Health Tips: Types, Causes and Symptoms of fibroid

Fibroid are the most common pelvic tumor that affect one in five women of childbearing age. Fibroid usually affect women over the age of 30; however, they can also affect women in their 20’s. Fibroid are known to be more common in African women. Fibroid can grow as a single tumor or multiple tumors. 
Fibroid are lumps that grow on the inside and outside walls of a woman’s uterus. Fibroid are called many names from tumors to myomas to leiomyomas. They are non-cancerous, but they have been known to cause a great deal of problems. Most women go through their lives unaware that they actually have fibroids, until they become a problem. 

There are numerous medical procedures to treat fibroid. The medical treatments readily available for fibroid can range from mild to severe, leaving women of childbearing age unable to have children. One of the most, if not the most severe of these medical procedures is surgery.

What causes Fibroid?
During a woman's reproductive years, her estrogen and progesterone levels are high. When estrogen levels are high, especially during pregnancy, fibroids tend to swell. When estrogen levels are low fibroids may shrink, e.g. during a woman's menopause. 

Heredity may also be a factor. Women whose mothers and/or sisters have/had fibroids have a higher risk of developing them too. 

Types of fibroids
There are four types of fibroids and these are: 

1. Intramural
These are located in the wall of the uterus. These are the most common types of fibroids. 

2. Subserosal fibroids
These are located outside the wall of the uterus. They can develop into pedunculated fibroids (stalks). Subserosal fibroids can become quite large. 

3. Submucosal fibroids
These are located in the muscle beneath the lining of the uterus wall. 

4. Cervical fibroids
These are located in the neck of the womb (the cervix).

Symptoms of fibroid
• Heavy bleeding between or during periods that includes blood clots
• Pain in the pelvis and/or lower back
• Increased menstrual cramping
• Increased urination
• Pain during intercourse
• Menstruation that lasts longer than usual
• Pressure or fullness in the lower abdomen
• Swelling or enlargement of the abdomen

Fibroids and Infertility
Approximately 5% – 10% of infertile women have fibroid. Their size and location determines whether fibroids affect fertility. Examples include fibroid that are inside the uterine cavity (submucosal) or very large (>6 cm in diameter) within the wall of the uterus (intramural).

How do fibroid cause infertility?

There are several ways fibroid can reduce fertility: 
• Changes in the shape of the cervix can affect the number of sperm that can enter the uterus.
• Changes in the shape of the uterus can interfere with the movement of the sperm or embryo.
• Fallopian tubes can be blocked by fibroids.
• They can impact the size of the lining of the uterine cavity.
• Blood flow to the uterine cavity can be affected. This can decrease the ability of an embryo to stick (implant) to the uterine wall or to develop.