Their sizes and the problems they give rise to can vary from person to person. Fibroid formations, seen in one in every four women, can easily be noticed at a regular gynaecological examination.
In women who do not have a regular gynaecological examination, serious symptoms need to arise for the fibroid to be noticed. At this point the place, the type and the growth pattern of the fibroid determine how the symptoms will take shape.
TYPES OF FIBROID
In determining the types of fibroid, the areas in which the fibroids are located are extremely important.
SUBSEROSAL FIBROID
Fibroids that develop on the outer part of the uterus and on the wall of the uterus are called “subserosal fibroids”. These fibroids grow rapidly outwards. Because of their rapid growth, these fibroids, which create a feeling of pressure in and around the area where they are located, cause pelvic pain to arise.
INTRAMURAL FIBROID
Fibroids that grow in the middle layer of the uterus and continue their development within the wall of the uterus are called “intramural fibroids”. The growth of these fibroids can cause the menstrual cycle to lengthen and lead to bleeding and pain.
SUBMUCOSAL
Fibroids that grow beneath the inner layer of the uterus are called “submucosal fibroids”. These fibroids grow rapidly and can cause a great deal of bleeding.
If these fibroids, which are an obstacle to pregnancy and can cause IVF treatments to fail, are noticed during the planning of a pregnancy, priority must be given to removing the fibroid with a surgical procedure.
PEDUNCULATED FIBROIDS
If the fibroid grows outwards from the uterus on a stalk, it is then called a “pedunculated fibroid”. If, during its growth, the fibroid turns around the stalk it sits on, necrosis develops in the fibroid tissue because the blood flow is cut off, and this can cause severe pain. In this situation the fibroid needs to be removed with emergency surgery.
FIBROID TREATMENT
Fibroid treatment differs according to the person’s physical characteristics, the number of fibroids they have, the sizes of their fibroids, their location and their rate of growth.
The most definitive method known in fibroid treatment is the removal of the fibroids with a surgical operation. In selected patients, with different techniques such as drug treatment and blocking the vessels going to the uterus, the growth of the fibroids can be prevented and the complaints they cause the person can be avoided.
If the person wants to become pregnant or to have IVF treatment, it is recommended that the fibroids be examined in great detail and, if it is thought that they will lead to a problem in the pregnancy, that they certainly be removed. In women approaching the menopause, after treatments that will solve the problems caused by the fibroid have been applied, the fibroids can be followed up during the menopause, because it is known that in this period fibroids shrink.