Signs and Symptoms of Fibroid Tumors

Fibroid tumor is a growth that appears on organs composed of smooth muscle cells and fibrous tissues. This non-cancerous tumor is commonly detected in the woman's uterus. It has a firm rubbery texture, and is spherical in shape. A fibroid can be as small as 1 mm to as large as 20 cm.

Uterine fibroid tumor affects a woman during her reproductive age. Research has shown that, 20% - 40% of women between 30 to 50 years are prone to fibroids. It has been noticed that tumors are found when estrogen level is very high, especially during menses and pregnancy.

There are mainly four types of uterine fibroid tumors, that are classified according to their location in the uterus. They are subserosal fibroid (outside the wall of the uterus), intramural fibroid (on the wall of the uterus), submucosal fibroid (under the inner lining of the uterus wall) and pedunculated fibroid (on a stalk, outside the wall of the uterine). The size and position of these fibroids determine the severity of its symptoms.

Symptoms

• One of the most common sign of uterine fibroid tumor is heavy blood loss during menstrual period. Sometimes, periods extend beyond the standard time of 4-5 days. This is usually considered as a symptom of intramural and submucosal fibroid. One may also undergo pain during menstruation.
• Another symptom is abnormal uterine bleeding, where you may discover clots or other irregular patterns during periods. Occurrence of bleeding more than once in a month is another sign of fibroids.
• Excessive and abnormal uterine bleeding may lead to anemia, due to decrease in red blood cells.
• Growth of fibroids may affect the neighboring organs like pelvis. The pelvic pain is equivalent to that experienced during childbirth and is a symptom of pedunculated fibroid tumor.
• Fibroids can strain the nerves that lead to the bladder and bowel, and cause frequent urination and constipation. The pressure of these fibroids can also stimulate pain in the legs.
• Presence of large tumors in the abdomen can make a woman look 5-6 months pregnant, and may also lead to kidney failure.
• Another sign is discomfort during sexual intercourse or massive blood loss after it.
• Infertility is also an important symptom of fibroid tumor. Women who are unable to conceive or have undergone frequent and sudden miscarriages have been diagnosed with fibroids. Pregnant women with these tumors are reported to have experienced early labor pains.

A woman who has fibroid tumor need not necessarily have these symptoms. Usually, they are detected during examination of the pelvic area. These signs can be caused by some other ailment too.

Treatment for fibroid tumor varies from person to person. It is important to consult a physician, if you notice these symptoms. Hysterectomy and myomectomy are two of the oldest treatments of uterine fibroid tumor, however minor tumors can also be cured through various other methods like diet control, medications, etc.

Every woman should realize the adverse effects of these uterine tumors. It is crucial to protect one's reproductive organ from these tumors to avoid infertility and ailments related to other organs of the body.