Ovarian fibroids refer to a sort of abnormal growth which is also known as a tumor which grows in the ovary of a woman. The growth is solid and typically differs from the fluid based ovarian cysts, being made of smooth muscle tissues which are attached with fibrous tissues. Usually, the fibroids are not formed on the ovaries, but on the uterus.

But they may be found rarely on the ovaries. On appearing on the ovary, the fibroids are generally benign or they do not comprise cancerous cells. Although there are various kinds of tumors, fibroids of the ovary are commonly found in women who have it in their pelvic areas.

Characteristics of ovarian fibroids

Ovarian FibroidsHowever, it hardly means that women will always develop ovarian fibroids on their ovaries. Women can also grow other kinds of cysts and tumors.

Fibroids generally develop from the age of 35 to 45 among women. It should be of interest that a fibroid growth of any kind is put to a halt by the onset of menopause.

At times they stop altogether. The fibroid of an ovary is small, such as smaller than any sunflower seed. They may unfortunately grow larger than a regular baseball. However, it is unlikely for a woman to grow a fibroid of such a size on her ovary.

Fibroids usually affect the uterus. In case a fibroid is developed, doctors will initially confirm that the tumor is benign before settling on the course of treatment. Diagnostic imaging tests and ultrasounds are often used by doctors to confirm the benignity of a tumor. If the tumor is suspected to be a cancerous one, a biopsy is typically formed. This means a sample tissue is removed from the mass of the tumor or a part of it to examine for cancerous growths.

In most of the cases it may not be necessary to treat ovarian fibroids. Doctors can recommend treatment, usually through a surgical removal in case the patient experiences pain or goes through uncomfortable symptoms. It is often a case that women will not experience any symptoms at all. If the symptoms exist within the fibroid, they include abdominal pain, bloating and cramping. Excess of bleeding is another characteristic, although it is a feature in case the uterus is involved.

Requirement of surgery

Even when fibroids are dissipated with the progress of age, at times, more than monitoring is required involving additional treatment. The need of management is often influenced by the frequency of symptoms such as an enlarged lower abdomen, painful menses or heavy bleeding, fullness in your pelvic area, enlarged lower abdomen, painful sex, frequent urination, pain in the lower back, complicated labor or pregnancy, chances of a C section, and reproductive problems like infertility. However, cases of infertility as a result of the formation of fibroid are rare.

The prognosis depends on the type of treatment women choose. Usually, ovarian fibroids do not lead to problems for a number of women and these growths disappear gradually. They do not prevent women from enjoying a satisfactory life and if they do, the success of treatment depends on the method of cure which is chosen.