Cases of uterine fibroids on the rise among young women: Doctors

Infertility cases are increasing at an alarming rate in the country In recent years there has been a concerning surge in infertility cases among young women with a significant number of them suffering from uterine fibroidsUterine fibroids are noncancerous growths of the uterus that often go unnoticed until they lead to reproductive health issuesAccording to recent studies and medical reports the incidence of uterine fibroids has seen an increase in young women between the ages of 18 and 35 These benign tumors can cause severe pain heavy menstrual bleeding and in many cases fertility problems Uterine fibroids can impact a womans ability to conceive and carry a pregnancy to term making it a significant concern for those desiring to start a familyEarly diagnosis and intervention are critical to preventing longterm fertility issues ldquoWe urge women to seek medical advice if they experience symptoms such as heavy menstrual bleeding pelvic pain or difficulty conceivingrdquo says Dr Kekin Gala obstetrics and gynaecology Apollo Spectra MumbaiCommon causes of infertility including PCOS ageing inadequate egg reserves and cancer among others may be recognisable to you Fibroids can in rare instances make it difficult for a woman to become pregnant or carry a child to term A doctor or fertility specialist can help you approach pregnancy safely if you have fibroids and are trying to get pregnantGala says lsquolsquoTwo out of three women are currently suffering from uterine fibroidsrdquoUterine cysts often cause heavy discharge constant pain in the abdomen and irregular periods Sometimes a uterine tumor is located in an area that causes unbearable pain in the abdomen during sexual intercourse Back pain difficulty in conceiving and miscarriage are also symptoms of uterine fibroidsAt present the incidence of uterine tumours is highest among women in the age group of 25 to 30 years Obese women have higher levels of estrogen in their bodies and therefore are more likely to develop tumors in their uterusAnother health expert Dr Kiran Coelho gynaecologist Lilavati Hospital Mumbai says ldquoEnvironmental factors may play a role as exposure to certain pollutants and chemicals can contribute to the development of fibroids at an early age Fibroids tend to block the fallopian tubes making it difficult for sperm to reach and fertilise an egg Additionally they can interfere with implantation by affecting blood flow to the uterine lining These structural abnormalities can severely hinder a womans ability to conceive naturally and increase her risk of miscarriagerdquoThe rise in infertility among young girls due to uterine fibroids is concerning Experts urge girls above 15 to consult their gynaecologist on a regular basis and know about their reproductive healthDr Madhuri Mehendale gynaecologist Zynova Shalby Hospital Mumbai adds ldquoIn some women the effect of these hormones leads to overgrowth of the uterine muscle tissue and thus causes the formation of fibroids 2 out of 10 women who come to the hospital for treatment have fibroidsrdquoThese fibroids are rarely diagnosed before puberty and are known to shrink in size after menopause Similarly they are known to increase in size during pregnancy when the estrogen and progesterone content in the body is higher Therefore if you notice the symptoms of menstruation twice a month excessive bleeding painful menstruation difficulty urinating or frequent urination do not ignore it and consult a doctor immediatelyIn addition to this it is important to note that not all fibroids need surgery Only after consulting a doctor one will know if their condition needs treatment or not