Uterine fibroids can cause various symptoms, which vary according to their size, quantity and location in the uterus.
Abdominal cramps and bleeding outside the menstrual period are the most common, however, in many cases, myoma has no symptoms, and the woman may not even know she has it.
Because it is a benign tumor, myoma usually does not pose hazards to a woman's health, and her symptoms can be controlled through treatment with medicines or surgery.
Main symptoms of myoma
The main symptoms presented by women with fibroids are:
- Increase in blood flow and length of menstrual period;
- Bleeding outside the menstrual period;
- Abdominal pain and cramps in the uterus;
- Feeling of pressure in the belly;
- Increased urge to urinate;
- Constipation;
- Difficulty getting pregnant.
Symptoms of fibroid in pregnant women are the same, but may become stronger during this time, and care, such as rest, should be taken not to endanger the health of the baby.
These symptoms may also vary according to the types of myoma, which are:
- Subserosal, which stay on the outside of the uterus, so they can grow more and push the surrounding organs, causing urination, diarrhea or constipation. When they hang out of the uterus, they are called pedicled fibroids.
- Intramural, which are located inside the wall that forms the uterus, and in this way, can cause more abdominal pain, cramps and pain during intimate contact;
- Submucous, which are in the inner part of the uterus, and cause more bleeding and difficulty to get pregnant.
In addition, if the woman has many fibroids or if it is large, the symptoms may be more intense.
Learn more about the types of uterine fibroid.
Exams to confirm myoma
The diagnosis of uterine fibroid is made by the gynecologist, who will observe the region of the vagina and palpate the abdomen to feel the contour of the uterus and request the ultrasound of the abdomen or transvaginal.
Some cases may be more difficult to confirm, and imaging tests such as hysteroscopy, hysterosonography, and hysterosalpingography, which evaluate the cavity of the uterus, may be needed.
See more details on what is and causes of myoma.
How is the treatment done?
Treatment is done on a woman who has symptoms, and hormone medicines, such as the birth control pill, can be used to reduce the size of myoma and its symptoms. For removal of myoma, surgery may be done. In addition, anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen, can be used to relieve symptoms that bother women, such as cramps.
Learn more about fibroid treatment.
