Healthy Advice for Fit Living

While you may believe you’re going into perimenopause, before beginning any treatment, you need to insist that your doctor perform proper testing, which may include an ultrasound. While you may think it’s simply perimenopause, it could just as easily be a fibroid tumor.

What is a fibroid tumor?
A fibroid tumor is a non-cancerous smooth muscle tumor of the uterous. Uterine fibroids are one of the most common medical conditions affecting women. While fibroids are generally harmless and non-symptomatic, they can sometimes grow to very large sizes and cause pain and other complications if not treated. Fibroid tumors are extremely common in women, 1 out of 4 women will develop a fibroid tumor. They’re generally not cancerous and most women are not aware that they have them. Fibroid tumors can develop anywhere inside or outside of the uterus on the ovaries.

If the fibroid becomes a problem, what should I look for?
Some of the symptoms to look for are excessive bleeding and clotting during periods, producing anemic complications, as well as bleeding between periods, further inducing anemia and associated severe fatigue. These heavy periods generally can be accompanied by severe pain. One of the dangers of these large fibroids is that they can grow so large that they effect other pelvic organs, such as bladder or kidney functions. A massive fibroid tumor could interfere with a pregnancy, making it difficult to conceive or carry to term. Look for tender or achy feeling, more than usual, in your abdomen area and “labor-like” cramps. Pressure in the lower back, back of the legs, and abdomen are signs that indicate a fibroid tumor may be present. Painful intercourse, frequent urination, and problems with the urinary tract are all also strong indicators of a fibroid tumor.

What causes fibroid tumors?
While it’s not known exactly what causes fibroid tumors and who will get them, it is clearly known that estrogen has a very significant and direct effect on an existing tumors, often triggering rapid growth and symptoms to develop. That’s why it’s crucial to consult with your physician before undertaking any sort of self-medication for perimenopause, such as taking menopause supplements. Proper testing and diagnosis by a qualified physician that you feel comfortable with is vital.

How are fibroid tumors treated?
Depending on the size and location of the tumor and how close a woman is to menopause, sometimes no treatment is recommended, simply “wait and see.” Other treatments include a number of options for shrinking/removing the tumor. Fibroids generally shrink with the restriction of estrogen, and so your doctor may recommend a drug called Lupron, which will temporarily block estrogen. There are several surgical remedies, including removing only the tumor, again, depending on the size and location, or a complete hysterectomy. It’s estimated that 1 in 3 hysterectomies performed is because of complications due to a fibroid tumor. All options should be looked at carefully and explored with your physician. It’s possible, depending on the treatment you choose, that the fibroids could grow back, a consideration to weigh when making decisions. A second opinion is definitely suggested. Make sure you do your own research as well for various options.

Fibroid tumors are not as scary as they sound. Keep in mind that this is just an overview. This is a topic that effects 40 percent of women and almost all of those women aren’t aware of it.