Uterine Fibroids Specialists in Karnataka

What is Uterine Fibroids?

Uterine fibroids are benign, non-cancerous growths of muscle and fibrous tissue that develop within or on the wall of the uterus, ranging in size from tiny seedlings undetectable by the human eye to large masses that can distort the shape of the uterus. They are extremely common during a woman's reproductive years and their growth is strongly influenced by estrogen and progesterone, often shrinking after menopause as hormone levels decline. While many fibroids cause no symptoms, larger or numerous fibroids can lead to heavy menstrual bleeding, pelvic pressure, and, in some cases, fertility challenges.

Causes of Uterine Fibroids

The exact cause is not fully understood, but fibroid growth is strongly driven by the hormones estrogen and progesterone, which stimulate the growth of uterine muscle tissue. Risk factors include family history of fibroids, obesity, early onset of menstruation, and being of African descent, which is associated with a higher incidence and earlier onset. Genetic changes within individual fibroid cells that differ from surrounding normal uterine tissue also play a role in their development.

Symptoms of Uterine Fibroids

Heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding, pelvic pain or pressure, frequent urination due to pressure on the bladder, constipation from pressure on the rectum, back or leg pain, abdominal swelling or a feeling of fullness, pain during intercourse, in some cases, difficulty conceiving

Treatment & Types of Uterine Fibroids in Karnataka

Asymptomatic or small fibroids often require no treatment beyond regular monitoring. Symptomatic fibroids can be managed with hormonal medications to reduce bleeding and shrink fibroid size, or with minimally invasive procedures such as uterine artery embolization, which cuts off the fibroid's blood supply. Surgical options range from myomectomy, which removes fibroids while preserving the uterus for women wishing to maintain fertility, to hysterectomy for definitive treatment in women who have completed childbearing.

Uterine fibroids are classified by their location within the uterus: submucosal fibroids, growing into the uterine cavity and most likely to cause heavy bleeding and fertility problems; intramural fibroids, growing within the muscular uterine wall, the most common type; and subserosal fibroids, growing on the outer surface of the uterus and more likely to cause pressure symptoms on nearby organs like the bladder or rectum. Size also ranges enormously, from tiny seedlings undetectable by the human eye to large masses that can distort the shape of the uterus, which together with location determines the likely symptoms and best treatment approach.

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