Fibroids are non-cancerous, benign tumors that develop inside the uterus of a female. It is roughly estimated that almost 70% of women develop fibroids once in their lifetime. Usually, they are not harmful but can cause severe pain and troublesome symptoms in a female’s body. There are various treatment and surgical options available to remove them.

The exact cause of Uterine fibroids is still unknown. However, factors that may contribute towards its formation are as follows:

• Hormones: Fibroids have more receptor cells for the hormones estrogen and progesterone. During the beginning of the menstrual cycle, these hormones are responsible for stimulating the uterine lining. While doing so, they may also stimulate the growth of fibroids in the uterus.
• Genetics: Research suggests that the development of Uterine fibroids runs in the family. So, if your mother or relatives have fibroids, the chances of you getting it are high.
  Pregnancy: During pregnancy, there is a surge in the production of estrogen and progesterone in the body. This may lead to the rapid development of fibroids in the uterus.
• Pregnancy: During pregnancy, there is a surge in the production of estrogen and progesterone in the body. This may lead to the rapid development of fibroids in the uterus.

Most women don’t realize they have uterine fibroids until very late. That’s because the signs and symptoms of fibroids don’t show early and can be easily confused with other uterine disorders. The following are some common signs noted by doctors:

• Heavy menstrual bleeding
• Bleeding between periods
• Pain or pressure in your lower belly
• Frequent urination
• ● Trouble emptying your bladder
• An ache in the limbs
• Painful intercourse
• Abdominal bloating

The doctor will run various tests to see whether you have fibroids. Some of them include:

• Physical exam: The doctor will first take down your medical history and visually check your pelvis for signs of fibroids.
• Pelvic ultrasound: A pelvic ultrasound may be done to produce images of the inside of your pelvis and uterus. It is done using high-frequency sound waves that can help detect the formation of fibroids in the uterus.
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): A MRI is a diagnostic tool used to generate cross-sectional images of the insides of your body. It may help in generating high-resolution images of the insides and walls of the uterus for an accurate diagnosis.
• Sonohysterogram: A sonohysterogram is similar to an ultrasound scan. In this procedure, the doctor will inject a fluid into your uterus through the vagina and perform a scan to detect fibroids.

There are various treatment options available for the removal of fibroids. Depending on the size, number, and location of your fibroids, the gynecologist will suggest an appropriate treatment. There are both surgical and non-surgical options available. They are as follows:

Non-Surgical Treatments

• Medications: Medicines prescribed by the doctor will shrink the size of the fibroids but won’t be able to eliminate them. They target the hormones and relieve symptoms like heavy menstrual bleeding, pelvic pressure, and cramps.
• Non-invasive procedures: Non-invasive procedures are procedures that don’t require any incision and can help preserve your uterus. The fibroids present in the uterus are destroyed using focused ultrasound or other newer technologies.

Surgical Treatment

If the fibroids are large or many, then the doctor may suggest traditional surgical options. Abdominal myomectomy and hysterectomy are the two surgical options available.

• Myomectomy: In this procedure, the doctor will either make small cuts in your abdomen or use hysteroscopy to remove the fibroids. It is the most common surgery performed for removing uterine fibroids and is very safe. Your doctor may recommend this procedure if you wish to get pregnant in the future.
• Hysterectomy: If your fibroids are large and cannot be removed through any other surgical procedure, a hysterectomy will be performed. In this procedure, the doctor removes the uterus by making an incision in the abdomen.
  It is a major surgery but helps permanently remove the risk of fibroids.

Fibroids are generally benign and can be easily removed using surgery. If they are small, they may or may not require surgery but proper care needs to be taken.

The surgeries to remove fibroids are generally safe. However, certain risks are associated with this procedure. The following set of complications may rise be generated from this operation:

• Heavy bleeding
• Infection or inflammation of the pelvic organs
• The need for a repeat procedure
• Damage to organs in your abdomen, such as your bladder or bowel
• Scar tissue formation in your abdomen
• Difficulty in urination
• Fertility issues
• Complications in pregnancy
• Hysterectomy or removal of the uterus (rare chance)