Uterine fibroids?!
Question:
Uterine fibroids?
I am 20 years old and I think that I might have fibroids... what can you tell me about them?
Answers:
Uterine fibroids are scientifically termed leiomyomata; i.e, they are smooth muscle tumors of the uterus. They are nearly always benign.
It is highly doubtful at your age that you have uterine fibroids as they tend to occur in the 30's and the peri- and postmenopausal years. However, it is not impossible for you to have them.
They are best diagnosed by ultrasound of the pelvis. Imaging the uterus and ovaries in this manner is a common and fairly inexpensive procedure.
Leimyomata can range from being single, small and asymptomatic to being large, multiple and significantly symptomatic.
While certainly not all inclusive, the following are common symptoms of uterine fibroids:
1. Abnormal uterine bleeding.
2. Difficulty or inability to become pregnant.
3. Dyspareunia (painful intercourse)
4. Obstruction of one or both ureters.
5. Pelvic Pain.
6. Frequent urination.
The treatment is predicated on the number of lesions present, where they are located (near the lining of the uterus, in the middle of the muscle mass of the uterus or near the surface, perhaps rupturing through same) and the symptoms or complications being caused by them. Treatment also takes into account the age of the woman, her gravid history (pregnancy history), whether she wants further pregnancies and comorbidities (other active disease processes).
There are a number of treatment options, dependent primarily on the number of tumors, their location and again the desire or lack of same to become pregnant.
1. Localized myomectomy. This is a procedure where the tumor and a minimal amount of surround muscle are removed leaving the uterus intact and functional.
2. Multiple myomectomies.
3. Laser surgery if it is a single lesion protruding in to the uterine canal.
4. Hysterectomy; that is, removal of the uterus in its entirety.
The treatment choice is a joint decision between the patient and the operating gynecologist (or general surgeon).
I hope this is helpful!
DrEarp