Fibroids are abnormal growths in a woman’s uterus or around the uterus. Fibroids are benign tumors. They can become large, but these growths are not cancerous, and a very small number of fibroids transform into cancer (almost none).
Fibroids are the most common tumor in females. They are known by different names, such as fibromas, or their clinical names: uterine myomas and leiomyomas. Most of the time, patients with fibroids do not report any symptoms at all, and it is estimated that every 1 in 3 patients with fibroids will have symptoms. Most women with fibroids are not even aware they have them in the first place. Fibroids are benign tumors in the smooth muscle of the uterus and may transform into a malignant form called leiomyosarcoma, but this is very rare.
Why do fibroids develop? It is an important question because no exact cause has been identified until now. There are risk factors, though. For example, hormonal imbalances may stimulate the progress of fibroids. There are two main hormones produced by the ovaries known as estrogen and progesterone. Estrogen, being the primary reproductive hormone in females, is at its peak from 16 years old until synthesis becomes reduced around 50 years old. After this age, women do not have estrogen during menopause. It is during these active years that females develop fibroids because estrogen is responsible for the regeneration of the lining tissues of the uterus. Thus, when the endometrial linings of the uterus get estrogen in excess, it results in these abnormal growths. Other risk factors include pregnancy and a positive family history of fibroids
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Fibroids do not usually grow at one single location. They are usually multiple, found at different positions above the uterus or inside the uterus muscle layer. The symptoms of fibroids are linked to the location and number of tumors. The symptoms of fibroids that usually lead to the diagnosis of this condition are as follows:
Menorrhagia
Under normal circumstances, females undergo a natural menstrual cycle in which the linings of the endometrium (inner surface of the uterus) undergoes hormonal changes that result in bleeding after every 28 days. Typically, this bleeding remains for 2 to 3 days until the endometrium is completely destroyed. After clearance, a new lining starts growing in the presence of estrogen hormone.
In females with fibroids, these patients will likely complain of heavy bleeding during her periods or in between her periods, which may contain blood clots. This bleeding continues for a very long period, sometimes more than one week, and a massive volume of blood is lost. One way to measure menorrhagia is through the use of sanitary pads, which get soaked in a short period of time. Thus, your doctor may ask you how many sanitary pads you need to replace every day as a means to know how much blood you’ve lost.