Uterine fibroids, also known as uterine fibroids, are a health problem that may affect many women. While it may sound a little scary, in this article, we'll tell you about fibroids in a simple way, including what it is, possible symptoms, how it's diagnosed, treatments, and how it can be prevented.

What are fibroids? Fibroids are a benign problem, like small pieces of flesh that grow in the uterus. They can appear in different parts of the uterus and are usually made up of uterine muscle tissue. 

some people may have no symptoms at all. However, commonly occurring symptoms include the fact that sometimes fibroids can cause menstrual periods to become heavier, longer or more painful. Or there may be difficulty urinating or frequent urination, where the tumour may put pressure on the bladder, resulting in needing to go to the bathroom more often and sometimes feeling a little difficult to urinate. Then there are bowel problems, which may cause constipation or irregular bowel movements if the tumour is affecting the bowel.

If you are afraid you have fibroids, there are programs you can do to check for them or prevent them in advance. Your doctor will usually perform the following tests to find out what is going on: first your doctor will examine your lower abdomen to look for possible lumps or abnormal uterine changes. Then you will be asked to have an ultrasound, which is one of the most common methods used to obtain images through sound waves that help the doctor determine the location, size and number of the tumor. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), as an MRI will provide more detailed images that will help your doctor understand the nature of the tumour more accurately. A hysteroscopy will also be ordered, and in some cases, the doctor may use a hysteroscopy to look inside the uterus.

The way you treat fibroids depends on the size of the tumour, the symptoms, and how much it affects your life. Here are some common treatment options: first, through medication, which can be used to relieve symptoms, such as controlling the amount of menstrual bleeding or reducing pain. Or there is surgical treatment, which removes the tumour. There are usually two options, surgery to remove the fibroids or surgery to remove the entire uterus. Finally, there are interventional treatments, such as uterine artery embolization, which can reduce the blood supply to the tumour and help reduce symptoms.

While we don't currently know how to prevent fibroids from occurring altogether, adopting some healthy lifestyle habits may help reduce the risk of developing it, starting with the fact that we need to maintain healthy body weight to help reduce the likelihood of developing fibroids. There are also regular medical checkups that can help us detect any potential problems early.

If you are concerned that you may have fibroids or have been diagnosed with fibroids, work with your doctor to develop an appropriate treatment plan and follow your doctor's recommendations for managing this health issue.

（Writer：Tommy）