Q. What are fibroids in uterus and how can they be cured?

Answer: Fibroids are pale, firm, fibrous masses that sometimes form in or on the walls of the uterus. They appear to result from abnormal cell development. These tumors are almost always benign. They can range in size from a tiny speck to large masses that can distort the uterus and nearby organs.

Uterine fibroids usually appear during the reproductive years and tend to grow slowly over time. The three most common types of fibroids are: subserosal (which grow in the outer wall of the uterus), intramural (which develop in the muscular layers of the uterine wall) and submucosal (which protrude into the uterine cavity).

It is believed that fibroids are caused by estrogen dominance. Irregular cycles, annovulatory cycles are both indicators. However, actual diagnosis can only be done by using ultrasound or laproscopy.

Some women have fibroids and don't even know they have them. If they are not causing any problems, the doctors usually don't do anything about them. But there are several ways to get rid of fibroids if they are causing a problem.

The usual way to treat fibroids is to prescribe birth-control pill hormones which will suppress their growth. But this will seriously affect menstrual cycles, fertility, etc.

If the fibroids are causing really serious problems they can be removed surgically.

There are also alternative medicine solutions that are effective in shrinking and controlling fibroids.