Uterine fibroid

Uterine fibroid is also known as Uterine Leiomyomata, and it is one of the many reasons for dysfunctional uterine bleeding among women in their reproductive years. It is a benign gynecologic tumour which is underdiagnosed, and is often an incidental finding.

Source: https://www.emedicinehealth.com/uterine_fibroids/article_em.htm

Leiomyomata is formed by the growth of uterine smooth muscle cells (myometrium), which is primarily caused by the stimulus of circulating estrogen. Although it is benign, this condition causes a host of symptoms that is debilitating for a woman and compromises her quality of life.

Symptoms:

The most common symptoms include abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB), heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB), pelvic pain and pressure, low back pain, genitourinary dysfunction and discomfort, constipation, dysmenorrhea & many more.

Symptoms can change over time as uterine leiomyomata grow, degenerate, calcify, and hemorrhage (bleed).

Source: https://fibroidexpert.com/blog/12-common-symptoms-of-uterine-fibroids-every-woman-should-know/

Apart from these symptoms, women face the risk of infertility & obstetric (pregnancy & labour-related) complications. The distortion of the uterus can prevent successful implantation of the fertilised embryo and its intrauterine growth. 

Who is most likely to have this?

Risk factors include,

• early menarche

• nulliparity (not having conceived or given birth to a live-born child)

• delayed attainment of menopause

• obesity

• poor diet

• sedentary lifestyle

• family history of uterine fibroids

Research has also revealed that hypertension is associated with a 5-fold increased risk of developing leiomyomata compared to those without hypertension.

DIAGNOSIS

Clinicians will diagnose based on clinical symptoms, as well as physical examination. A transvaginal ultrasonography is the most preferred diagnostic tool as it has 95-100% sensitivity in detecting uterine fibroids.

Other laboratory test like the CBC (complete blood count), prolactin levels, thyroid levels, etc. maybe investigations that needs to be carried out to rule out other causes of abnormal uterine bleeding & non-specific symptoms like fatigue & depression.

Patients with risk factors for endometrial cancer (eg, obesity, chronic anovulation) would be advised to undergo an endometrial biopsy.

TREATMENT

In siddha medicine, we prioritise the treatment of the symptoms first to increase the quality of a woman's life & ensure her menstrual cycle is not a terrible experience. Thereafter treating the potential causative factors like obesity/ improving on the existing poor diet & lifestyle will induce positive changes along with the aid of uterine strengthening medications.

Medicines like Asoka chooranam, nadukkal parpam, kumari ennai & many others have shown excellent results in treating gynecologic disorders.