Types of Uterine Fibroids

The type of fibroid a woman develops depends on its location in or on the uterus .

Symptoms

Causes

1. Genetic changes - Many fibroids contain changes in genes that differ from those in normal uterine muscle cells.
2. Hormones - Estrogen and progesterone, two hormones that stimulate development of the uterine lining during each menstrual cycle in preparation for pregnancy, appear to promote the growth of fibroids.
3. Fibroids contain more estrogen and progesterone receptors than normal uterine muscle cells do. Fibroids tend to shrink after menopause due to a decrease in hormone production.
4. Other growth factors - Substances that help the body maintain tissues, such as insulin-like growth factor, may affect fibroid growth.
5. Extracellular matrix (ECM) - ECM is the material that makes cells stick together, like mortar between bricks. ECM is increased in fibroids and makes them fibrous. ECM also stores growth factors and causes biologic changes in the cells themselves.
6. Family history - Fibroids may run in the family. If your mother, sister, or grandmother has a history of this condition, you may develop it as well.
7. Pregnancy - Pregnancy increases the production of estrogen and progesterone in your body. Fibroids may develop and grow rapidly while you’re pregnant.

Risk factors

There are few known risk factors for uterine fibroids, other than being a woman of reproductive age.Factors that can have an impact on fibroid development include:

• Race. Although any woman of reproductive age can develop fibroids, black women are more likely to have fibroids than are women of other racial groups. In addition, black women have fibroids at younger ages, and they're also likely to have more or larger fibroids, along with more-severe symptoms.
• Heredity. If your mother or sister had fibroids, you're at increased risk of developing them.
• Other factors. Onset of menstruation at an early age; obesity; a vitamin D deficiency; having a diet higher in red meat and lower in green vegetables, fruit and dairy; and drinking alcohol, including beer, appear to increase your risk of developing fibroids.

Complication

Complications with pregnancy to include placental abruption, decreased fetal growth, or preterm delivery. they can cause discomfort and may lead to complications such as a drop in red blood cells (anemia), which causes fatigue, from heavy blood loss. Rarely, a transfusion is needed due to blood loss.

Diagnosis

Other imaging tests

If traditional ultrasound doesn't provide enough information.

1. Ultrasound

   An ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to produce images of your uterus on a screen. This will allow your doctor to see its internal structures and any fibroids present. A transvaginal ultrasound, in which the ultrasound wand is inserted into the vagina, may provide clearer pictures since it’s closer to the uterus during this procedure.

2. Lab tests

   If you have abnormal menstrual bleeding, your doctor may order other tests to investigate potential causes. These might include a complete blood count (CBC) to determine if you have anemia because of chronic blood loss and other blood tests to rule out bleeding disorders or thyroid problems.

3. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

   This imaging test can show in more detail the size and location of fibroids, identify different types of tumors and help determine appropriate treatment options. An MRI is most often used in women with a larger uterus or in women approaching menopause (perimenopause).

4. Hysterosonography

   Hysterosonography also called a saline infusion sonogram, uses sterile saline to expand the uterine cavity, making it easier to get images of submucosal fibroids and the lining of the uterus in women attempting pregnancy or who have heavy menstrual bleeding.

5. Hysterosalpingography

   Hysterosalpingography uses a dye to highlight the uterine cavity and fallopian tubes on X-ray images. Your doctor may recommend it if infertility is a concern. This test can help your doctor determine if your fallopian tubes are open or are blocked and can show some submucosal fibroids.

6. Hysteroscopy

   For this, your doctor inserts a small, lighted telescope called a hysteroscope through your cervix into your uterus. Your doctor then injects saline into your uterus, expanding the uterine cavity and allowing your doctor to examine the walls of your uterus and the openings of your fallopian tubes.

HOMOEOPAHIC MEDICINES FOR UTERINE FIBROIDS

1. Sepia

   It is one of the best choices in homeopathic treatment for uterine fibroids when the main symptoms are low back pain, discomfort of abdominal region, and a feeling of ball in the vagina. Patient also has repeated urinary tract infections. Patient sits in cross-legged position for relief. Pelvic pain or discomfort, low back pain, frequent urinary tract infections and recurrent yeast infections, vaginal or uterine prolapse. Reserved, tired, depressed.

2. Thlaspi Bursa Pastoris

   This is yet another wonderful remedy in homeopathic treatment for uterine fibroids in patients who have frequent menses at very short intervals. The patient experiences severe cramps and pain in the lower abdomen and back.

3. Aurum Muriaticum

   The sodium salt of the gold chloride decrease fibroids size by treating congestion and in duration of female genital organs. The woman may also suffer from depression, high blood pressure, palpitations.

4. Bufo rana

   It is a palliative remedy of uterine fibroid for controlling pains and other symptoms including menorrhagia and metrorrhagia. However, it could be prove curative in uterine fibroids if given to a female who have strong sexual desire that can be satisfied with coition and females are indulge in masturbation.

5. Calcarea phos

   This bio chemic salt remedy is highly efficacious for uterine fibroids on the basis of constitution of patient. Females are lean, thin, and anemic with weak bones, too early, excessive, and bright menses.

6. Lycopodium

   Lycopodium is a constitutional remedy for many ailments prescribed on the basis of mentality and physical appearance. Lycopodium proved to be highly efficacious remedy in case of females with loss of confidence who suppress their Youngers and is suppressed by their elders and who have marked emaciation particularly of upper body parts.

7. Carcinocin

   Carcinosin is a nosode and given in all cases of malignant outgrowths, although, uterine fibroids are mostly benign but sometimes cancerous predisposition in family history of patients of uterine fibroids necessitates the administration of Carcinocin as an inter-current remedy .

8. Thuja

   Fibroid of any type with enlargement of uterus. Heaviness of the lower abdomen .

9. Medorrhinum

   Hypertrophy and fibroids with clotted, dark, offensive, profuse menstruation stains difficult to wash out, urinates frequently during menses .

10. Calcarea carb

    A very good remedy in homeopathic treatment for uterine fibroids in females who are fat, fair and flabby. Patient has abnormal heavy menstrual bleeding which lasts for many days. This remedy is used for uterine fibroids on the basis of constitution of patient along with local symptoms of cutting uterine pains. This is a suitable remedy in fatty, flabby and mostly fair females who have early, profuse and long lasting menstruation. The complaints are mostly aggravated after hard work and strain. Calcarea carb is highly efficacious in those cases where constitution of the patient and local symptoms match. Fibroids in menopause with heavy menstrual bleeding Chilly, stout and slow woman, easily tired by exertion.

11. Calcarea flour

    This bio chemic salt remedy is highly efficacious in restoring the lost elasticity of smooth muscles and remove hard tumors of any smooth muscle. Uterus, being a smooth muscle organ, is a main target of action of this remedy. If uterine fibroids are of stony hardness and there are indurated swellings in uterine region, this remedy is highly recommended for treatment of uterine fibroids. Moreover, if uterine fibroid with bearing down pains are presented, this remedy could cure the case. Stony hard and multiple fibroids, fibrocystic breast disease. The woman is also prone to joint pain or bone spurs, hemorrhoids, varicose veins.

12. Phosphorus

    Phosphorus is a remedy for highly sensitive, intelligent and long slender females having uterine fibroids along with marked stitching pains in uterine region. This is a suitable remedy in lean thin heighted females who have early, scanty and long lasting menstruation. Fibroids with heavy uterine bleeding, Anemia. Tall and slender woman. Open, friendly, anxious and fearful.

13. Apis mellifica

    Apis is a remedy for females who develop uterine fibroid due to suppressed sexual desire, jealousy with local symptoms of marked tenderness over uterine region. This is a suitable remedy in females who have painful menstruation with stinging burning pains.

14. Conium

    Conium is a remedy for any kind of tumors including uterine fibroid that are caused by suppression of unsatisfied sexual desire, from excessive indulgence or from effects of some sort of injury. It is suitable for uterine fibroids with dysmenorrhea and pain in thighs .