22 May 2018 | 3 min Read
Dr Seemi Siddiqui
Author | 8 Articles
Fibroids are noncancerous tumors that are formed in the muscle tissue present within the uterus’ walls. They are often of different sizes, varying from being as tiny as a small pea to as big as an orange. They may grow outside the uterine wall, inside the uterine cavity (womb) or within the uterine wall itself. Women may even have multiple fibroids of different sizes at the same time too.
However, what exactly causes fibroids is unknown. They are commonly seen in women who have a family history of fibroids. Fibroids increase in size in response to the hormone estrogen. The growth is rapid during the reproductive period and declines by menopause as the body stops to produce estrogen. Some of the factors that contribute to the formation of fibroids include:
Often, fibroids do not produce any symptoms, even if they are large in size. They are often detected directly on a pelvic examination. When women experience symptoms, the commonest ones are:
Though fibroids are common, complications during a pregnancy are not. Usually, the woman may experience pain, fever, nausea, and vomiting. Thus, being aware of its symptoms can help timely detection and avoid potential complications like the following:
After delivery, the fibroids shrink in size becoming less bothersome. But if symptoms persist, your doctor will decide on a course of action.
Also read: Complications With Fibroids To Be Mindful Of During Pregnancy
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