Fibroids, also known as uterine myoma, are noncancerous growths in the uterus. They are simply globs of muscles within the uterine muscle. Think of them as moles on your skin; bunches of muscle fibres that form into solid clumps and can be found in varying shapes and sizes. 

These growths can develop within the wall of the uterus, inside its main cavity or on its outer surface and can range from the size of a walnut to the size of a football. The different types of fibroids are defined based on where a fibroid develops: 

Intramural: Form within the muscular wall of the uterus and are the most common type of fibroid.

Subserosal: Grow on the outside wall of the uterus.

Submucosal: Develop in the middle muscle layer of the uterus.

Fibroids are more common than you think. In fact, up to 80% of women have fibroids by the age of 50. Many may not even know it and some ethnicities have a higher prevalence. 

What causes fibroids? 

The exact reasons are unknown. It’s like when we are born with a mole or a birthmark, we don’t really know why. They are just there.

The prevalence does vary with race and ethnicity. Recently, there has been a correlation seen between fibroids and estrogen dominance (hormonal imbalance leading to other estrogen related conditions). 

Obesity is also a risk factor. Recent data shows that being overweight, having a poor diet and a lack of exercise can cause a vicious cycle leading to estrogen overactivity which in turn can lead to fibroid growth. 

Fibroids are usually painless, and many women don’t even know they have them. However, they can sometimes grow, change or cause trouble. 

Some symptoms of uterine fibroids include heavy menstrual bleeding, prolonged periods, and pelvic pain.

How are fibroids diagnosed? 

Fibroids are often found during routine pelvic exams when your doctor identifies irregularities in the shape of your uterus. If your gynecologist notices irregularities during an exam or you’ve communicated with them that you have symptoms, they’ll likely send you for tests to confirm a diagnosis.

Ultrasound

An ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to get a picture of your uterus to map and measure fibroids. Ultrasound devices can either be used over your abdomen or placed inside your vagina. 

Pelvic MRI

An MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) provides a more in-depth picture of your uterus, ovaries, and other pelvic organs. It is helpful to show the size and location of fibroids and help determine treatment options.

What health risks are associated with fibroids?

There are quite a few myths out there about what health risks are truly tied to fibroids.

First, fibroids are rarely painful. That said, if a fibroid is obstructing nerves or degenerating (the cells are dying), you’ll likely experience pain.

Another misconception is that fibroids cause weight gain. Only if a fibroid grows to be really big, which is rare, would there be weight gain associated with it. For this to happen, they need to grow to the size of a pumpkin or a football.

For women experiencing heavier than normal periods, only 30% of the time are fibroids the culprit. Fibroids grown within the uterine cavity can cause heavy or prolonged periods.

Fibroids are rarely cancerous. Less than 1% of fibroids develop into cancer.

How are fibroids treated?

Most fibroids require no treatment at all, but can be treated with medication or removed if needed.

For example, if your fibroids are resulting in heavy bleeding, growing rapidly or causing problems with urinating, your doctor may elect to treat or remove them. It’s important to note that fibroids almost always come back, which is why we recommend trying everything before jumping into surgery.

A healthy diet and an active lifestyle is also recommended to help control fibroid growth.

If you have fibroids, it’s recommended that you monitor for changes and consult your doctor if you’re experiencing symptoms.

Have more questions about fibroids? Contact us at info@walkingyn.com. 

Be safe, be strong and be prepared!

Dr. Adeeti Gupta

The post What you must know about Fibroids! appeared first on Walk In GYN Care.

THE PROS

Environmentally-friendly

Menstrual cups are great news for the conscious shopper, as most are designed for long-term use and are made with sustainability in mind. Maryville University points out how brands are willing to spend big bucks to take advantage of marketing trends, which includes using buzzwords like “environmentally-friendly” and “sustainability” to expand their target markets. Thankfully, this is not the case with menstrual cups, as they are actually good for the earth by design. Unlike tampons and napkins, cups don’t clog up landfills and use up trees during their production.

Lower costs

A cost breakdown on The Huffington Post reveals that a woman will spend around $1,800 on feminine hygiene in her lifetime, with the bulk of it going on constantly buying tampons. Investing in a menstrual cup means you’ll spend less on your periods as you can just use the same device over and over again. Keep in mind that some menstrual cups are disposable, so it’s important to read the fine print before purchasing one.

Fewer visits to the bathroom

Compared to tampons, which you need to change every four to eight hours, you can use menstrual cups up to 12 hours depending on your flow. However, it is generally recommended that you clean and change your cup every 4 to 6 hours to avoid infections. This still means fewer trips to the bathroom and less interruptions during your daily activities. It’ll also give you a better idea of just how much blood comes out during your period — it may be much less than you initially thought.
The cons of using a menstrual cup

Gross and messy factors

The main complaint with menstrual cups is that emptying it can be a messy process. Although most will find their own technique to empty the cup in a relatively clean way after a few tries, some may never get over the gross sight or feeling of it. Taking it out and cleaning it in a public bathroom just complicates things even more.

Comfort issue

Although not as daunting and invasive as the process of inserting an IUD, menstrual cups still take some getting used to. Removing the cup will take some practice, and reinserting it may not be the most pleasant feeling for some. Others may find that it’s difficult to find a cup that fits just right, and will have to go through different brands and shapes to find the perfect one. If your cup is leaking, it’s probably too small for your vagina. It’s really a case of trial and error, so don’t hesitate to try and change cup sizes if the one you buy doesn’t fit right. A rule of thumb to remember is that the small ones are usually for younger women with no history of child birth, while the larger cups are for older women who have previously given birth. Another reason a menstrual cup may be hard to insert is a vaginal infection, which can cause irritation during insertion, consult with your doctor if this is the case.

THE CONS

Health risks

As with any device that comes in close contact with our bodies, using menstrual cups come with some health risks, too. For instance, researchers from Western University reported a case involving a woman contracting toxic shock syndrome from using her menstrual cup — a common fear that people have about any kind of feminine hygiene product. The case study is a reminder that women should take all the necessary precautions and be vigilant about cleaning menstrual cups thoroughly between uses, as they can harbor unwanted bacteria that can cause complications. Aside from regular cleaning, avoid having sex with your menstrual cup on, as this can push it in deep and cause it to get stuck. If your cup does get stuck, simply press on it gently and slowly release it from the edges until it comes out. Don’t pull your cup because this will make the situation worse — see your doctor if you cannot get a menstrual cup out on your own.

The importance of comfort, proper hygiene, and access to the right supplies cannot be understated for menstruating women. UNICEF highlights how women menstruate for approximately 7 years during their lifetime, a big chunk of time and a significant one in an average woman’s life. With this in mind, it’s crucial for women everywhere to be familiar with options like tampons and menstrual cups in order to find the solution that suits them best.

Article specially written for WalkInGyn.Com
By: Alice Aria

The post Menstrual cups unravelled! appeared first on Walk In GYN Care.