Uterine Fibroids

Uterine fibroids are the largest single cause of hysterectomy. They may lurk undiscovered for years and (almost) always are benign.

A fibroid is a muscle tumor, in this case, the tumor of muscles in the uterus. Another name for them is myoma, which is short for the more technical name -- leiomyoma. Women can endure an entire pregnancy or two with uterine fibroids present, but there are cases in which they produce heavy menstrual bleeding, pain and various others types of discomfort.

The Position Of Fibroids

Fibroids occupy one of the following positions:

Intracavitary myomas -- inside the uterine cavity. Will usually produce metrorrhagia (bleeding between periods) and/or severe cramping. This type of myomas can be successfuly eliminated by a procedure called hysteroscopic resection, through the cervix and with no incision.

Submucous myomas -- one part in the cavity and the rest in the wall of the uterus. Usually produces menorrhagia (heavy menstrual bleeding) as well as bleeding between periods. For some of these myomas, hysteroscopic resection may be a method of choice.

Intramural myomas -- in the wall of the uterus. Can be very small up to large as a grapefruit. There are several fibroid treatments for this group, but -- best of all -- this type of fibroids may not call for a surgery at all.

Subserous myomas -- on the outer wall of the uterus. Can be destroyed by laparoscopy.

Pedunculated myoma -- an outside myoma on the stalk. Best eliminated by laparoscopy.

A Video of 18 Large Uterine Fibroids Taken Out of the Uterus

In classical medicine, the only efficient treatment for uterine fibroids is surgery. Iit can have disastrous consequences, the gravest of which is the case of hysterectomy, in which the problem is literally cut away. There is a number of alternatives to hysterectomy, and there is a number fibroid treatments, as well.

You can also have a look at the hysterectomy videos page, to see a number of minimally invasive techniques such as the laparoscopic myomectomy videos page etc.

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