A woman can develop one or multiple fibroids—benign tumors that develop within the uterus. And yes, benign means they’re mostly harmless, unlike cancerous growths. With that in mind, would it really be necessary to get them surgically removed?
Well, before exploring that question further, it’s important to start with the basics. The first thing you need to know is that uterine fibroids actually come in different types, mainly depending on the location where they have developed. These types are:
Subserosal
These fibroids form on the outside of the uterus—specifically, the serosa. They can grow large enough to make the womb look bigger on one side.
Intramural
These are the most common type of fibroids and they appear on the muscular wall of the uterus. Intramural fibroids can grow large and stretch the womb.
Submucosal
These fibroids develop in the myometrium. This is the middle muscle layer of the uterus. Submucosal tumors are not that common.
Pedunculated
This is when multiple fibroids develop a stem. The stem is a slender base that supports the tumor.
Risk of Developing Multiple Uterine Fibroids
Women with one or more of the following risk factors are likely to develop benign growths:
- Family history of fibroids
- A high body weight
- Pregnant
- Age of 30 years or older
- African-American
- Hypertension
- Diabetes
Those who end up having fibroids may exhibit a variety of symptoms, which vary depending on the type, size, and location of the tumors. Submucosal fibroids, for example, may cause heavy menstrual bleeding and even trouble conceiving. Do note, however, that small tumors are usually asymptomatic.
The following are some symptoms of fibroids:
- Increased urination
- Pain during intercourse
- Bleeding after intercourse
- Pain in the pelvis
- Increased menstrual cramping
- Pressure or fullness in the lower abdomen
- Blood clots during menstruation
- Enlargement of the abdomen
But how exactly are Fibroids Diagnosed?
Fibroids are diagnosed through a pelvic exam done by a gynecologist. Other tests used to diagnose fibroids are:
Pelvic MRI
This is an in-depth imaging test. This produces high definition pictures of the patient’s ovaries, uterus, and other pelvic organs.
Ultrasound
An ultrasound uses high frequency sound waves to produce images of the uterus on the screen.
This allows the doctor to see the internal structures and any lumps or fibroids present.
Transvaginal Ultrasound
The ultrasound wand is inserted into the vagina. This provides a clearer picture since it is closer to the uterus.
Is it Necessary to Remove Multiple Fibroids?
In some cases, yes—especially to prevent any further problems.
Multiple uterine fibroids can grow up to the size of a watermelon. If this happens, the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tube, and bladder wouldn’t function well. Fibroids are often not life threatening, but they can still affect a woman’s overall quality of life.
It’s time to see the doctor if you have:
- Spotting or bleeding between periods
- Symptoms indicative of anemia
- Difficulty urinating
- Prolonged and painful periods
- Pelvic pain that doesn’t go away
Fibroids, if left unchecked, may continue to grow in size and number. The symptoms may also worsen over time. In some cases, the fibroids will cause intimacy problems due to painful sex. This can lead to depression and anxiety. And, there’s the risk of becoming infertile as well.
All in all, it’s best to have fibroids checked—and if deemed necessary by the physician, treated and removed. This is to prevent any further problems. The problems are not only physical, but also emotional and social in nature.
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