Exploring Intramural Fibroids: Causes and Treatment
Intramural Fibroids is a condition where noncancerous growth develops in the muscular area of the uterus. The size of this growth could vary and symptoms of uterine fibroids include heavy bleeding during periods and lower abdominal pain. However, these symptoms are not the same for everyone, some women do not even face a single symptom. Modern medical science offers numerous treatment options for intramural fibroids including the management of symptoms to surgical intervention. Treatment selection depends upon the size of growth and its impact on health. There are multiple factors that can cause intramural fibroids such as hormonal imbalance, genetic reasons, individual reproductive health and lifestyle.
To understand this issue, today we will discuss the causes of uterine fibroids and treatment options in detail. So be intact with us.
Causes of Intramural fibroids
The exact cause behind this growth is unknown yet there are multiple factors that contribute to noncancerous growth. The list of such factors includes genes, lifestyle, reproductive health and hormone change.
Genes or Genetic factors
Various studies have shown that genes play a major role in uterine fibroids. If a woman’s mother or grandmother had this issue then there are high chance that the woman may also develop this growth in future. Cells of fibroids have some changes that differ from the uterine muscle cells.
Hormone Changes
Another factor that can cause the uterine fibroid is hormones. The two hormones that control the menstrual cycle, progesterone and estrogen, are important in the development of fibroids. Intramural fibroids may form due to an imbalance in these hormones.
In order to prepare for pregnancy, they induce the uterine tissue line to thicken throughout each menstrual cycle. Fibroid growth seems to be aided by these hormones too. Compared to normal uterine muscle cells, fibroids include a greater number of cells that bind to estrogen and progesterone. Hormone levels decline following menopause, which causes fibroids to shrink but women with fibroids have high levels of these hormones.
Reproductive Condition
Usually, women who conceive at a later age and who give birth to their first child later in life may be more susceptible to intramural fibroids.
Diet and Lifestyle
Obesity, a diet heavy in red meat and poor in fruits and vegetables, and inactivity might raise the risk.
Other Factors
Fibroid growth can also be caused by substances like insulin-like growth factors that support tissue maintenance in the body.
Treatment of Intramural Fibroids
Treatment selection is determined by the size of the growth and how it is impacting the health of women who are suffering from uterine fibroid or intramural fibroid. The option could range from management to surgical procedures. Let’s discuss them in detail
Prior to opting for an option, healthcare professionals observe the growth and its size. If the patient develops severe symptoms then the doctor suggests treatment options:
Medication or Management
Under this option, doctors prescribe birth control pills and hormone-releasing intrauterine for hormonal treatment that can reduce symptoms like heavy bleeding and pelvic pain.
Uterine Artery Embolisation
This is a cutting-edge, minimally invasive technique that protects the uterus. A tiny tube known as a catheter is inserted from the groin area by an interventional radiologist using imaging guidance to perform uterine angiography and confirm the presence of a fibroid. Once the fibroid’s blood supply is confirmed, the uterus will remain intact while the fibroid’s blood supply is cut off by injecting embolic agents. Fibroid shrinkage occurs over time, and you will no longer have symptoms. The best thing about this therapy is that you may resume your activity from the very next day.
This procedure is used in treating fibroid symptoms like heavy bleeding, pelvic pressure, constipation and frequent urination.
MRI-guided HIFU:
This therapy delivers precise high-intensity ultrasonic beam energy to the target fibroid under MRI Guidance, causing thermal damage that causes the fibroid to shrink.
Limitation of MR GUIDED HIFU
- The cost of treatment may pose financial challenges for some individuals.
- The available centre performs this high-intensity treatment in limited numbers.
Microwave Ablation: Although widely used for many years to treat liver tumours, this technology was just recently introduced to treat uterine fibroids globally. Electromagnetic waves from an antenna positioned within the target region under image guidance disturb water molecules and cause thermal energy to be released into the tissue, which kills cells.
Surgery
Surgical alternatives such as myomectomy (removal of the fibroids) or hysterectomy (removal of the uterus) may be considered if the fibroids causing serious symptoms, or if existing treatments are not working.
- Myomectomy: It removes the fibroid but not the uterus. This is opted by the women who want to conceive in the future.
- Hysterectomy: Under this option, doctors remove the entire uterus in order to eliminate the fibroid. This option is suitable for those women who do not want to conceive in future.
When to see a doctor
If you observe that your symptoms are getting worse and impacting your health then it is advisable to consult an expert doctor soon. It would prevent any severe injury and health concerns in future.
Conclusion
Genes, hormones, changes in lifestyle and reproductive conditions, and other multiple factors cause intramural fibroids. With the rapid lifestyle changes, this medical condition has become more frequent. With treatment like uterine artery embolisation, painful surgery options can be avoided.
Along with the right treatment, expert guidance and supervision are also required which you will get at FlowCare clinic located in Jaipur. At Flowcare, you can get the services of Rajasthan’s most experienced interventional radiology Dr Rajendra Bansal and his dedicated team. You can also consult him at Narayana Multispeciality Hospital.
