Fibroids and the Detection of Uterine Fibroids

Approximately 30 to 40% of women suffer from uterine fibroids that are usually benign growths that are found on the uterine muscle. Fibroids and their treatment continue to be researched and one of the important factors known is that they mainly affect black women. Women of other races are also affected but to a lesser extent. This article discusses fibroids and the detection of uterine fibroids.

It is important to know that most fibroids do not require any treatment and do not cause problems. Other fibroids however may cause heavy menstrual cycles. The heavy blood loss associated with these heavy periods can lead to anemia or debilitation. In other cases, these heavy periods can lead to a condition known as "compression syndrome". This condition affects the adjacent body organs such as the bladder leading to frequent urination, or bloating and constipation.

Fibroids can also press on the nerves and lead to backache or a bulging abdominal area that is aesthetically displeasing.

It can also be confusing to determine if you have fibroids or ovarian cysts. A doctor will be able to give a proper diagnosis. An ovarian cyst is a fluid filled sac on the ovary that may also develop in the fallopian tube. A fibroid on the other hand is a muscle growth that is solid and smooth that develops on the uterus walls. Both are usually benign (non-cancerous).

Fibroids usually develop during the later reproductive years and have been found in women over 35 years of age in 1/3 of the cases. As previously mentioned, they mainly affect black women or women who have a family history of fibroids.

Fibroids do not usually produce symptoms in most women and are usually detected in much the same way as ovarian cysts though normal pelvic exams. An ultrasound can also be administered to detect the fibroids. An ultrasound can also differentiate between a fibroid and an ovarian cyst.

Uterine fibroids usually become a problem when they become large in size thus leading to increased pressure on the bladder or rectum or a protruding belly. Large fibroids can also lead to heavy periods or severe pain in the pelvic region.

Fibroids are most common in the uterus or womb and are benign. They usually develop in the uterine wall and attach to the wall. They can also migrate outside the uterus. Fibroids can develop as a single tumor or develop into clusters of tumors.

Fibroids - When to Seek Medical Treatment

1. Pain in the pelvic region or abdominal area

2. Heavy or irregular menstrual cycles or bleeding or spotting between periods

3. Night sweats or if you experience fever

4. Unusual increasing abdominal girth

5. Fertility concerns with inability to fall pregnant or other pregnancy concerns

Immediate medical treatment should be sought if any of the following occur;

a. Prolonged or intense abdominal pain or severe and prolonged pain in the pelvic region.

b. If the menstrual cycle involves heavy bleeding that soaks up more that three pads or tampons each hour.

c. If you experience dizziness, shortness of breath or chest pain due to vaginal bleeding, etc.

d. If you experience vaginal bleeding related to possible pregnancy or current pregnancy.

Uterine Fibroids - Test and Exams

a. Endometrial biopsy - A small tool is used to get small samples of tissue from the uterus.

b. Trans-vaginal or Pelvic Ultrasound - Sound waves are used to give your physician a view of your pelvic area in order to determine the size, number and shape of the fibroids.

c. Hysterosalpingography - A dye is administered into the uterus and fallopian tube. An x-ray is then used to identify the fibroids.

d. Hysteroscopy - A small fiber optic camera is used to view the uterus through the cervix opening.

e. Laparoscopy - A Small fiber optic camera is also used here that is inserted through the abdomen in order to view the internal organs.

Before fibroids become severe, there are various holistic or natural remedies that have been shown to work wonders in treating and curing fibroids. These are preferred by a growing number of women because they are less invasive and the sufferers can avoid surgery some of which includes a hysterectomy.
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Research the various natural or holistic treatment options to cure your uterine fibroids by visiting my website at http://fibroidsandovariancysts.webs.com/ for tips and resources.

Facing the Trauma of Uterine Fibroids

Uterine fibroids are tumours which grow from cells forming the muscle of the uterus. They are also called leiomyoma, myoma, fibromyoma, leiofibromyoma or fibroleiomyoma of the uterus and they can grow on the uterine wall and push out into the bladder, bowel or intestine or can grow within the uterine wall, or even project from the wall of the uterus on a narrow stalk into the uterine cavity. They can be as small as a pea and may go unnoticed but they can cause problems if they grow big.

Some of the symptoms of fibroids can be following:

• Cramps
They are considered to be foreign bodies by the uterus which needs to be expelled. The resulting pressure on the uterine fibroid can cause strong spasms i.e. sudden involuntary muscular contractions.

• Constipation and Pelvic Pain
Normal bowel movements can be hampered when the fibroids press on the colon, causing pain during digestion. They also compress other organs inducing pressure which can be experienced in the form of sharp pains.

• Heavy Menstruation and Vaginal Bleeding
There can be abnormal bleeding. Some women may experience bleeding after a long time of going through menopause which indicates fibroid development.

• Urinary Infections
Fibroids can cause urinary tract infections which may lead to frequent urination or difficulty in urination.

• Abdominal Swelling and Back Pain
A bulging belly that feels hard on touching is a common symptom. Many women with fibroids can appear to be pregnant due to the swelling. In some cases, women with fibroids experience pain in the back or legs.

Besides all these symptoms, they also disturb conception. When it blocks the fallopian tube, fertilization cannot take place. When it grows near the uterine lining, implantation of the fertilized egg can be disrupted, thus causing miscarriages and sometimes women with extremely large growth may not be able to conceive simply because of the size of the fibroid.

These are quite common among women and may a times. A woman is not aware that she is having them. In such cases, they do not cause any symptoms or problems, and they remain unnoticed. Their existence can be hereditary. Conception and intake of oral contraceptives both decrease the likelihood that they will develop. They have not been observed in girls who have not reached puberty and adolescent girls rarely develop them. Some other factors that have been associated with an increased risk of developing fibroids are having the first menstrual period (menarche) before the age of 10, consumption of alcohol (particularly beer), uterine infections and high blood pressure (hypertension).
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Early Sylptoms of Pregnancy

The feeling of being pregnant brings in lot of mixed emotions. It is a feeling of ecstasy that you are going to be a MUMMY!!! You will be playing and caring about a new small member in your family!!! Though the pregnancy starts from the first day of the last menstrual period, the would be mother feels the symptoms of pregnancy only after few weeks. However, symptoms of pregnancy are not the same for every woman; the following are common signs that can foretell the pregnancy.

Missed Menstrual Period

It is the most obvious and common symptom of pregnancy. Some women may not completely miss the monthly cycle but have much lighter period in comparison to their usual one.

Morning Sickness AND NAUSEA

Nausea is a precursor to morning sickness. It can signify that a woman is pregnant. Morning sickness is caused by crave for food as the stomach is queasy, above normal amount of hormones etc. Many women suffer from nausea up to two weeks before an expected monthly cycle. Eating several smaller meals instead of larger ones can help with nausea. The body requirement of each woman is different and different food may or may not contribute to morning sickness.

Tender Breasts

Usually tenderness of breast is a precursor to forthcoming period but this tenderness along with swollen and sore breasts with a tickly feeling can be an early indicator of pregnancy. The hormone level increases during pregnancy. Breasts plays important role in nourishing young newborn babies. Breasts become more sensitive during pregnancy and prepare themselves for producing milk and breastfeeding. Sometimes the nipples become dark in color.

Fatigue

Experiencing fatigue and exhaustiveness can also indicate pregnancy. The pregnant women feel sleepy all day. This is due to the changes in body and also the increasing levels of hormones. Frequent rests or naps whenever possible will work to revitalize your energies.

Frequent Urination

This increased urge to urinate continues all the pregnancy period. The increasing size of uterus puts pressure on urinary bladder and extra body fluids are processed by kidneys. This results in early symptom of pregnancy that all will notice as you frequently rush towards restroom.

DIZZINESS AND/OR FAINTING OR LIGHT HEADEDNESS

The swollen uterus compresses the arteries of legs which can result into lowering blood pressure and make you dizzy. Low blood sugar level will make you faint, so it is said that you should have healthy and frequent eatables to maintain your blood sugar up.

FOOD CRAVINGS

Food cravings are a strong sign or symptoms of pregnancy. Pregnant women crave for certain foods especially sour and tangy eatable. Popping a vitamin supplement and a pure fish oil capsule may relieve you from some cravings. The cravings may be due to your body's need for special nutrition. Sometimes it is seen that women show aversionto certain foods which she used to like very much earlier.

SENSITIVITY TO AROMAS

Pregnant women become sensitive to aromas. Due to the increase in estrogen level strong fragrances will cause nausea.

HEARTBURN AND/OR CONSTIPATION

The problem of heartburn is caused due to: the swelling of uterus and pushing it against the stomach and other organs; slowing down of digestion due to increased hormonal level. So a good prenatal multi-vitamin-mineral supplement might provide pregnant woman's body with all the nutrients needed for growing baby. The high level of acid released from stomach slower emptying of the stomach and also causes heartburn. This is continued for first to ninth month.

MOOD SWINGS AND IRRITABILITY

With questions continuously popping to a would be mother's mind about timing, career, finances, motherhood, labor and delivery, mood swings and irritable behavior is quite natural. These symptoms of pregnanby are result of raging hormones. The pregnant woman may go through mixed emotions, sometimes excited on the second moment depressed, sometimes joyous and the other moment mourning, whereas sometimes laughter and sometimes tears. Second Trimester shows a decrease in this early symptom of pregnancy.

HIGHER BODY TEMPERATURE

When the body temperature is higher than normal then it might be a sign of good news coming your way. Tracking of body temperature for some days may give you an idea whether you are pregnant or not. If the increased temperature stays high continuously for two weeks, may be you are pregnant.

LOW BACK PAIN

About half of all the pregnant women show early pregnancy symptom of low back pain which is caused by the mother's increased weight. In later pregnancy months too the bulging uterus gets bigger, as the baby grows larger, and this will affect her posture and torso which would inturn put strain on the back.

Lack of relaxed sleep at night and hormones and loosening of joints and ligaments also cause the early pregnancy symptoms of low back pain.

Spotting

Spotting or "implantation bleeding" is not a very common symptom in pregnancy so it is not seen as obvious symptom of pregnancy. Not many of the women report it. Actually a slight bleeding or just spotting occurs at the time when zygote implants itself to the uterine wall. It takes place usually between 3 to 6 days after fertilization. Sometimes spotting may also occur because of miscarriage so if it happens any day see the gynecologist.

WEIGHT GAIN

If you are putting on weight unavoidably and the clothes are getting tighter day by day and you feel like bloating, then it may a pre-symptom of pregnancy though not necessarily.

If you observe some of the above symptoms rush to your Gynecologist to check that if you are pregnant. If he confirms pregnancy or you are planning to conceive take daily pre-natal vitamin supplements for your as well as for the health of your baby.

Learn more about Pregnancy tips and baby care at http://www.pregnancytips.in