Menstrual Disorder Flashcards
Name the menstrual disorder you have studied?
Fibroids
What are fibroids?
Fibroids are benign tumours of the uterus
Fibroids are benign tumours on the uterus, explain what this means.
This means they result from the overproduction of cells but they do not invade other tissues and do not spread
Do fibroids grow fast or slow?
They grow slowly
What is the range of sizes in fibroids?
They range from the size of a pea to the size of a large grapefruit
Fibroids are most common in what age group?
Between the ages of 35 and 45
What are the symptoms of small fibroids?
Small fibroids often produce no symptoms
What are the symptoms of large fibroids?
They cause heavy and prolonged menstrual bleeding which in turn leads to anaemia
What can fibroids cause?
3
Pain
Miscarriage
Infertility
What is the cause of fibroids?
2
The cause is uncertain
They may be an abnormal response to oestrogen for this reason they tend to be larger in women taking the contraceptive pill
How can small fibroids be treated?
No treatment is required for small fibroids apart from frequent examinations to check on their growth
How can large fibroids be treated?
By surgery
How can large numbers of fibroids be treated?
The removal of the entire uterus (hysterectomy)
What is the removal of the entire uterus called?
A hysterectomy
What is a hysterectomy?
The removal of the entire uterus
