Fibroids and you

While in medical school, we learnt that fibroids are common in the elderly women without kids. However nowadays, that doesn't seem to be the case. there seems to be an increasing number of young ladies suffering with a fibroid.

What is it? A fibroid is a tumour (abnormal growth) of the uterus A.K.A womb.
This tumour distorts the normal structure and function of the womb, which causes the associated symptoms noticed by women suffering the disease.

Symptoms include:

• feeling of pressure or heaviness in the lower part of the abdomen
• bulge in the lower part of the abdomen
• changes in the menstrual cycle- duration become shorter, i.e one could experience 2 periods in a month.
• increased menstrual flow.
• tiredness during menstrual flow due to excessive blood loss.
• severe menstrual cramps. 
• inability to achieve conception or to carry pregnancy to term.

How to diagnose
Should in case you have any of  the above symptoms, its best you checked with a doctor. Who would prescribe you have a scan done to confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment
The ultimate treatment for fibroids is surgery. the procedure is called a Myomectomy (removal of the growth). However in some occasions following a myomectomy, after a number of years, a fibroid could still reoccur, hence in women who do not desire children anymore, it could be advisable to have the womb taken out a procedure called Hysterectomy.

Note, other forms of intervention given are supportive, and do not address the main problem.
The symptoms especially excessive bleeding could be very fatal if not promptly addressed.
If you or someone you know are suffering from a fibroid, please talk with your doctor, so you can choose a treatment option best for you.

xo