Uterine fibroids can become a real headache for women. This problem affects women of all ages, but is more common between the ages of 30 and 50, and can greatly interfere with getting pregnant, but does not prevent pregnancy. A uterine fibroid is nothing more than one or more nodules in the interior or lower muscle layer of the uterus. The exact reason why uterine fibroids develop is still unknown, but some theories suggest that they appear during puberty due to the increased hormones at this stage. Another factor being investigated is genetics — in other words, women who have a family history of uterine fibroids are more likely to have them as well. The symptoms of uterine fibroids can include:

  • Heavy menstrual bleeding
  • Abdominal pain during intercourse or in daily life
  • Visible swelling on one side of the abdomen

Rarely, if ever, do uterine fibroids become malignant tumors. These fibroids can simply make it more difficult to get pregnant or compromise the quality of life of those who have them, as they cause constant pain and bleeding. However, there are benign fibroid nodules that are painless and can be of several types, such as:

Intramural: in the middle of the uterine wall. Pedunculated: Similar to ovarian tumors but benign, and are connected by a very thin stalk, known as a pedicle. Submucosal: Inside the uterus, these are responsible for excessive and irregular bleeding. Subserosal: Located on the outside of the uterus; these are the ones that cause pain by pressing on other organs. Depending on their size, they may need to be removed immediately.

The procedures for detecting fibroids include ultrasound, computed tomography, or imaging exams in general, specifically for this purpose, or even a pelvic exam at the doctor’s office to check for any deformity in the size and shape of the uterus. A biopsy can also help diagnose fibroids. The main issue with uterine fibroids arises when a woman wants to become pregnant, especially if the fibroid is submucosal (inside the uterus), as it causes bleeding in the endometrium. However, women with fibroids can still get pregnant. Since hysterectomy may be recommended in many more severe cases, alternative treatments such as medication and nodule removal should be considered so that women wishing to conceive have a better chance of motherhood. Your doctor can guide you on the best solution.

The treatment for uterine fibroids depends on their size and the severity of the situation. Usually, a laparoscopic surgery is performed to remove the fibroid, and this is the safest alternative for those wanting to become pregnant. In milder cases, medication can help greatly with recovery and assist in “shrinking” the uterine fibroid. This procedure is called embolization. Embolization works by cutting off the blood supply to the area where the fibroid is located, causing it to shrink significantly. This has proven to be a faster and less invasive alternative compared to surgery.

Laura was diagnosed at age 25 with a fibroid inside her uterus, and a year after diagnosis, she underwent surgery to remove the nodule. Today at 35, she has two children from her 20-year marriage, Milena, 9, and Felipe, 5. “Since I was a teenager I would feel intense pain during my period and even outside of it. Everyone told me it was normal to have cramps, even my mother had a lot of pain during her period. The problem arose when I got married and wanted to conceive. We tried for many years and then I decided to investigate the reasons for my infertility and pain. I remember it like it was yesterday; the doctor told me the fibroid was the size of a medium orange and that was why I couldn’t get pregnant. After surgery and recovery, it took only three months for me to conceive. So I highly recommend that you investigate if you can’t get pregnant or experience a lot of pain. I didn’t have excessive bleeding, but still had a large fibroid.”

If you have abdominal pain and heavy bleeding, you should see your gynecologist for tests to determine if you have any type of uterine fibroid. And if you want to become pregnant, know that it is possible, and depending on your case, simple treatments can make it possible to have a safe pregnancy.

See also: Polycystic Ovaries – Can You Get Pregnant with this Syndrome?

Photo: Ed Uthman