By Dr Naresh Purohit
-Advisor for National Reproductive and Child Health Programme (RCH)
-Executive Member of the Federation of Reproductive Health Services - India (FRHS - India)
New Delhi: The occurence of fibroids are quite common. Research studies show that 20- 50 per cent of Indian women have fibroids once during their lifetime.
There is 50 percent surge in fibroid cases in the country now when compared to the last 5 years. The age group mostly affected is 30 years and above . Fibroid development occurs in women usually in their thirties or forties but is increasingly becoming common among young girls today. In the past, most women bear children in their twenties and early thirties, but these days more and more women are choosing to start a family later in life. Hence, the adverse effects of fibroids on the fertility of women have come to light.About 20 per cent of women in general have fibroid by the age of 35 and that goes up to 70 per cent for women by 50.
Women are more likely to have fibroids if they are overweight, because of the increase in oestrogen levels. Depending on the oestrogen levels in the body of pregnant women, existing fibroids may grow faster.
Fibroids don’t always effect women’s fertility, as they may be either small or occur in areas that don’t affect the reproductive system.
Uterine fibroids, also known as leiomyomas or myomas, are muscular tumours that can be found on a womans uterus and are rarely cancerous. Women typically experience uterine fibroids during their child-bearing years, usually between the ages of 30 and 40.
It is important to note that multiple fibroids can occur, starting as small as a seed and growing to the size of a melon. Not all women will experience symptoms, but the common signs include excessive bleeding during periods, pelvic pain, frequent urination, bladder pressure, rectum pain, lower back pain, constipation, bloating, prolonged periods lasting more than 7 days, blood clots and bleeding outside of menstrual cycles.
Uterine fibroids are not life-threatening, but they can cause discomfort and lead to fatigue due to the loss of red blood cells (anaemia) from heavy bleeding. Furthermore, women may also face depression, anxiety, stress and panic. Consequently, many women opt for hysterectomies to address this issue.
It is crucial not to ignore this condition and seek immediate attention. Women should not hesitate to discuss this problem with your doctor and take action before any delays occur.
Factors responsible for development of Fibroids:
1. Hormonal imbalances: Estrogen and progesterone, hormones that regulate the menstrual cycle, are thought to play a role in fibroid growth. Fibroids tend to grow during the reproductive years when hormone levels are at their highest and often shrink after menopause when hormone levels decline.
2. Genetic predisposition: There may be a genetic component to fibroid development, as women with a family history of fibroids are more likely to develop them.
3. Lifestyle and diet: Some studies have suggested that factors such as obesity and a diet high in red meat and low in fruits and vegetables may increase the risk of fibroids.
4. Reproductive history: Women who have never given birth or had their first child at a later age may have an increased risk of developing fibroids.
5. Other factors: Other factors, such as insulin-like growth factors, inflammation and vascular growth factors, may also play a role in fibroid development.
Its important to note that while these factors are associated with fibroids, the exact interplay between them remains complex and requires further research. Fibroids are non-cancerous and naturally decrease in size after menopause. To address problematic fibroids and enhance the quality of life, various methods can be employed, including the use of a progestin- releasing intrauterine device (IUD), medication, laparoscopic or robotic myomectomy, as well as traditional surgical procedures like hysterectomy and abdominal myomectomy.
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