 X-ray of a calcified Fibroid |
What a Fibroid Is:
Fibroids, Fibroid Tumors, uterine leiomyomata, fibromyomas, leiomyomatas and myomas are an abnormal growth of muscle and other tissue that usually develop in the uterine cavity. Studies show that upwards of 25% of women of childbearing age suffer from some kind of fibroid growth. Indications also show that approximately 80% of women will have a fibroid at some point in their lives.In many cases the woman may remain asymptomatic even though a fibroid may be present. However, in 25% of the cases the fibroid growth causes pain, discomfort and bleeding. In the more extreme cases, fibroids can be the main factor in infertility. 0.1% will develop cancer.
Risk Factors: Eating red meat, hormone levels, obesity and ethnicity. Women of African descent have been shown to have a higher incidence of fibroid growth.
There have been no conclusive studies that show the exact cause of fibroids however, if your chance of developing a fibroid is twice as likely if your mother or grandmother has had one.
Surgery options range from the removal of the fibroid itself (myomectomy) to complete removal of the uterus (hysterectomy). As my wife suffered from fibroid complications and had surgery to correct them, I can assure you that the surgery was a risky alternative. Firstly, she developed an infection as a result of the the operation and had to be re-hospitalized. The infection was so severe she could of died as an result. Adding insult to injury, her room mate at the hospital also developed complication and almost died.
If you have been diagnosed with a fibroid and your doctor has suggested surgery as a remedy, I am sure that you are feeling a little scared right now. You may feel that surgery is a last resort and you may want to weigh all your options first. If this is so, I suggest you take a look below. It may be the answer you are looking for .
