Natural Infertility Solutions

Uterine Fibroid Tumors

Uterine fibroid tumors or leiomyomas are among the most common tumors among women. In fact, it is apparent in 25-50% of women, says American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Uterine fibroid tumors are typically non-cancerous; however, there is still the need to be aware of these tumors and some dangers it may bring to your health.

What are uterine fibroid tumors?

Uterine fibroid tumors, medically known as uterine leiomyomata or simply myoma, are growths consisting of smooth muscle cells and fibrous connective tissues usually found within the wall of the uterus. Some grow below the lining of the uterus; some grow between the muscles of the uterus, while some grow towards the exterior part of the uterus. Uterine fibroid tumors may grow in clusters or as a single nodule and may vary in size.

What are the causes of uterine fibroid tumors?

Scientific researches have not yet finally identified the causes of uterine fibroid tumors. It has been theorized though that uterine fibroid tumors result from hormonal, genetic and environmental factors, which may be present in combinations in every case.

Are uterine fibroid tumors cancerous?

Though considered as tumors, uterine fibroid tumors are mostly benign, which means that in most instances, they are not as dangerous as cancerous tumors. Cases of uterine fibroid tumors turning into cancer is very rare, however, it is possible. Although having uterine fibroid tumors is generally not dangerous (it also has nothing to do with cancer of the uterus), it is uneasy to live with; hence, women opt to have their uterine fibroid tumors removed.

Who gets uterine fibroid tumors?

In most instances, uterine fibroid tumors develop in women of childbearing age, usually those in the 30s and 40s. However, researches show that women who have previously given birth are less likely to develop uterine fibroid tumors. In addition, it has been found out that overweight women and young African women are more prone to developing uterine fibroid tumors. The reasons for these are not yet known, however, these facts have been prevalently observed.

What are the symptoms indicating presence of uterine fibroid tumors?

In many instances, uterine fibroid tumors do not cause symptoms, but some women having these benign tumors say they experience pain and heavy bleeding during menstrual periods while some experience bleeding in between their menstrual period. She also urinates more often (due to the pressure of the fibroids to the bladder) and feels full in the lower part of the abdomen.

Some women also experience pain in the lower back and pain during intercourse. Other signs of uterine fibroid tumors include miscarriage, complications during pregnancy and infertility.

Cure Uterine Fibroids

Question: 4 cm Uterine Fibroid found… what happens now!?
Hello everyone, I am hoping that I can get some answers to my questions. Heres the situation,
1. I am in my mid 30’s — I have no children
2. I had an IUD installed (yes I said installed) about a year ago, and was quite happy with it untill the string went missing earlier this month.
3. go to doctor and they do an ultra sound to see if the IUD was still in place and found a single 4 cm fibroid tumor. My dr said thats about the size of a large lemon. (this size comparison seems exaggrated)
4. I am ina tizzy because:
4a. I dont know the medical implications of having an IUD and an 4cm fibroid.
4b. i have family history of uterine cancer.
4c. I havent had kids yet and dont need that complicated since its bbad enought I have waited this long to do it.
4d. My dr. acted as if its no big deal.

What I would love to hear from the community is.

What is a fibroid exactly?
Can ultra sound tell difference from a benign and cancerous growth or should other test be done?
Should I have the IUD removed (and now with the string missing that will be complicated)?
Could the IUD have caused the growth of the Fibroid?
should my dr. have noticed this sooner? I go faithfully for my annual and been with her at least 6 years.

Lastly, what are treatment options, has anyone been treated, where you able to get pregnant, what kind of treatment did you get? Was it painful?

I know I should be speaking to my Dr. Which I will/and other doctors a as well, but if you guys have any input both from Dr. or patient prospective I would greatly appreciate it. I want to make the most informed decision I can about this.

Thanks and have a great day!!!

Best answer:

Answer by Anne
I had a friend who had a uterine fibroid the size of a box of waffles. Yeah, huge. She had hers surgically removed. The doctor warned her that they might end up needing to do a hysterectomy because of its size but wouldn’t know until they got in there. The surgery was successful and she didn’t lose her uterus. She doesn’t want any children but the doctor told her she’d still be able to have them.

I don’t think an ultrasound would be able to show if its cancerous or not and I’m afraid I don’t know much about IUDs. Just wanted to share my story that it doesn’t necessarily mean no kids. Lots of women have fibroids…they only remove them if they get huge and cause pain/bleeding. Its hard to know how quickly the fibroid formed…my friend goes in for her yearly faithfully.

Good luck! Oh, and the surgery for my friend was similar to a c-section surgery, they had to make big incisions. She was laid up for almost a month at home. I think they can do laparoscopic surgery if your fibroids are smaller and that’s a much quicker recovery. I had lap surgery to remove an ovary. I was back to normal in about a week.

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