Pregnancy And Fibroids

Fibroid is a growth (lump) that develop in and around the womb.  The lump contains muscle and tissue fibre. The lump of the fibroid is non-cancerous (it is not a cancer)

Why do women develop fibroid?

The exact cause of fibroid is not known. But what is known is that it is linked with oestrogen (the hormone that is produced by the woman’s ovaries)

Fibroids develops during the reproductive years when the woman’s oestrogen is highest, and they tend to shrink after menopause when the woman’s periods had stopped.

Fibroids are common among African women. It is important to know that fibroids vary in size. Some can be the size of a peanut, whereas others can be size of paw-paw fruit.

Fibroids can develop in the wall of the womb (intramural), or outside the wall of the womb (subserosal) and in the muscle layer beneath the lining of the womb (submucosal).

It is important to know that the majority of women who have fibroids do not know they have it because it is not causing any problems. These women do not need any treatment.

The problems fibroids can cause

Fibroid is a growth (lump) that develop in and around the womb.  The lump contains muscle and tissue fibre. The lump of the fibroid is non-cancerous (it is not a cancer)

Why do women develop fibroid?

The exact cause of fibroid is not known. But what is known is that it is linked with oestrogen (the hormone that is produced by the woman’s ovaries)

Fibroids develops during the reproductive years when the woman’s oestrogen is highest, and they tend to shrink after menopause when the woman’s periods had stopped.

Fibroids are common among African women. It is important to know that fibroids vary in size. Some can be the size of a peanut, whereas others can be size of paw-paw fruit.

Fibroids can develop in the wall of the womb (intramural), or outside the wall of the womb (subserosal) and in the muscle layer beneath the lining of the womb (submucosal).

It is important to know that the majority of women who have fibroids do not know they have it because it is not causing any problems. These women do not need any treatment.

The problems fibroids can cause

• Heavy periods
• Pain in the abdomen
• Lower back pain
• Urinating frequently (when the fibroid is pressing on your bladder)
• Constipation (when the fibroid is pressing on your intestine)
• Discomfort during sex.

Since most of the time fibroids do not cause problems, they are sometimes diagnosed by chance with ultrasound scan.

It important to know that only in rare cases that fibroids cause infertility or can affect pregnancy. This means you can have fibroid, still conceive and have children.

Infertility may occur when the fibroid is large. Sometimes it prevents fertilised egg attaching to the lining of the womb or prevent the sperm from reaching the egg.

 Also, large fibroids can grow from the muscle wall into cavity of the womb (the space where the baby grows) and if it is really big can block the cavity making it harder for you to become pregnant but this is rare.

Problems during Pregnancy.

If fibroids are present during pregnancy, it can sometimes lead to problems like abdominal pain during pregnancy, risk of premature labour or miscarriage (this is rare)

Treatment

Treatment is not necessary if you do not have any problems or complaints.

Fibroids shrink after menopause (when you stop having periods) and usually your complaints if you have any, would disappear.

     Medication: The type of medication used in treatment would depend on the type of complaints you have. Some medications would help stop the complaints and there are some medications that shrink the fibroids.

      Surgery:  Surgery to remove the fibroids may be considered if your complaints are severe and medication has not worked. There are different types of surgery that can be used to treat fibroids.