Uterine Fibroids: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

Uterine Fibroids: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

What are uterine fibroids?

Uterine fibroids are single or multiple benign tumors with round-like appearance which are attached to the inner muscle layer of the uterus, called the myometrium. They usually appear during the middle and later reproductive stage for women, and frequently, when relatively small, they are accompanied by no symptoms at all. Once menopause has begun, the fibroids begin to reduce in their size. But the big question is, Can I get pregnant with uterine fibroids? Claim Your 20 Free Pregnancy Tests – Click Here

Fibroids can cause infertility

Their presence does often interfere with fertility, and decreases the chances of pregnancy. Furthermore, during pregnancy they could lead to miscarriage or premature labor. In some cases, fibroids can also cause different symptoms, such as abnormal and painful menstrual cycles, bloating, bleeding in-between periods and back aches. The fibroids located in the uterine submucosal area – the muscle layer beneath the inner lining of the uterine cavity – are directly responsible for abnormal pain, excessive bleeding and infertility, even in the case of a single, relatively small nodule.

Surgery can restore fertility

This type of fibroid poses more problems in regards to women’s fertility than any other type of uterine fibroids. This is because, at first, it occurs in the smooth muscle area, but then it extends to the uterine cavity where it can impede the implantation of a fertilized egg. Usually, the treatment for this condition is surgical, and once the problem is dealt with, fertility improves, the possibility of conceiving enhances, and problems during pregnancy become less likely to appear.

Unlike submucosal fibroids, the other two types of uterine fibroids, the intramural and subserosal fibroids do not interfere with women’s fertility as much and as a result, they do not require treatment. However, regardless of their size, the sooner the submucosal fibroids are surgically removed, the better the chances are to improve your fertility in the long run.

What if I become pregnant before surgery?

In case you choose not to go along with surgery, and if you do become pregnant, you could experience complications related to the position of the fetus, organ pressure, discomfort and pain. This is because the fibroids will continue to increase in size together with the fetus. In order to avoid such issues, medical practitioners recommend removing them prior to trying to conceive a baby.

What causes uterine fibroids?

Among the causes that can determine the presence of uterine fibroids are issues regarding genetic predisposition, such as in the case of female relatives who have had this disorder along with an improper balance between estrogen and progesterone levels. Higher levels of estrogen are directly linked to this condition, and they can cause disturbing hormonal imbalances. Addressing the estrogen issue is the key to preventing the uterine fibroids from settling in, from puberty to menopause. Once the fibroids have appeared, treatment is required when they are accompanied by bothersome symptoms.

The bottom line

Typically, the larger the fibroid, the more likely it is to cause visible symptoms. In terms of fertility status and possible pregnancy, it is necessary to take the matter of uterine fibroids seriously, and depending on the diagnosis and the type of fibroid, you will have to decide whether to pursue the surgical treatment or turn to a natural approach for shrinking the fibroids. The latter implies that the treatment is often long-term with no instant visible results.

All in all, the decision to go along with one treatment or another will help improve your fertility, and eventually the chances of an easy, carefree pregnancy will increase exponentially.

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Dr. Prabha Sahgal, MD
Dr. Prabha Sahgal, MD | ConceiveEasy
Dr. Prabha Sahgal MD, is board certified in obstetrics and gynecology and subspecialty board certified in reproductive endocrinology and infertility. Dr. Sahgal holds a B.S. degree from MIT in molecular biology and currently serves on the ConceiveEasy board of directors.

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