Uterine fibroids are abnormal non-cancerous muscular growth on the uterus. Others terms for uterine fibroids are leiomyomas or myomas. The size of the fibroids varies from undetectable by the human eye to the massive size that can distort the uterus. A female may have a single uterine fibroid or multiple ones. In some cases, the multiple fibroids expand the womb to the extent that it reaches the rib cage. Uterine fibroids never develop into cancer or increase the risk of uterine cancer.
Uterine fibroids are of four types depending on its location in the uterus:
It is the most common type of uterine fibroid. It embeds in the muscular wall of the uterus.
Subserosal fibroids extend beyond the wall of the womb. It grows within the surrounding of uterine tissue. It may develop as fibroid with a stem-like structure that becomes quite large.
The submucosal fibroid is pushed into the cavity of the womb and is found in the muscle beneath the inner lining of the uterine wall.
Cervical fibroids take root in cervix on the neck of the womb.
The symptoms of uterine fibroid depend on the size of the fibroid, its location within the uterus and on the fact how close, they are to the adjacent pelvic organs.
Most of the cases of uterine fibroid do cause any symptoms, and the female is unaware of its presence.
However, one in three females with uterine fibroids experience following symptoms:
Other possible symptoms include:
In general uterine fibroid do not interfere with ovulation. However, it may impair fertility and result in poor pregnancy outcomes. Fibroid deforms the inner uterine cavity and decreases productivity.
Occasionally uterine fibroid causes recurrent miscarriages.
The female may not be able to sustain a pregnancy is fibroid is not removed.
Pregnant female with fibroids may have normal pregnancy but are at risk of caesarean, preterm delivery, placental abruption, or the baby is breech.
In females with fibroid labour may fail to progress
The large fibroid may also lead to:
*Females who suffer from the symptoms of uterine fibroid find it hard to live it
Cause of fibroids is not known, but research links it to the following factors:
1. Genetic – Uterine fibroid runs in families.
2. Hormones – Study shows that the growth of uterine fibroids is under hormonal control. They develop during reproductive years when the level of oestrogen is high. Uterine fibroid stops growing and shrinks once the female reaches menopause or when anti-hormone medicine is used.
Factors that increase the risk of developing fibroid in females are:
Our ovaries produce hormones progesterone and oestrogen. Both the hormones cause the uterine lining to thicken during the menstrual cycle.
The uterine fibroids contain more progesterone and oestrogen receptors than the normal uterine muscles. Thus, a high level of oestrogen and progesterone hormone appears to promote the growth of fibroids.
According to Ayurveda, accumulation of the toxins in tissues disturbs the biochemistry of body and loss of natural balance. This obstructs elimination of toxins and leads to the development of uterine fibroid. Thus, the Ayurveda treatment for uterine fibroid primary aims to bring back the balance and eliminate the toxins. It is a holistic approach to boost the immune system, balance the hormones and to support long term proper functioning of the ovaries.