Uterine Fibroids: symptoms, causes & treatment in Nigeria
Also known as fibroid, womb growths.
This page is general health information, not a diagnosis. Always consult a licensed clinician about your own health.
Overview
Fibroids are non-cancerous growths of the womb muscle, very common in Nigerian women — many cause no trouble at all, while others cause heavy periods, pelvic swelling or fertility difficulty. Treatment ranges from simply monitoring to medicines or surgery, depending on symptoms and family plans. A fibroid is not a death sentence and not always an operation.
Symptoms
Heavy or prolonged periods
Pelvic pressure or a swelling in the lower abdomen
Frequent urination from pressure on the bladder
Pain during periods or sex
Lower back pain
Difficulty conceiving in some women
Anaemia from heavy bleeding
Causes & risk factors
Exact cause unknown; oestrogen drives growth
More common and earlier in women of African descent
Family history
Never having been pregnant
Obesity
Treatment & self-care
Small, symptom-free fibroids often need only periodic scans. Heavy bleeding can be controlled with medicines a gynaecologist prescribes, and iron treats the resulting anaemia; surgery — removing the fibroids or the womb — is reserved for significant symptoms or fertility needs. Get a proper scan and specialist opinion before agreeing to surgery or buying "fibroid-melting" remedies, which do not work.
See a doctor urgently if
Heavy periods soaking pads hourly or passing large clots
Severe pelvic pain
A rapidly enlarging abdominal swelling
Dizziness or weakness from blood loss
Difficulty conceiving after a year of trying
Frequently asked questions
What are the first signs of Uterine Fibroids?
Early signs often include heavy or prolonged periods, pelvic pressure or a swelling in the lower abdomen, frequent urination from pressure on the bladder. Symptoms vary from person to person, so a proper assessment by a doctor is the only way to be sure.
Can Uterine Fibroids be treated?
Small, symptom-free fibroids often need only periodic scans. Heavy bleeding can be controlled with medicines a gynaecologist prescribes, and iron treats the resulting anaemia; surgery — removing the fibroids or the womb — is reserved for significant symptoms or fertility needs. Get a proper scan and specialist opinion before agreeing to surgery or buying "fibroid-melting" remedies, which do not work.
When should I see a doctor about Uterine Fibroids?
See a doctor promptly if you notice: heavy periods soaking pads hourly or passing large clots; severe pelvic pain; a rapidly enlarging abdominal swelling; dizziness or weakness from blood loss; difficulty conceiving after a year of trying.