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Myoma is a type of benign tumor that forms in the muscle tissue of the uterus and can also be called fibroma or uterine leiomyoma. The location of the fibroid in the uterus can vary, as can its size, which can be microscopic or be several centimeters.
Fibroids are relatively common and, in most cases, do not cause symptoms, however some women may report colic, bleeding or difficulty getting pregnant. In such cases, the start of treatment may be indicated according to the gynecologist's guidance and characteristics of the fibroid, and the use of drugs to relieve symptoms or surgery to remove the fibroid or uterus may be recommended in the most severe cases.
What causes fibroids
The fibroid does not have a well-established cause, however it arises when the cells of the muscle tissue that form the uterus multiply in a disorderly manner, leading to the appearance of the tumor. It is possible that this disordered proliferation is also related to hormonal changes in women, because the symptoms usually appear in adult women and regress after menopause.
In addition, fibroid symptoms may also appear more frequently in women undergoing hormone replacement therapy.
Women who are most likely to have fibroids are those who have no children, who eat a diet rich in red meat and low in vegetables, obese women and those who have a family history of this disease.
Types of fibroids
Myoma can be classified into different types according to the location where it develops in the uterus, the main ones being:
- Subserous, in which the fibroid develops in the outermost part of the uterus;
- Intramural, when it appears inside the walls of the uterus;
- Submucosal, when it develops in the internal part, inside the cavity of the uterus.
Knowing the type of fibroid is important for assessing the severity of the fibroid and the need to start treatment soon after. Learn more about the types of fibroids.
Main symptoms
In most cases, uterine fibroids do not lead to the appearance of signs or symptoms, however when the fibroid is large or when several fibroids are seen in the uterus, it is possible for the woman to present some symptoms such as severe cramps, pain during intercourse, symptoms of constipation and longer menstrual period. See other symptoms of uterine fibroids.
The presence of the fibroid is verified by the gynecologist and can perform imaging tests such as ultrasound, hysteroscopy and hysterosalpingography, which assess the uterine cavity. In addition, women with uterine fibroids who wish to become pregnant, even if they have no symptoms, should be followed up with the gynecologist, as the presence of this tumor can bring some complications in pregnancy, such as abortions.
How the treatment is done
Treatment is indicated when the woman has severe symptoms, such as a lot of pain or heavy menstruation, or when she is trying to get pregnant without success. The type of treatment depends on the symptoms, the size and the type of fibroid of each woman, and should be guided by the gynecologist, which may be recommended:
- Use of anti-inflammatory drugs, such as Ibuprofen or Naproxen: they improve severe menstrual cramps and reduce excess bleeding caused by fibroids;
- Use of hormonal remedies, such as the pill: help to relieve the intensity of menstruation and reduce the size of the fibroid;
- Iron supplements: prevent and treat cases of anemia caused by excessive bleeding;
- Surgery, known as myomectomy: serves to remove the fibroid, without having to remove the uterus. It is used especially when the fibroid presses on other organs or causes very intense symptoms;
In addition, when the fibroid is very large, it may be necessary to reduce its size before having the surgery, and for this a technique known as embolization is used. In it, the doctor, through a surgical procedure, makes several injections with embolizing agent diluted in iodinated contrast through the femoral artery, until a reduction in the blood flow of the artery that nourishes the fibroid is observed, causing its death.
When a woman has a fibroid and has no plans to become pregnant, the doctor may recommend removing the uterus to eliminate the fibroid and prevent the tumor from forming again.
Does fibroid make pregnancy difficult?
Some women who have fibroids may have difficulty getting pregnant, because the fibroids can cause some deformities in the inner part of the uterus, in addition to changes in circulation and increased inflammation. In these cases, it is possible to perform treatments with hormone-based drugs, such as estrogens and androgens, or surgeries, which are myomectomy or fibroid embolization to increase the chances of becoming pregnant. See more about the treatment of fibroids in pregnancy.