baltimore City community college
Uterine Fibroids
Erica Ba

Professor Albert Yoyin Bio 111

My search topic I chose to write about is Fibroids. I choose this topic because I have a cousin who suffers from uterine fibroids. Research shows that the history of fibroids stated in the time of Hippocrates in 460-375 B.C. This lesion was known as the “uterine stone” Uterine fibroids also known as fibroid tumors, fibromyomas, myoma or leiomyoma, are non-cancerous tumors that develop in a woman’s uterus. Fibroids affect one and four women especially African American women. This Condition usually affects women over 30 years old. Doctors are not sure that cause of fibroids. Most women are more than likely to develop fibroids if they have never been pregnant and family history of fibroids. Research shows that obesity can be a risk factor. Uterine fibroids or leiomyotoma are located in the smooth muscle cells and the fibrous connective tissue that are grown in the uterine wall. Fibroids can grow from the size of 1mm to 20 mm in diameter. Fibroids are mostly diagnosed tumor of the female pelvis and are the common reason for a hysterectomy. There is a number of types of fibroids. Research shows that twenty five percent of women have fibroids large enough to cause symptoms, some women may not have symptoms at all. Most fibroids develop in women during their child bearing years and once women hit menopause fibroids stop growing and shrink due to estrogen loss. There are three types of uterine fibroids. Uterine fibroids are categorized according to their location in the uterus.
Subserosal: These fibroids are grown in the outside of the uterus. The woman’s menstrual flow is usually not affected. Heavy bleeding can occur and pain may be experienced
Intamoral fibroid: Tumors in the uterine wall enlarge. These fibroid tumors are larger and can be mistaken for weight gain or pregnancy. Heavy menstrual bleeding and longer than normal periods are experienced with this kind of tumor.
Sub mucosal: This particular tumor is the least common of the three. These fibroids grow in the uterine cavity. Heavy menstrual bleeding and long periods are also experienced in these types of tumors.
Some fibroids can be felt by a doctor during a pelvic exam. A ultrasound is the standard way for noticing uterine fibroids. Another diagnosis is a hysteroscopy. This type of procedure uses a long flexible tube called hysteroscopy, which is placed in the vagina and through the cervix to reach the uterus. A small light source and camera allows the doctor to see the cavity. A laparoscopy surgery may be done as a diagnostic procedure. This procedure involves placing a small incision near the naval so; it can view the outside of the uterus including all of the female organs.
There are several ways to treat fibroids. Surgery should only be an option if heaving bleeding and pain occur. The first option for treatment is birth control. Many women can from oral contraceptives who suffer from fibroids. Birth control will help control heavy bleeding by fifty percent during their menstrual period. Another option is drugs such as mifepristone