility. The symptoms of polyps are similar to fibroids: abdominal pain, changes in menstrual cycles, abnormal bleeding, etc..
The recommended treatment for polyps is most often surgery. Gynecologist order a biopsy to determine the nature of the tumor, to make a more accurate diagnosis, and to prescribe the most effective treatment program.
The Right Diagnosis
It is not advisable to make a self-diagnosis and to self-medicate based on information gathered from your own research. If would be helpful to know what the differences between fibroids and polyps are and what options are available to patients diagnosed with these tumors. The only way to determine what kind of tumor you have, however, it is necessary to go to a specialist and have several diagnostic tests done. This way, you can be sure that the treatments and lifestyle changes that you are turning to for relief of your symptoms are actually going to increase your chances of getting rid of your uterine fibroids or polyps.
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