What are myomas and why do they appear?
The myomas(also known medically with the name of fibroids where they tend to appear, like uterine fibroidsOr simply leiomyomas), are generally benign but abnormal masses of smooth muscle tissue, which tend to be located usually in the uterus as around him. However, in certain cases they can also arise in the cervix.
In fact, depending on their location, they tend to be divided into three categories: subservient, intramural and submucosal. While subsystorous myomas are usually the most common (approximately 55% of myomas are), 40% tend to be intramural and only 5% submucosal.
What are the causes why they appear?
Although there is medical evidence that suggests that Estrogens can directly influence the growth of fibroids(1), the exact cause that causes the appearance of uterine fibroids is not entirely clear, nor is it well established.
It is believed that the hereditary factor can influence its appearance. However, from a medical point of view, it is accepted that we would rather face an estrogen-dependent tumor.
On the other hand, it has been found that uterine myomas usually affect women with a family history, who suffer from high blood pressure and who suffer from obesity.
They usually occur in women who are between the ages of 30 and 50.
In most cases they do not require treatment, unless they grow over time and cause problems or symptoms. What's more, after menopause they tend to decrease in size.
What are the symptoms of the uterine fibroid?
Did you know that, in reality, many uterine fibroids usually do not present any type of symptom? This does not mean that there are no symptoms in certain women. In fact, it is estimated that about one third of patients who are diagnosed with myomas present some obvious symptoms or signs.
Among these symptoms we can mention especially the following (2):
- Abdominal mass
- Swelling and pain that is located in the pelvis or lower abdomen.
- Low back pain
- Infertility
- Complications during pregnancy or at the time of delivery.
- Need to urinate with a greater frequency.
- Menstrual periods longer than normal.
- Weight gain.
- Pain sensation during sexual intercourse.
- Symptoms of compression of neighboring organs.
There are a number of symptoms of uterine fibroids that have been considered as more common, such as abnormal or unusual uterine bleeding, low back pain or pain of low back pain and pain in the lower abdomen or pelvis.
Do they affect fertility or pregnancy?
Uterine fibroids can affect a woman's fertility, being able to cause infertility depending on the size, number and location of them. Moreover, they can interfere with the normal development of pregnancy, and may cause repeated miscarriages, either during the first trimester or premature births.
Luckily, when the uterine fibroid is diagnosed early, it can be done myomectomy, which consists of an operation in which the fibroids are extracted from the uterus, preserving the latter, so that the woman retains her reproductive potential.
But before reaching surgical treatment in recent years, the effectiveness of the ulipristal acetate for the treatment of uterine fibroids (AUP), in repeated cycles of treatments for 3 months, helping in some cases to reduce the volume of the myoma and controlling many of its symptoms, such as bleeding at the end of each cycle. See references consulted
(1) Stewart EA. Epidemiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and natural history of uterine leiomyomas (fibroids). Available at: //www.uptodate.com/contents/uterine-leiomyomas-fibroids-epidemiology-clinical-features-diagnosis-and-natural-history
(2) David G. Mutch, Ira C, Judith Gall, Scott W. Biest. Uterine myomas (Leiomyomas, myomas). Available at: //www.msdmanuals.com/es-es/professional/ginecologi- cia-and-obstetricia/motos-uterinos/motos-uterinos This article is published for informational purposes only. It can not and should not replace the consultation with a Physician. We advise you to consult your Trusted Doctor. ThemesInfertility
