Uterine Fibroids

Uterine leiomyoma also known as uterine fibroids are non-cancerous tumors in women during childbearing age. The tumors come from smooth muscle cells of the myometrium within the uterus that changes in size and cellular properties during the reproductive years of a woman. The change in size and cellular property with hypertrophy of the smooth muscle cells normally happen during pregnancy and also occur with uterine fibroids. The development of the tumors is dependent upon estrogen and progesterone and interaction with growth factors, cytokines and extracellular matrix components (Taylor, Holthouser,

Fibroids are becoming more and more common in women in the United States. It is estimated that 171 million women in the U.S. were affected by this condition in 2013(6). About 20% to 80% of women develop fibroids by age 50 (6). As many as three out of four women may have uterine fibroids in her lifetime (4). Fibroids, also known as uterine leiomyoma, are benign tumors that can be found in women of childbearing age due to its dependence on estrogen and progesterone (7). They are made of muscle cells and other tissues that can grow around or in the uterus or womb. With fibroids, a single cell divides repeatedly, eventually creating a firm, rubbery mass distinct from nearby tissue (2). Some fibroids even go through growth spurts where they grow and shrink on their by itself. There are women with fibroids who have no symptoms at all. If they do, it may consist of heavy or painful periods, frequent

Endometriosis is an often painful disorder in which tissue that normally lines the inside of your uterus, the endometrium, grows outside your uterus. Endometriosis most commonly involves your ovaries, bowel or the tissue lining your pelvis. Rarely, endometrial tissue may spread beyond your pelvic region (Staff, 2010). They can also be found in the vagina, cervix, and bladder, although less commonly than other locations in the pelvis. Rarely, endometriosis implants can occur outside the pelvis, on the liver, in old surgery scars, and even in or around the lung or brain. Endometrial implants, while they can cause problems, are benign (Stoppler, 2011). In endometriosis, displaced endometrial tissue continues to act as it normally would: It

KUB/ Pelvis x-rays, excretory urography, ultrasound, MRI or CT can be used to help identify if the patient does have a fibroid.

Uterine fibroids are very common, causing symptoms in about 25 percent of women. Fibroids are benign, or noncancerous, tumors that grow in the walls of the uterus. It's not understood why fibroids develop, but scientists and doctors believe that genetics may play a role.

Uterine fibroids affect 3 out of 4 women (Mayo Clinic, 2014). They are non-cancerous but they can cause pain and discomfort. This paper will discuss who can be effected by Uterine fibroids and its effects on the female reproductive system. This paper will show the three types of fibroids that develop in or near the uterus. It will discuss the symptoms and when a diagnosis is needed. This paper will also look into the various forms of treatment including medications and surgery.

Endometriosis ensues when tissue flourishes outside of the uterus such as on the ovaries, in the intestines or other internal organs (Medicine.net, 2016). This abnormal growth increases when a woman’s hormone levels fluctuate during her menstrual cycle. According to Medicine.net (2016), during this hormone fluctuation, the tissue grows then disintegrates. Consequently, a woman may experience abdominal pain and scar tissue may result. Moreover, this is enhanced if the woman’s family has a history of the endometriosis. Endometriosis may be hereditary. Thus, a complete medical history must be obtained to rule out the occurrence of endometriosis if a female patient experiences abdominal pain (American Pregnancy.org,

Uterine fibroids which are solid non cancerous tumors found within or on the walls of the uterus may be able to impact pregnancy. If you have fibroids and are trying to get pregnant, the following information on uterine fibroids and pregnancy may be of great help to you.

Until now, the etiology and pathogenesis of endometriosis is not known with certainty. Endometriosis is found in about 3-10 percent of the female population of reproductive age. The incidence of endometriosis in women with dysmenorrheal is 60-80 percent, 30-50 percent of women

Endometriosis is one of the many invisible illnesses without a cure in our modern age. Endometriosis is when the

Endometriosis affects 10% of reproductive-age women (Yale School of Medicine). It affects nearly 176 million women, ranging from 15-49, all over the world (World Endometriosis, 2011). “Endometriosis is an often painful disorder in which tissue that normally lines the inside of your uterus — the endometrium — grows outside your uterus (endometrial implant) (Mayo Clinic, 2013)” It most commonly involves your ovaries and the lining of the pelvis, but in extreme cases can spread to other parts of the body. The displaced tissue continues to act like it normally would in the uterus, thickening and breaking down with each menstrual cycle. Since the displaced tissue has nowhere to go, it becomes trapped with no way to get out (Mayo Clinic, 2013).

Endometriosis occurs when the endometrial tissue, normally located inside the uterus, lines the outside. The condition most commonly affects the ovaries and peritoneum, and affects approximately 10% of women in the United States (Barnhart et. el. 2002). The misplaced endometrial tissue continues to act as it would in the usual situation; the tissue thickens, breaks down, and bleeds with the menstrual cycle. Since there is no exit path for the tissue to leave the body, the tissue becomes trapped inside the abdomen, causing severe pain (Mayo Clinic, 2013).

Most women suffer from pelvic pain, also known as dysmenorrhea, during their menstruation cycle. There are degrees of this pain and degrees to which patient can bear it. Women must be aware that there is more than one cause for this pain. Endometriosis causes patients to suffer from severe pelvic pain that gets worse during their menstruation cycle. It is a chronic disorder that affects the reproductive organs of the female body. Endometriosis is one of the most common health issues experienced among women and one of the leading causes of infertility.more than 1 million women suffer from endometriosis, and it approximately affects one in 10 women worldwide. Endometriosis causes functioning endometrium tissues that line the uterus to be present

Fibroids are non-cancerous growths which occur in the womb. They are likely to be experienced by the majority of women before the age of 50. Initially, the presence of a fibroid or 2 can have a minimal effect on a woman's daily life. Perhaps a longer than a normal monthly period, a bit of discomfort at that time, but otherwise little or no difference in normal activity. However as the fibroids grow, and they do, the symptoms become more pronounced.

Adenomyosis is a common medical condition among women in their 40’s. The disease is often concomitant with the hormone imbalances, such as excessive rise in estrogen level. Multiple research studies have established that approximately 12% of women diagnosed with Adenomyosis also tend to develop Endometriosis.