A myoma, or a uterine fibroid, is a benign (noncancerous) growth in or around the uterus. They're made of muscle and connective tissue and can be of different sizes, shapes, and numbers. Even though they're usually not harmful, they can cause a lot of discomfort and problems for some women. This guide will talk about what causes myomas, what their symptoms are, what treatments are available, and how to prevent them.
What is a Myoma?
A myoma is a growth of smooth muscle cells and connective tissue that can grow in the uterus. They can be really small or really big and can change the shape of the uterus. Myomas can grow in different places in the uterus, and they have different names based on where they are:
Intramural: Intramural means something is located inside the muscle of the uterus. This is the most common type of myoma, where the myoma grows inside the wall of the uterus. This can change the shape of the uterus and cause pain or discomfort.
Submucosal: Submucosal means a type of growth that forms underneath the innermost layer of the uterus, which is called the endometrium. This type of growth can extend into the space inside the uterus, which can cause symptoms.
Subserosal: Subserosal myomas grow on the outside of the uterus and can grow outwards into the surrounding pelvic cavity. They can put pressure on other organs in the pelvis, which can cause symptoms depending on how big they are and where they are located.
Pedunculated: Pedunculated myomas are connected to the uterus by a long, slender stalk. They can grow from any part of the uterus, and they can move around because of the stalk they're attached to. This can cause pain or other symptoms.
What Causes Myomas?
The exact cause of myomas is not known, but there are several factors that contribute to their formation:
Hormonal Influence
Estrogen and progesterone, two hormones that are produced during the menstrual cycle, have a big influence on the growth of fibroids. Myomas tend to grow when hormone levels are high, like during pregnancy, and often shrink after menopause when hormone levels go down. This is why myomas are more common in women who are in their childbearing years.
Genetic Factors
If someone in your family has myomas, you're more likely to get them too. This is because there are certain genetic changes that can make you more likely to get myomas. If you have a family history of myomas, it's important to talk to your doctor about what to do.
Growth Factors
There are substances in the body called growth factors that help the body maintain tissues. These substances may influence the growth of fibroids. So, if you have too many of these substances in your body, you may be more likely to develop fibroids.
Inflammation and Other Health Conditions
Inflammation is a response of the body to injury, irritation, or infection. Chronic inflammation, which is inflammation that lasts for a long time, has been linked to fibroid formation. Obesity and metabolic syndrome, which is a condition that affects the way the body uses and stores carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, have also been linked to fibroid formation. These conditions may increase the risk of fibroid formation.
Lifestyle and Environmental Factors
Eating habits, stress, and exposure to environmental toxins can also affect the chances of getting myomas. For example, eating a lot of red meat and not enough fruits and vegetables can increase your risk of getting myomas. So try to eat healthy and avoid stress as much as possible to reduce your risk of getting myomas.
Symptoms of Myomas
The symptoms of uterine fibroids can vary depending on the size, number, and location of the fibroids. Some women with uterine fibroids don’t have any symptoms. Others may have significant discomfort and health problems. Some common symptoms of uterine fibroids include:
Heavy or Prolonged Menstrual Bleeding
A common symptom of myomas is having really heavy and prolonged menstrual periods. This means that your periods are much heavier than normal and last longer than they should. This can cause you to feel tired and anemic (low in iron) over time.
Pelvic Pain or Pressure
Bigger myomas can cause a feeling of fullness or pressure in the lower abdomen. Some women may also experience sharp or persistent pain in the pelvic area. This can be really uncomfortable and can make it hard to do everyday activities.
Frequent Urination
If the myomas are pressing against the bladder, you might find that you need to go to the bathroom more often or that you can't completely empty your bladder when you do go. This can cause discomfort and frustration.
Constipation
If uterine fibroids are located near the rectum, they may exert pressure, which can cause problems with bowel movements, including constipation. Constipation is when you have difficulty passing stool or when you don’t have regular bowel movements.
Pain During Intercourse
Fibroids can cause discomfort or pain during sex depending on where they are located. This can be really uncomfortable for both you and your partner. It's important to talk to your doctor if you're experiencing any pain during sex.
Back and Leg Pain
If a uterine fibroid is large, it may press on nerves in the lower back or legs, causing pain or discomfort in these areas. The pain or discomfort can be felt in the back or in the legs, and may even radiate to other areas of the body.
Reproductive Issues
Myomas can sometimes cause problems with fertility or pregnancy. They can make it hard to get pregnant or cause a miscarriage. They can also cause problems during pregnancy, like having the baby too early. It’s important to talk to your doctor about your myomas to make sure they won’t cause any problems.
Diagnosing Myomas
To diagnose myomas, also called uterine fibroids, doctors usually use a mix of your medical history, a physical exam, and imaging tests. This makes sure the diagnosis is correct and helps your doctor decide on the best treatment for you.
1. Medical History and Symptoms Review
The first step in diagnosing myomas is for the doctor to ask you about your symptoms. They'll ask you about your menstrual history, whether you have any family members with myomas, and whether you're worried about being able to get pregnant. They'll also ask you about how your symptoms are affecting your life.
2. Pelvic Examination
A pelvic exam is often the first step in detecting myomas. During this exam, your doctor checks for any abnormalities in the size, shape, or position of your uterus that could indicate fibroids. This helps them figure out if there are any problems with your uterus or if there might be any fibroids present.
3. Imaging Tests
Diagnostic imaging is very important in confirming that you have myomas and finding out where they are, how big they are, and how many there are. Some of the most common diagnostic imaging tests for myomas are:
Ultrasound: A transabdominal or transvaginal ultrasound is the most common test for detecting fibroids. This uses sound waves to create images of your uterus. Your doctor will place a probe on your abdomen or inside your vagina to capture these images. Ultrasounds are safe and painless, and can help your doctor determine if you have fibroids and where they are located.
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is another way to diagnose myomas. It's a type of scan that uses magnetic fields to create really detailed images of the inside of your body. Doctors often use MRIs for more complex or larger myomas because it can give them more information.
4. Other Diagnostic Procedures
Hysterosonography (Saline Infusion Sonography): Hysterosonography, also known as saline infusion sonography, is a test that uses a saline solution to expand the uterine cavity. This helps provide better imaging of fibroids inside the uterus. The saline solution is injected into your uterus and then an ultrasound is performed to check for fibroids. This test is often used to help determine the size and location of fibroids, and can help guide treatment.
Hysteroscopy: A hysteroscopy is a procedure where a small camera is put into the uterus through the cervix to look at the myomas. This allows the doctor to see the myomas directly and get a better idea of what they look like and where they are.
Laparoscopy: Laparoscopy is a simple procedure where a small camera is inserted into the abdomen through a tiny cut to look at the uterus. The camera, known as a laparoscope, lets your doctor view your uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes. This procedure can help find fibroids, figure out their size and location, and can also be used to treat them.
5. Laboratory Tests
If you're having heavy menstrual bleeding, the doctor might do a blood test to check for anemia or other reasons why you're bleeding more than normal. This can help them figure out if your heavy bleeding is caused by myomas or something else.
Treatment Options for Myomas
Treatment options for myomas depend on how bad your symptoms are, the size and location of the myomas, how old you are, and whether you want to have kids in the future. Some treatment options are:
1. Watchful Waiting
If your fibroids are small, don't cause any symptoms, and don't interfere with your daily life, your doctor may recommend that you just monitor them without any treatment. This means that you'll have regular check-ups with your doctor to make sure that they're not growing or causing any problems.
2. Medications
If you have symptoms from myomas, your doctor might recommend taking medicine to help make your symptoms better or to shrink the myomas. Some of the medicines that can be used for this are:
Hormonal Therapies: Some types of birth control can help regulate your menstrual bleeding and make your myomas smaller. These include birth control pills, IUDs that release progestin, and GnRH agonists (medicine that stops your body from making estrogen).
Non-Hormonal Options: If you have pain or inflammation from myomas, you might be able to use some non-hormonal options to make it better. These include NSAIDs (like ibuprofen) which can help with the pain and inflammation.
Tranexamic Acid: Tranexamic acid is a medication that is used to help reduce heavy menstrual bleeding. It works by slowing down the breakdown of blood clots, which helps to reduce the amount of bleeding during your period. Tranexamic acid is only taken during your period, and you should not take it if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
3. Minimally Invasive Procedures
There are some minimally invasive procedures that can be used to shrink or remove myomas without doing a big surgery. These include:
Uterine Artery Embolization (UAE): Uterine artery embolization (UAE) is a procedure that blocks the blood flow to fibroids, causing them to shrink. During UAE, a small catheter is inserted into the uterus and small particles are injected into the blood vessels that supply blood to the fibroids. This blocks the blood flow to the fibroids, causing them to shrink over time.
MRI-Guided Focused Ultrasound: MRI-guided focused ultrasound is a procedure that uses high-intensity focused ultrasound waves to destroy fibroid tissue. The ultrasound waves are directed at the fibroids, which heat up and destroy the fibroid tissue. This procedure is done using an MRI machine to guide the ultrasound waves to the exact location of the fibroids.
Myolysis: Myolysis is a treatment that uses heat, cold, or radio waves to reduce fibroids. In this process, a needle is put into the fibroids and then either heat, cold, or radio waves are applied to make them smaller. An ultrasound machine or a CT scan helps guide the needle into the fibroids during myolysis.
4. Surgical Options
If the myomas are really big or are causing a lot of problems, surgery might be necessary to make them go away. Some of the surgical options are:
Myomectomy: Myomectomy is a surgery that takes out fibroids but keeps the uterus intact. This means the uterus stays in place during the surgery. Myomectomy is a good choice for women who want to have children later, as it does not impact future pregnancy chances.
Hysterectomy: A hysterectomy is a surgery to remove the uterus completely. It is usually suggested for serious cases or when having children is no longer an issue. This surgery takes out the uterus and all fibroids, giving quick relief from symptoms and stopping fibroids from growing again. However, it is a big operation that can permanently affect a woman’s ability to have children, so it should be thought about carefully.
5. Lifestyle and Dietary Changes
Maintaining a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet, and managing stress can help to alleviate symptoms of fibroids and may even slow their growth. This means that you should make sure that you are eating healthy foods, getting enough exercise, and finding ways to manage your stress levels. These lifestyle changes can be very helpful for women with fibroids and can improve their overall health and well-being.
Preventing Myomas
It's not always possible to prevent myomas, but there are some things that you can do to lower your risk or make them less likely to happen. Some of the things that can help prevent myomas are:
1. Maintain a Healthy Weight
Being overweight can raise your risk of getting myomas because it can make your estrogen levels higher. Keeping a healthy weight by eating healthy and getting regular exercise can lower your risk of getting myomas.
2. Eat a Nutrient-Rich Diet
Eating a diet that has a lot of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains and less red meat and processed foods can help lower your risk of getting myomas. Foods that are high in antioxidants and fiber can help regulate your hormones and keep your uterus healthy.
3. Manage Hormonal Health
Keeping your estrogen levels balanced is important for preventing myomas. Avoiding chemicals and plastics that can mess with your hormones, and talking to your doctor if you think you have hormone imbalances, can help you prevent myomas.
4. Reduce Stress
Chronic stress can mess with your hormones and overall health. Doing things like yoga, meditation, or regular exercise can help you reduce stress, which can help balance your hormones and keep your uterus healthy.
5. Regular Medical Check-Ups
Going for regular gynecological check-ups can help detect myomas early. Detecting myomas early can help manage them better and prevent any complications. So make sure to go for your regular check-ups!
6. Avoid Smoking and Limit Alcohol
Smoking and drinking alcohol can disrupt your hormone levels and harm your overall health. Not smoking and drinking less alcohol can help keep your hormones balanced and lower your risk of developing myomas.
When to See a Doctor
It's important to know when to see a doctor if you're concerned about myomas, or uterine fibroids. While some fibroids don't cause any symptoms and don't require much attention, there are certain symptoms that may warrant a visit to a healthcare provider. These symptoms include:
Persistent Pelvic Pain or Pressure: If you have ongoing pelvic pain or pressure, meaning you feel discomfort or a sense of fullness in your lower belly that doesn't go away, you should see a doctor. This might be a sign of fibroids or another health issue. It's always better to be cautious and have it examined.
Heavy or Prolonged Menstrual Bleeding: If you're having very heavy periods, passing large clots, or your periods are lasting longer than usual, it's important to see a doctor right away. This kind of bleeding can cause anemia and make you feel tired all the time.
Difficulty Urinating or Constipation: Fibroids pressing on the bladder or rectum can lead to urinary issues or bowel discomfort. If you have trouble urinating or constipation for more than a few days, see a healthcare provider. Fibroids causing pressure can lead to these symptoms, so it's important to get medical help if you notice them.
Fertility Issues: Fibroids can sometimes make it hard to get pregnant or stay pregnant. If you’re having trouble getting pregnant or staying pregnant, you should talk to a doctor who specializes in these kinds of problems.
Rapid Fibroid Growth: If you notice that your belly is getting bigger fast or that your fibroids are getting bigger, you should go to the doctor to make sure that the fibroids are the cause and that there isn’t something else going on.
Post-Menopausal Symptoms: Fibroids usually shrink after menopause because the body makes less of the hormones that make them grow. But if you’re still having symptoms after menopause or if you start having new ones, you should see a doctor.
At Volusia Medical Center, our team of doctors and nurses is ready to give you caring and complete care for your health concerns, like myomas. Don’t let symptoms get in the way of your life. Contact us and schedule a consultation today to find the best treatment for you so you can feel your best.
Conclusion
Fibroids are really common, and they can be managed well if you get diagnosed early and treated properly. If you don’t have any symptoms, you might just need to have regular check-ups to make sure they’re not causing problems. But if you do have symptoms, you might need to have surgery or take some medicine. The most important thing is to talk to a doctor to figure out what’s best for you.
FAQs
1. Is myoma dangerous?
Most fibroids are not dangerous, but they can cause problems if you don’t get them checked out and treated.
2. What is the main cause of myoma?
The main cause of fibroids is when your body has too much or too little of certain hormones, like estrogen and progesterone.
3. Do myomas affect fertility?
Yes, if a myoma is too big or in the wrong place, it can make it harder to get pregnant or stay pregnant.
4. Can myomas go away on their own?
Myomas might shrink or go away on their own after menopause, when the body’s hormone levels go down.
5. What is the best treatment for myomas?
The best treatment for myomas depends on each person’s needs, and could be things like medicine, small procedures, or surgery.
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