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Women’s Health – The Early Signs of Fibroids

Do you often feel lethargic or distended?

Do you have cramps during your periods?

Do you feel something is wrong with you, even though you are normal?

Many women in India live with these uterine fibroids ignoring their health and not knowing that fibroids may be present. They continue to live in discomfort as they fear visiting a gynaecologist might compel them to go under the knife. But with the help of modern medical science women don’t have to worry much as these can be treated with effective and minimally invasive treatments.

What are fibroids?

Fibroids are non-cancerous growths that develop in or around the uterus. These growths are made up of muscles or fibrous tissues and vary in size from as small as a pea to as big as an orange or bigger in rare cases.

What are the symptoms of fibroids?

Many women don’t even come to know that they have fibroids simply because they don’t have any symptoms. And the ones who have symptoms may experience:

• Heavy painful periods
• One needs to change the sanitary napkin every hour
• Heavy Bleeding accompanied by severe pain
• A swollen or bloated abdomen accompanied with pain
• Urinating frequently
• Constipation
• Pain and discomfort during intercourse
• Some fibroids can lead to complications in pregnancies or lead to infertility

How are fibroids treated?

There are several methods for treating fibroids surgical and non-surgical depending on the condition.

Non-surgical procedures

Uterine artery embolisation (UAE) – Uterine artery embolisation (UAE) is an alternative procedure to a hysterectomy or myomectomy for treating fibroids. It is conducted basically to treat large fibroids. It is done by radiologists by blocking the blood supply to the fibroids and causing them to shrink

MRI guided focused ultrasound – Women has to simply lie down in the MRI machine and focussed ultrasound beam is directed to the fibroid to shrink its size. Not every case is suitable to undergo this treatment option.

Surgical Procedures

Surgical procedures are used when the fibroids are severe and where medications have not been effective.

Hysterectomy

In the past, hysterectomy was carried out to remove the entire uterus, this procedure effectively removes the fibroids and prevents them from coming back but it also ends the possibility of the women to bear a child in future. This procedure now is only recommended only if the fibroids are big or there is severe bleeding and the woman doesn’t wish to have children.

Myomectomy

Myomectomies were developed to remove the fibroids while leaving the uterus unharmed. This surgical procedure is performed in a conventional open surgery or with a minimally invasive laparoscopic procedure.

What should I do if I think I have fibroids?

If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms mentioned you should immediately contact a gynaecologist. The doctor will examine you physically and may also recommend an ultrasound scan to understand the condition. If fibroids are diagnosed then the doctor will discuss the possible treatment options based on the severity of the fibroids and will help you in making the right choice.

The physicians at Shrikhande IVF Nagpur, India are experts in the diagnosis and treatment of fibroids. Contact them on (+91) – 8805677600 for more information or to schedule an appointment.

Tags: Abdomenal Pain, Early Signs of Fibroids, Fibroids, Heavy Bleeding during periods, How are fibroids treated, Pain while sex, What are fibroids, What are the symptoms of fibroids, Womens Health