Uterine fibroids are the most common tumor to affect women in their childbearing years. They are normally noncancerous and are also called fibromyoma, Leiomyoma, myoma or uterine fibroids. For the most part, uterine fibroids are not harmful and often do not cause any symptoms. However, if the tumors are large they can cause pain, bladder symptoms, press on nerves in the back and cause heavy menstrual bleeding.
Doctors estimate that between 30 and 70% of women in their childbearing years will have uterine fibroids. Most of these women are unaware that they have tumors growing inside their uterus because they cause no signs or symptoms, which explains the large estimated range of women who suffer from these tumors. Physicians may find them incidentally during a pelvic examination or a prenatal ultrasound. In other cases, women present with complaints of abnormally heavy menstrual bleeding, painful menstrual cramping or pain during sexual intercourse. In rare instances, they can require emergency treatment if they cause sudden sharp pelvic pain from torn blood vessels or rapid growth.
There are both medical and surgical procedures which can shrink or remove fibroids if they cause discomfort or symptoms which are troublesome. Some of the symptoms which are more common are heavy menstrual bleeding, prolonged periods or bleeding between periods, pelvic pressure or pain or urinary incontinence, frequent urination or urine retention.
Rarely, a fibroid will cause acute pain when it outgrows its blood supply. When it begins to die, deprived of oxygen and nutrients, the byproducts will seep into surrounding tissue causing pain and fever.
The location of the uterine fibroids will also determine the type of symptoms a woman will experience throughout the month. These tumors develop from smooth muscle tissue as a single cell reproduces repeatedly and eventually creates a mass distinct from the neighboring tissue. Fibroids may develop as a single tumor or multiple tumors and in extreme cases will expand the uterus so much that it reaches the rib cage.
Fibroids more commonly grow within the uterus or the uterine wall and not near the cervix. Doctors do not know why fibroids develop and grow but some research points to several factors. The first is a genetic alteration that codes for uterine muscle cells. Hormones also play a part in the development of fibroids because fibroid tissue contains more estrogen and estrogen receptors than normal uterine muscle cells. Once a woman enters menopause and the estrogen levels begin to drop, the size of the fibroids also begins to shrink. Research points to substances that help the body maintained tissue, such as an insulin type growth factor, that affects the growth of these tumors. There is some indication that this factor is also necessary for the growth of fibroids.
Women who experience cervical fibroids may require more care during attempts to become pregnant. Depending upon the location of the fibroid it may impact the ability of the sperm to reach the egg or the function of the cervix and the integrity of the uterus. If the fibroid is small then surgeons are able to remove it using either hysteroscopy or laparoscopic. However if the size of the tumor is too large for removal through a small opening, then an open abdominal incision will be necessary.
Recovery from an open abdominal incision requires more time and patience from the woman then a laparoscopic surgical procedure. It may also delay her ability to attempt pregnancy in order to allow the uterine wall to sufficiently heal prior to becoming pregnant.
Another possibile diagnosis of growths at the cervix is a Nabothian cyst, which is a mucous filled lump on the surface of the cervix. This round and smooth bump is caused by a buildup of secretions inside a plugged cell. These appear as a small white pimple and there can be more than one. There are no symptoms for Nabothian cysts and no treatment is necessary. They do not cause any problems and they do not go away by themselves. They are a benign condition and do not affect fertility.
If you believe that you may have uterine fibroids or that they are negatively impacting your ability to have a child then it is important for you to seek the advice of an infertility expert who has experience in both diagnosis and treatment which will maintain your fertility.
Resources:
Ginecologia obstetricia de Mexico: Transcervical Myomectomy and Uterine Fibroids
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001912/
American Society for Reproductive Medicine: Fibroids and Fertility
http://www.asrm.org/Fibroids_and_Fertility/
American Society for Reproductive Medicine: Uterine Fibroids a Guide for Patients
http://www.wbamc.amedd.army.mil/Documents/Departments/WomenHealth/GynecologyObstetrics/uterine_fibroids.pdf
Johns Hopkins Medicine: Uterine Fibroid
http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/gynecology_obstetrics/specialty_areas/gynecological_services/conditions/fibroids.html
Jefferson University Hospital: Different Types of Fibroids
http://www.jeffersonhospital.org/departments-and-services/fibroid-center/fibroid-images
University of California LA: Fibroid FAQs
http://obgyn.ucla.edu/body.cfm?id=289
Women’s Surgery Center: What are Fibroids
http://www.womenssurgerycenter.com/learning-center/fibroids/
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