HEALTH Painful sex maybe early signs of fibroid- Expert

A fertility expert, Dr . Stephen Hwande , says that pain during intercourse, increased menstrual cramping and increased urination are early signs of fibroid .
The Managing Director of First Fertility Hospital , Makurdi , Hwande , said on Tuesday in Makurdi that heavy bleeding between or during one ’ s period , that result into blood clots , may also signify fibroid .
He said , “ When menstruation last longer than usual , a woman should also watch it; fibroid may just be lurking . ”
He listed other common signs associated with fibroid to include pressure or fullness in the lower abdomen , swelling or enlargement of the abdomen and pain in the pelvis or lower back .
The expert defined fibroid as abnormal growths that develops in or on a woman’ s uterus.
“ Sometime , these tumours become quite large and cause severe abdominal pain and heavy periods , ” he said .
The expert said that in some cases, the fibroid could have no signs or symptoms , especially since its growth is typically benign ( non - cancerous).
He explained that the causes of fibroid were not yet known , but revealed that they vary and develop at different locations in and on the uterus.
According to him , intramural fibroid is the most common and usually within the lining of the uterus.
“ Intramural fibroid can grow larger and actually stretch a woman’ s womb , ” he said .
He listed other forms of fibroid to include subserosal fibroid, which forms outside the uterus, and could grow large enough to make one ’ s womb appear bigger on one side.
“ There is also the submucosal fibroid , which develop in the inner lining on the uterus.
“ The submucosal fibroid is not common , but may cause heavy menstrual bleeding and victims usually have trouble conceiving , ’’ he said .
On possible causes , Hwande maintained that they were not clear , but opined that several factors may influence the formation.
“ Hormones , estrogen and progesterone are the hormones produced by the ovaries . They cause the uterine lining to regenerate during each menstrual cycle and may stimulate the growth of fibroid .
“ Family history may also lead to it. If a mother , sister or grandmother has a history of this condition , a woman could develop it as well.
“ Pregnancy also increases the production of estrogen and progesterone in a woman’ s body ; fibroid may develop and grow rapidly while one is pregnant, ’’ Hwande added .
On treatment , he said that doctors develop treatment plan based on age , size of the fibroid , and one ’ s overall health .
“ One may also receive a combination of treatments to regulate the hormone levels and shrink the tumour , ” he said .
The fertility expert acknowledged claims that some foods could cause and prevent fibroid , but stated that they had not been scientifically and medically confirmed .
( NAN)
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