Hesperian Health Guides
Problems of the Womb
Contents
Common growths of the womb
Fibroid tumors
Fibroids are growths of the womb. They can cause abnormal bleeding from the vagina, pain in the lower belly, and repeated miscarriage (losing a pregnancy). They are almost never cancer.
Signs:
- menstrual periods with heavy bleeding or bleeding at unusual times of the month
- pain or a heavy feeling in the lower belly
- deep pain during sex
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| An ultrasound test. |
Finding and treating fibroids
Fibroids are usually found during a pelvic exam. The womb will feel too large or be the wrong shape. A machine called an ultrasound, if it is available, can show how large the fibroids are.
If fibroids cause problems, they can be removed with surgery. Sometimes the whole womb is removed. But most of the time, surgery is not necessary because fibroids usually become smaller after menopause and stop causing problems. If fibroids are causing heavy menstrual bleeding, anemia may develop. Try to eat foods rich in iron.
Polyps
Polyps are dark red growths found inside the womb or at the cervix. They are rarely cancer.
Signs:
- bleeding after sex
- menstrual periods with heavy bleeding or bleeding at unusual times of the month
Finding and treating polyps
Polyps at the cervix can be seen and removed easily and painlessly during a pelvic exam by someone who has been trained. Polyps inside the womb may be removed if they are the likely cause of heavy bleeding. The growth is sent to a laboratory to make sure there is no cancer. Once polyps are removed, they usually do not grow back.
Cancer of the womb
(Endometrial cancer, cancer of the uterus)
of the
womb
Cancer of the womb usually starts in the lining inside the womb (the endometrium). If it is not treated, it can spread to the womb itself and to other parts of the body.
Cancer of the womb is more likely after menopause. Someone with womb cancer is more likely to have had illnesses, medical treatments, or a heavier body weight that affected their hormone levels. But usually there is no way to know what caused the cancer.
Signs:
- heavy menstrual bleeding
- irregular periods or bleeding at unusual times of the month
- bleeding after menopause.
Finding and treating cancer of the womb
To find out if someone has cancer of the womb, a trained health worker will take a sample (biopsy), often using a procedure called dilation and curettage (D&C). The sample of tissue will be sent to a laboratory to be checked for cancer. If cancer is found, it must be treated as soon as possible with an operation to remove the womb (hysterectomy). Radiation therapy may also be used.
In a hysterectomy, sometimes only the womb is removed and sometimes the tubes and ovaries are also removed. Since your ovaries make hormones that help protect you against heart disease and weak bones, it is always better to leave them in, if possible. Talk to a doctor about this.
If cancer of the womb is found early, it can be cured. If it is more advanced, curing it is more difficult.