Overview
Fibroids, also known as uterine fibroids, are non-cancerous growths that develop in or around the uterus. They are made up of smooth muscle cells and fibrous connective tissue and can vary in size from tiny, seed-like growths to large, bulky masses.
Fibroids can be located within the wall of the uterus, protrude into the cavity of the uterus, or grow on the outer surface of the uterus.
Degenerating fibroids refer to a condition in which fibroids begin to break down or degenerate. This occurs when the fibroid outgrows its blood supply, causing the tissue to die and become necrotic.
What causes uterine fibroid degeneration during pregnancy?
It causes enormous pain in women when there is a degenerating fibroid during pregnancy.
However, some women may have severe abdominal discomfort and fibroid degeneration pain during pregnancy. The most prevalent consequence of a degenerating fibroid during pregnancy is caused by red degeneration, torsion, or impaction of a pedunculated tumor.
Uterine fibroid degeneration can occur during pregnancy due to several reasons, which can include:
Overall, uterine fibroid degeneration during pregnancy is not uncommon and does not cause harm to the fetus. But, it can cause pain and discomfort for the pregnant woman and may need medical attention. Likewise in the 18 to 22 weeks the doctor also advice an anomaly scan to ensure and assess the pregnancy thoroughly and determine the presence of any rare conditions.
What happens when there is a degenerating fibroid during pregnancy?
Women of reproductive age frequently encounter uterine fibroid. While 33% of fibroids may develop during the first trimester. The majority of them do not alter in size while a woman is pregnant. Past studies indicate that uterine fibroids are linked to an increased rate of spontaneous miscarriage, preterm labor, placenta abruption, and postpartum hemorrhage.
It is seen that most of the women with uterine fibroid had uneventful pregnancies. It is observed that 10%-30% of pregnant women with uterine fibroid experience difficulties and complications while giving birth.
In a study involving more than 4,500 women, researchers discovered that 59% of women with fibroid experienced mild discomfort, while 11% also experienced bleeding. But, 30% of women had both bleeding and pain during their first trimester.
Can degenerate fibroid cause miscarriage?
The rate of miscarriage among women with uterine fibroid increased by double from 7.6% to 14%. It is evident from past records that degenerating fibroid during pregnancy aggravates the risk of preterm labor and delivery compared to those without fibroid.
Scared whether it could harm the baby? Don’t worry, read ahead to learn what can be done further to avoid it!
Can a degenerating fibroid during pregnancy affect the baby?
Although fibroid is common in women, in extreme situations they might impact fertility or pregnancy. The majority of the time, fibroids are too little to cause obvious issues for a woman to see. Thus, she is unaware that she has them. Larger fibroids, however, may impact the delivery or conception process.
There are no cases reported in the past, or records from the past study that show direct impact of fibroid on the baby. But, it can cause pain and discomfort for the mother. In rare cases, it can lead to complications that may need medical attention. Some of the possible complications associated with degenerating fibroid during pregnancy include:
Though these complications are rare, it's important for a woman with fibroid to get in regular touch with her gynecologist and receive prenatal care.
Do fibroids shrink after degeneration?
Timely treatment might help in stopping the degenerating fibroid from growing further.
Uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) is a minimally invasive treatment for curing degenerating fibroids during pregnancy. The specialist fibroid doctor will use a small catheter to administer embolic chemicals, which stop blood flow into the fibroid artery. This therapy is proven to be effective in causing the degenerative fibroid to shrink and eventually die.
Do degenerating fibroids need to be removed?
The propensity for degeneration is greater in fibroids on a stalk. When this happens, the pain not only increases but also lasts longer than it would with a typical degeneration. Hence, to remove the fibroid and treat the symptoms in extreme situations, surgery may be necessary.
If you need any further details,
References:
https://www.webmd.com/women/uterine-fibroids/default.htm
https://www.usafibroidcenters.com/uterine-fibroids
