Beneath the Surface: The Complications of Untreated Uterine Fibroids
Shade Academia Weekly Newsletter
Good morning, everyone! Welcome back to another week of learning and discovery. We hope you had a relaxing weekend and are ready for new insights in this edition of our newsletter. This week, we’re diving into a topic that affects many people but isn't always well understood—uterine fibroids. As we continue to personalize our content, our goal is to share more about what our staff is working on, the cases we encounter, and the valuable lessons we learn along the way.
This week, I'm sharing an interesting case involving a patient with uterine fibroids, a condition that not only affects fertility but can also cause serious health complications if untreated. The patient I was working with had developed renal problems, blood clots, and issues with blood vessel compression—all possibly linked to her fibroids. If you're curious about what uterine fibroids are, who they affect, and how they can be treated, keep reading!
What are Uterine Fibroids?
Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous growths that develop in or on the walls of the uterus. They are made of muscle and fibrous tissue, and their sizes can range from tiny, undetectable growths to large masses that can distort the uterus. Fibroids are more common than you might think, especially in people of reproductive age. Risk factors include hormonal changes (especially involving estrogen and progesterone), genetic predisposition, and diet (high consumption of red meat or alcohol may increase the risk).
Who Do They Affect?
Fibroids are particularly common in women between ages 30 and menopause and are seen more frequently in Black women than in other racial groups. Family history, early menstruation, and obesity can also increase the likelihood of developing fibroids. Some women with fibroids may not experience symptoms, while others could face heavy menstrual bleeding, pain, and pressure in the pelvic area.
Why Are They There?
The exact cause of fibroids isn’t fully understood, but factors like hormonal imbalances and genetic mutations are believed to play a role. Fibroids grow when estrogen and progesterone levels are high, such as during pregnancy, and typically shrink after menopause when hormone levels drop.
How Do We Get Rid of Them?
Treatment depends on the size and symptoms of the fibroids. Medication can shrink fibroids or control symptoms like heavy bleeding. Options include birth control, pain relievers, and iron supplements for anemia caused by excessive bleeding. If symptoms are severe, surgical interventions like a myomectomy (removal of fibroids while keeping the uterus intact) or even a hysterectomy (removal of the uterus) might be necessary. Uterine artery embolization and radiofrequency ablation are less invasive options that shrink fibroids by cutting off their blood supply.
What Problems Can They Cause if Left Untreated?
Large fibroids can cause significant complications by compressing nearby organs. For instance, they can press on the ureters (the tubes connecting the kidneys and bladder), leading to kidney problems like hydronephrosis, which is a dangerous swelling of the kidneys. Fibroids can also put pressure on blood vessels, leading to the formation of blood clots, which could travel to the lungs and cause life-threatening conditions such as a pulmonary embolism. Additionally, fibroids can cause fertility issues by distorting the uterus, making it difficult for a pregnancy to implant or grow.
Multiple-Choice Question:
Which of the following is NOT a complication that can arise from untreated uterine fibroids?
A) Kidney damage from ureter compression
B) Fertility problems due to distortion of the uterus
C) Blood clots leading to pulmonary embolism
D) Increased risk of ovarian cancer
Thank you for tuning in! Stay with us for more exciting research and accessible science in our next Shade Academia newsletter.
Sources:
Mayo Clinic. (2023). Uterine fibroids: Symptoms and causes. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/uterine-fibroids/symptoms-causes/syc-20354288
Center for Innovative GYN Care (CIGC). (2023). Fibroids lesser known risks: Kidney & circulatory damage. CIGC. https://innovativegyn.com/fibroids-lesser-known-risks-kidney-circulatory-damage
Lancaster General Health. (2023). Uterine fibroids and your fertility: What to know. Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health. https://www.lancastergeneralhealth.org/health-hub-home/2023/july/uterine-fibroids-and-your-fertility-what-to-know
Cleveland Clinic. (2023). Uterine fibroids: Causes, symptoms & treatment. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9193-uterine-fibroids
Answer: D) Increased risk of ovarian cancer