Uterine Fibroids

Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous growths of various sizes that develop in the uterus and can cause significant discomfort and other symptoms for women who are afflicted with them. The medical health writers at Paper Masters can write on uterine fibroids and their symptomology, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis.

Fibroids can cause changes in menstruation including significant bleeding even when not menstruating as well as greater cramping and pain associated with menstruation.

As a consequence, women who suffer with uterine fibroids are often anemic from the loss of blood. Women who are most likely to have uterine fibroids include those who are 30-40 years of age however African American women are more likely than women of other races to have them, as well as more likely to develop them at younger ages and experience more rapid growth of uterine fibroids. In general, women who have uterine fibroids are at greater risk for infertility and miscarriages and often manifest both an enlarged uterus and consequently an enlarged abdomen. Among the most common treatments for uterine fibroids is surgery, which can include the myomectomy which involves the removal of only the fibroids that are present in the uterus or, in more severe cases, surgery for the removal of the entire uterus. Other options include endometrial ablation, which involves eliminating the lining of the uterus as well as embolizing blood vessels in the uterus in order to stop blood support to the fibroids. Less invasive treatments are available when surgery is not an option or is not necessary including the use of medications as part of hormone therapy.

Exploring the symptoms that are commonly associated with fibroids, researchers have noted that while the condition is not life threatening, it can be the cause of a number of uncomfortable symptoms for the individual. Specifically, uterine fibroids have been associated with the following:

• Pelvic pain
• Bleeding
• Fertility problems
• Bowel problems

Massive intraperitoneal hemorrhage can occur in rare cases; however, fewer than 100 cases have been reported in the United States.4 The most common form of treatment for uterine fibroids is a hysterectomy. However, given the long-term ramifications of having this procedure on health, researchers are now looking for new methods of treatment that are less invasive. Medications and ultrasound have proven to be the most effective methods for permanently reducing uterine fibroids