Uterine fibroid are noncancerous growths that develop in or just outside a woman’s uterus (womb). Uterine fibroid develop from normal uterus muscle cells that start growing abnormally. As the cells grow, they form a benign tumor. Another medical term for fibroid is “leiomyoma” or just “Myoma”. Fibroid are almost always benign and non-cancerous. Fibroid can grow as a single tumor, or there can be many of them in the uterus. They can be as small as an apple seed or as big as a grapefruit. In unusual cases they can become very large. Fibroid are most common in women in their 40s and early 50s. Not all women with fibroid have symptoms.
Types of fibroid
- Submucosal fibroid: Grow in the submucosa, which means just below the thin layer of tissue found in the uterus. These fibroid can protrude into the uterine cavity. These are the rarest type of fibroid.
- Intramural fibroid: Grown in and are contained within the uterine wall. These are the most common type of fibroid.
- Subserosal fibroid: Grown on the outside of the uterine wall.
- Pedunculated fibroid: Types of fibroid that grow on stalks or stems. These stems are attached to the uterine wall and can grow either outside the uterus or inside the uterine cavity.
Symptoms of fibroid
- Anemia in some women, due to blood loss
- Heavy bleeding between or during your periods that includes blood clots
- Increased menstrual cramping
- Increased urination
- Menstruation that lasts longer than usual
- Pain in the pelvis and/or lower back
- Pain during intercourse
- Pressure or fullness in your lower abdomen
- Pressure on rectum, bladder or ovaries causing pain, constipation and urinary problems
- Pressure or fullness in your lower abdomen
- Swelling or enlargement of the abdomen
Risk factors
There are factors that can increase a woman’s risk of developing fibroid.
- Age: Fibroid become more common as women age, especially during the 30s and 40s through menopause. After menopause, fibroid usually shrink.
- Family history: Having a family member with fibroid increases your risk. If a woman’s mother had fibroid, her risk of having them is about three times higher than average.
- Ethnic origin: African-American women are more likely to develop fibroid than white women.
- Obesity: Women who are overweight are at higher risk for fibroid. For very heavy women, the risk is two to three times greater than average.
- Eating habits: Eating a lot of red meat (e.g., beef) and ham is linked with a higher risk of fibroid. Eating plenty of green vegetables seems to protect women from developing fibroid.
Pregnancy and Fibroid
Women who have fibroid are more likely to have problems during pregnancy and delivery. This doesn’t mean there will be problems. Most women with fibroid have normal pregnancies. The most common problems seen in women with fibroid are:
- Cesarean section. The risk of needing a c-section is six times greater for women with fibroid.
- Baby is breech. The baby is not positioned well for vaginal delivery.
- Labor fails to progress.
- Placental abruption. The placenta breaks away from the wall of the uterus before delivery. When this happens, the fetus does not get enough oxygen.
- Preterm delivery.
Complications of Fibroid
- Severe pain or very heavy bleeding that needs emergency surgery.
- Twisting of the fibroid. This can cause blocked blood vessels that feed the tumor. You may need surgery if this happens.
- Anemia (not having enough red blood cells) from heavy bleeding
- Urinary tract infections: If the fibroid presses on the bladder, it can make it hard to empty your bladder completely.
- Infertility, in rare cases.
Diagnosis of Fibroid
- Ultrasound: Uses sound waves to produce the picture. The ultrasound probe can be placed on the abdomen or it can be placed inside the vagina to make the picture.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): Uses magnets and radio waves to produce the picture
- X-rays: Uses a form of radiation to see into the body and produce the picture
- Cat scan (CT): Takes many X-ray pictures of the body from different angles for a more complete image
- Hysterosalpingogram (HSG) or Sonohysterogram: An HSG involves injecting x-ray dye into the uterus and taking x-ray pictures. A sonohysterogram involves injecting water into the uterus and making ultrasound pictures.
Homeopathic management
Homeopathy can cure uterine fibroid. Uterine fibroid fall in the category of diseases that the conventional mode of medicine class as surgical by nature. And as in all such cases, medicines work wonders to the extent that they can even do away with the need for surgery. Homeopathy can help manage the symptoms of uterine fibroid as well as dissolve them. The extent of recovery depends on the size of the fibroid and intensity of symptoms. Homeopaths offer personalized constitutional homeopathy treatment for uterine fibroid based on individual symptoms and severity of the condition. In Constitutional Homeopathy therapies, a person is treated as a whole and examined all factors including a family history to the psychological, emotional, and social conditions as well. And then homeopaths prescribe the most suitable treatment to the individual. Moreover, constitutional homeopathy treatment is very effective, safe, natural, non-invasive and without any side effects.
Homeopathic medicines
Aurum Muriaticum Natronatum
This remedy is for a depression resulting from some type of grief or disappointment in love. Enlarged uterus due to fibroids. Excessive perspiration. High blood pressure. Music improves the mood in general.
Calcarea Carbonica
Fibroid remedy used by women where the menses prolonged and the flow is profuse with dark clots. Menses are irregular or late. Constipation before menses. Backache located in lumbar-sacral region. Leucorrhoea before menses and after. Offensive smelling leucorrhoea that is white in color. The excessive flow of menses may result in infertility. Very chilly and feet are cold especially during the bleeding from uterus. Suited for women who are overweight or who gain weight easily. Many small worries, easily fearful about their loved ones. Helpful for women that tend to get overwhelmed easily and have always had problems with anxiety. Women who will benefit from this homeopathic treatment may experience cravings for sweets or eggs.
Fraxinus Americana
Used for uterine fibroid with an excessive bearing down sensation during the menstrual flow. Cramps in feet accompany the menstrual bleeding. Uterus enlarged and spreading. Watery, non-irritating leucorrhea. Fibroid with a bearing down sensation, cramps in feet. Worse in afternoon and worse at night.
Helonias Dioica
Menses too frequent, too profuse. Fibroid cause dragging in the sacral region. Prolapsed especially after miscarriage. Feel conscious of the womb. Weight and soreness of the womb. Parts feel hot, red, swollen, burn and itch terribly. Debility at menopause.
Ignatia
Fibroids developing after a grief or shock, anger or contradiction. Pain in rectum stood after, insufficient stools. Pain in right lumber region before menses. Pain that is worse lying on side. Pain in lower limbs extending down wards. Pain in chest, extending to throat.
Kali Carbonica
Low backache more before menses, better with pressure. Leucorrhoea worse after menses, better before menses. Backache associated with leucorrhoea. Heaviness of breasts before menses. Pain in the breast on touch. Hot person.
Phosphorus
Uterine fibroid with abnormally heavy uterine bleeding. Uterus that feels as though it is pushing downwards. Bright red blood, as well as clotting. Anemia. Tall and slender woman. Open, friendly, anxious and fearful. Cravings for salty or sweet foods and cold drinks.
Pulsatilla
For uterine fibroid where menses are dark and clotted. Pain in the abdomen better from pressure during menses. Pain in the abdomen better from warmth. Fear of being alone. Mild personality. Better with open air.
Sabina
Profuse uterine bleeding with clots. Bright red blood with large black clots. Hemorrhages, where blood is fluid and clots together. Cramping pains. Uterine fibroid that are accompanied with a pain in the lower back that radiates into the pubic bones. Pain from sacrum to the pubis. Worse from motion, but sometimes better walking (menses only when lying down). Violent pulsations. Worse from least motion. Worse from heat. Worse from warm air. Better in cool fresh air.
Sepia
Used for uterine fibroid with pelvic pain, abdominal discomfort, and low back pain. Uterus that feels as though it is pushing downwards. Excessive menstrual bleeding. Frequent urinary tract infections. Recurrent yeast infections. Vaginal or uterine prolapse. Reserved, tired, depressed person. Incontinence of the bladder. Exhausted and overworked women who can be irritable and want to be alone, away from their families. Better after vigorous exercise.
Thlaspi Bursa Pastoris
Uterine fibroid where the menses comes very frequently and at short intervals. Heavy flow. Severe cramping pain in uterus and back during menses. The woman will have just finished one period when the next period starts. Every alternate period is very profuse. Leucorrhea before and menses. Blood is dark, offensive; stains. Sore pain in the womb when rising. The woman just gets over one period and then another begins.
Trillium Pendulum
Used for cases of uterine fibroid where there is excessive bleeding from uterus is accompanied by fainting spells. The menstrual blood is bright red.
Ustilago Maydis
This remedy affects the female sexual organs as well as skin, hair and nails. Congestive or slow bleeding or in clots. Oozing of dark blood, clotted, forming large black strings. Feeling of a knot in the uterus, bowels, throat etc. Loss of hair and nails. Fibroid tumors are known to disappear after use.
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