Dealing with Fibroids Using Medications
Sometimes You Know - Sometimes You Don't
When fibroid tumors are present they can either make themselves known or remain a non-issue. Many women of child-bearing age experience uterine fibroids - also called fibromyomas, leiomyomas or myomas - and go through their entire lives without problems. Others suffer with abdominal pain, heavy menstrual bleeding, which can go on for long periods of time, backaches, leg pain and urinary incontinence or constipation. Uterine fibroids are not associated with an increased risk of uterine cancer and thankfully, almost never develop into cancer.
What Causes Fibroids?
The actual cause of fibroids is not known; however, research and experience lead to several contributing factors for fibroids such as genetic alterations to cells which are coded for uterine muscle. The hormones estrogen and progesterone, both of which stimulate the development of the uterine lining in preparation for pregnancy, seem to promote the growth of fibroids. Fibroids contain more estrogen and estrogen receptors than normal uterine muscle cells. Also, other naturally occurring chemicals in the body such as insulin-like growth factor, may affect the growth of fibroids.
Diagnosing Fibroids
As a rule, fibroids do not cause major problems and seldom require treatment. Medical therapy and surgery can be used to shrink or remove fibroids if they become problematic or create sudden pelvic pain. They are often found incidentally as a result of a pelvic examination by the doctor who may feel irregularities in the size and shape of the uterus through the abdomen. If the doctor needs a confirmation he will likely order an ultrasound to confirm the diagnosis and to investigate the tumors. MRI or other imaging solutions may be used if the ultrasound does not provide enough information. Along with imaging tests, the doctor may request blood tests to check for iron deficiency and hormone balance. All of these things help him to determine causes of bleeding and pain.
Different Treatments
Many different treatments exist for uterine fibroids. Because most women don't even know they have them, since there are no signs or symptoms, the best course of action is to be watchful while waiting to see if anything more develops. Fibroids tend to grow slowly and do shrink after menopause when the levels of reproductive hormones drop.
Medications which help to regulate the menstrual cycles by targeting hormones can be useful in treating symptoms such as heavy bleeding and pelvic pressure. They don't eliminate the tumors, but they may cause shrinkage. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (Gn-RH) agonists trigger a new menstrual cycle by connecting with the control center in the brain, called the hypothalamus where Gn-RH is produced. The medication goes to the pituitary gland and stimulates the ovaries to produce estrogen and progesterone. Androgens, the so-called male hormones, can shrink fibroid tumors, reduce uterine size, stop menses and correct anemia. Oral contraceptives or progestins help to control menstrual bleeding but are not able to shrink fibroids. NSAIDS, which are not hormonal medications, are effective in the case of heavy vaginal bleeding which is not associated with fibroids but are ineffective against bleeding caused by fibroids.
Talk with Your Doctor
The medical professional is the best source of information in terms of designing a protocol to treat fibroids medicinally.
|
