Oh, you didn't know? July is Fibroid Awareness Month, in honor of this we're learning today! You have your pen & paper, right? 😉📝
What is a fibroid?
A fibroid is a benign tumor composed of the same muscle that forms the walls of the uterus. It is also called a leiomyoma, which means a benign smooth muscle tumor. Fibroids are very common, affecting 25% of all women.
How do I know if I have one?
Like other tumors, they can grow and produce symptoms, but they do not move to other areas of the body as they are benign. Fibroids can cause pelvic pain as they grow and push on other areas within the pelvis. They can also cause menstrual bleeding problems, usually heavier and longer menstrual periods, but they can also cause irregular bleeding that happens all the time. Fibroids that affect the inside of the uterus can also create reproductive problems including infertility and recurrent miscarriage.
What's the proper treatment for a fibroid?
Treating fibroids depends on the symptoms. Bleeding abnormalities can sometimes be controlled with hormones such as birth control pills. Large fibroids that cause pain or fibroids that cause reproductive disorders often need to be addressed surgically. The surgeries can be major procedures involving a larger incision on the abdomen, or they could be minor procedures, such as a hysteroscopy in which a small camera is placed into the uterus to remove smaller fibroids. The type of surgery necessary depends on the size, number, and location of the fibroids. Some women can have more than 20 fibroids present within the uterus while others can only have a single small fibroid. For women having significant symptoms after completing all family building, a hysterectomy is often the surgery performed to eliminate all symptoms of fibroids.
Great job - you passed! 🅰️
