Intramural Uterine Fibroids are non-cancerous growths within the muscular wall of the uterus. Fibroids of the uterus are basically differentiated into three categories namely, Subserosal Fibroids, Intramural Fibroids and Submucosal Fibroids. Intramural fibroids are the most common type of uterine fibroids amongst them all and can affect a patient in multiple ways from contributing to infertility to causing heavy menstrual bleeding.
It’s important to analyze the causes and the symptoms of intramural fibroids to take informed and effective decisions regarding treatment options. This article provides key insights on various symptoms and causes of intramural fibroid growth and also lays out treatment choices for the same.
What are Intramural Uterine Fibroids?
Intramural Fibroid growth is basically growth of muscle cells on the muscular wall of the uterus. They are usually diagnosed during a pelvic examination and often occur in women between the age of thirty to forty. The exact cause of intramural fibroids is unknown, however there are multiple factors that can play a role in Uterine Fibroid growth including genetics, hormonal imbalance, Vitamin D deficiency etc.
What Causes Intramural Fibroids?
Fibroids in general can develop due to various factors. Fibroids can negatively affect a woman’s life in various ways including contributing to infertility and causing a significant impact on daily life. Depending on the size of the fibroids, symptoms may include pelvic pain, lower back pain, pain during sex etc. Fibroids can also increase the pressure exerted on the bladder and can cause frequent urination. But before diving into the symptoms of intramural fibroids, here are a few possible fibroid causes:
Hormonal Imbalance
Hormonal Imbalance can be a major factor in development of intramural fibroid of the uterus. Fibroids can be extremely sensitive towards hormones such as Estrogen and Progesterone. Estrogen is the primary sex hormone in women responsible for the development and regulation of the reproductive system.
Progesterone is also known as the Pregnancy Hormone and is responsible in helping a woman conceive. An imbalance in these hormones can cause the growth of intramural fibroids. While excess estrogen production promotes the growth of fibroids, lesser levels of progesterone make it difficult for the body to counter the development of intramural fibroids.
Genetics
In some cases, Intramural fibroids can also develop due to your genes. A genetic disorder is developing an illness or a health condition because of one or more abnormalities in the genome. Although the risk of inheriting uterine fibroid is only fifty percent, maintaining a healthy lifestyle can further reduce the risk of intramural fibroid development.
Obesity
Obesity can cause various health issues and development of intramural fibroids is one of them. Being overweight can again tamper hormonal balance in the body which contribute to the fibroids. Being obese can increase estrogen levels in the body and can change hormone metabolism which can cause fibroids and related health issues.
Vitamin D
A deficiency in Vitamin D can increase the risk of intramural fibroid development in women. Vitamin D is crucial in facilitating a healthy immune system, reducing the risk of diabetes, promoting bone health etc. The most obvious source of Vitamin D is sunlight, however certain foods such as egg yolk, salmon, milk, orange juice also contain sufficient amounts of vitamin d.
Alcohol
Excessive alcohol consumption is quite risky and can lead to serious health issues including heart and liver diseases. Abuse of alcohol can alter hormonal levels, cytokines and growth factors leading to increased chances of intramural fibroid development.
Types of Uterine Fibroids
Uterine Fibroids are classified into primarily into three categories namely Subserosal Fibroids, Intramural Fibroids and Submucosal Fibroids. The growth of fibroids in itself occurs in three major areas, within the muscular wall of the uterus, fibroids that grow into the uterine cavity and fibroids that grow outside of the uterus.
Subserosal Fibroids
Subserosal Fibroids are fibroids that grow on the outside of the uterus and are mostly non-cancerous in nature. However, they can cause uncomfortable symptoms and act as a hinderance in daily life. Subserosal fibroids can also affect nearby organs causing carious other critical complications that may be hard to treat.
Intramural Fibroids
Intramural Fibroids are the fibroids that grow on the muscular wall of the uterus. Intramural Fibroids is considered the most common type of fibroid growth in women. Depending on the size of the fibroid growth and its severity, Intramural Fibroids can be treated using traditional surgical treatment options such as Hysterectomy or even advanced medical procedures such as Uterine Fibroid Embolization which is a minimally invasive Interventional Radiology technique.
Submucosal Fibroids
Submucosal Fibroids grow into your uterine cavity and is considered the most problematic fibroids of them all. These fibroids can cause heavy and excessive menstrual bleeding and can also block and distort fallopian tubes thereby affecting fertility. Submucosal Fibroids is also known to be the rarest type of fibroid growth.
What are the symptoms of Intramural Fibroids?
Menstrual Bleeding
Menstrual bleeding that is excessive is one of the most common signs of intramural fibroid that you should be on the lookout for. Women who have intramural fibroids may also experience a lengthening of their periods, in addition to the passage of blood clots. Fibroids in general have the potential to cause anemia because of the significant increase in blood loss that occurs throughout the menstrual cycle.
Menstrual Periods Lasting More Than a Week
Intramural fibroids can cause menstrual cycle to last longer than its typical duration. Ultimately, this can lead to a significant amount of blood loss from the body, along with discomfort and physical pain. Menstrual periods lasting more than a week can also affect daily life in significant ways. From affecting personal and professional lives periods lasting more than a week can be a significant symptom of fibroids.
Pelvic Pressure or Abdominal Pain
The growth of uterine fibroid can, in fact, have a greater influence on the abdominal and pelvic region, resulting in a sensation of fullness and pressure and causing pelvic pain. In addition, this may cause difficulties in carrying out day-to-day activities and may also have an impact on an individual’s social life as well.
Frequent Urination
Fibroids of the uterus exert a constant pressure on the urinary bladder, which results in a constant need to urinate. Once again, this can have an impact on a person’s sleep cycle as well as their productivity at work, in addition to producing a significant amount of anxiety, fear, and uncertainty.
Difficulty emptying the bladder
Intramural Fibroids can play a significant role in causing Urinary Tract Infection. Since the fibroids apply pressure on the bladder it is possible to not be able to pass urine completely which might result in a UTI (Urinary Tract Infection).
Painful Intercourse
Fibroids can affect your sexual life as well. The growth of fibroids of the uterus may lead to painful sexual intercourse which may in turn affect your sexual life. Especially when fibroids grow into the uterine wall it causes even more discomfort and increases lower back pain too.
Treatment options for Fibroids of the Uterus
Hysterectomy
Hysterectomy is a surgical procedure to treat the fibroids and involves removing the uterus completely. Since the uterus is removed there is no chance of fibroids reoccurring and this treatment option is considered a permanent solution to fibroids. But the main disadvantage is that since the uterus is removed, the patient loses their ability to conceive or carry a baby and moreover Hysterectomy is a completely invasive procedure and may include severe risks and other complications such as blood loss or even injury.
Uterine Fibroid Embolization
Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE) is a non-surgical Interventional Radiology technique to remove the fibroids from your uterus, Uterine Fibroid Embolization is minimally invasive technique that is used to shrink fibroids by blocking their blood supply.
Also known as Uterine Artery Embolization, the procedure is usually performed by an interventional radiologist. This technique involves making a small incision in the groin area of the patient. Catheter (a thin tube) which carries micro particles is guided to through the arterial system to uterine arteries which supply blood to the fibroids.
These particles are transported through the catheter to enter the blood vessels that supply the fibroids and obstruct them thereby preventing the fibroids from receiving blood supply. This technique is completely non-surgical as it only embolizes the blood supply to shrink the fibroids.
Advantages of Uterine Fibroid Embolization
Minimally invasive
In contrast to more conventional surgical procedures, such as myomectomy and hysterectomy, UFE is a procedure that is considered to be minimally invasive. Due to the fact that it does not require major incisions, the risk of complications that are linked with it are significantly lesser.
Quick Recovery
There is a significant reduction in the amount of time required for recovery while choosing UFE. Because of this quicker recovery, women are able to resume their daily routines, job, and personal duties much sooner.
Preservation of Uterus
This can be a deal breaker in terms of other traditional surgical methods used to treat fibroids which is particularly important for women who wish to retain their fertility or avoid the psychological impact of losing their uterus.
Fewer Side Effects
UFE, being less invasive, has a lower risk of these severe complications. Additionally, the reduced impact to the body means a lower chance of developing postoperative adhesions and other complications that can affect health on the longer run.
Conclusion
Fibroids are broadly classified into three categories namely Subserosal Fibroids, Intramural Fibroids and Submucosal Fibroids. Intramural Fibroids are the most common type of them all and can impact a patient’s life in various ways. Treatment options for Uterine Fibroids involve completely invasive surgical options such as Hysterectomy, however with advancements in medicine and technology combined have paved way to advanced non-surgical treatment options such as UFE. If you have symptoms of Uterine Fibroids, consult your doctor for treatment options. With various surgical and non-surgical procedures available Fibroids can be tackled with ease.