Dear readers, today let's talk about a disease called Fibroid. What all we should know about this disease. What are the other names of this disease?

Well, Fibroid is also known as Myoma, Fibromyoma or Leiomyoma.

• Most of the time these fibroids remain silent, without causing any problem and they are diagnosed suddenly when we are doing sonography for other reasons.

• Sometimes they cause symptom in lower abdomen of women & so when we do sonography the report says there is myoma.

What actually a fibroid is?

This is the most common benign (non-cancerous) change of uterus.
Fibroids are abnormal growths that develop in or on a woman's uterine muscle. Though they are termed as tumour, usually they don't turn into cancer (risk is very very low). A women may develop one or more than one fibroid in/on her uterus or near her uterus.

What causes a fibroid to develop?
Till now exact cause is not known. Genetic factors are associated with it. They may be related to high oestrogen hormone level.

The risk factors for a fibroid to develop

• Family history, genetic origin
• Increase body fat, increase oestrogen hormone
• African American race
• Infertility
• Vitamin D deficiency
• Early onset of menstruation
• Alcohol
• Diet low in fruits and vegetables

If you are suffering from any of the following symptoms, then this could indicate towards fibroid & you should visit your doctor.

• Heavy menstruation bleeding , leading to Anaemia (constant weakness, breathing difficulty).
• Pain in lower abdomen and a constant pressure.
• Pain during sexual intercourse.
• Pain during menstruation.
• Constipation and bloating.
• Frequent need to urinate.

The types of fibroid.

All these symptoms depends on where the fibroid is situated

• Whether it is inside the uterine cavity(submucous),
• Or within the uterine muscle(intramural),
• Or outside the uterine wall(subserous).

Now-a-days, we classify the position of myoma on the basis of FIGO classification as O -7(zero to seven).

How can we diagnose these fibroids?

Well, an experienced radiologist with a good sonography machine, usually a 3D sonography machine can very well diagnose
— the number of fibroids,
— their sizes and
— the position.

Sometimes to diagnose it correctly, we may have to take the help of MRI of lower abdomen.

Does all fibroids needs surgery?

If the fibroid is asymptomatic, means if it is not causing any disturbance to the women, no need of surgery on emergency basis.

But we must regularly check the fibroid status for any change, usually once in a year by sonography, or earlier if there is any problem.

The type of surgery required to remove the fibroid

• In today's world almost all type of fibroids can be removed either via laparoscopy or hysteroscopy.

• Rarely, laparotomy (open surgery ) or hysterectomy (removal of uterus) is needed.

Benefits of laparoscopy

• It's patient friendly.
• Shorter hospital stay (can be discharged within 24 hours).
• Can resume duty or daily activities after 24 hours.