There seems to be no end to the number of conditions that have stomach pain as a symptom. That is why the question of “Is that stomach pain normal?” one that you may ask yourself. However, if you have a particular type of fibroids, stomach pain is not something that should be taken lightly. The pain could be a sign that you need to get to the doctor or even the emergency room immediately.
There are different types of fibroids and they are generally classified based on where they are located as well as how they develop. When it comes to unexplained stomach pain, any type of fibroid can burst.
Pedunculated fibroids, however, can also twist. That’s because pedunculated fibroids grow from a stalk and can be found in or outside of the uterus.
While the root cause of which fibroids you develop are not well understood yet, it has been surmised that hormones and genetics could play a role.
Again, doctors have not identified all the issues that can cause fibroids to rupture or twist. However, some of the factors that can influence the conditions include an increase in your blood pressure, increased abdominal pressure, hormonal changes such as in a pregnancy, or an injury.
Fibroids can also rupture because of another process known as degradation. In degradation, the blood flow to the fibroid is less than it needs to survive.
In most cases, the fibroid shrinks until the blood flow is restored. Sometimes, the decreased flow causes the fibroid to rupture instead.
Interestingly, a twisted peduncular fibroid can affect blood flow and lead to a rupture. That means you would have the symptoms of both a twisted and ruptured fibroid. It should be noted that peduncular fibroids are more likely to burst than other types of fibroids.
The pain from a twisted or ruptured fibroid can be severe and hard to ignore. Apart from the pain, you may also experience unexplained bleeding, nausea, as well as a significant increase in your blood pressure. You may also have a low-grade fever and a high white blood cell count when checked by the doctor.
While it might be tempting to leave a check-up until the last minute, ruptured or twisted fibroids should never be ignored.
Ruptured fibroids, in particular, can lead to complications because of the impact the condition has on your blood pressure. Significant blood loss is also a possibility.
Once you see a doctor, the first thing you can expect is an examination. This examination will likely include a thorough assessment of the stomach and pelvic region.
Any indication of bloating and an increase in your pain when certain areas are touched are generally signs of a ruptured or twisted fibroid. In that case, your doctor will recommend emergency surgery to address the issue.
Typically, only the fibroids that are presenting an issue will be removed but other options might be discussed depending on your medical history. For example, if you have experienced problems with your fibroids before, your doctor may want to talk about having a hysterectomy.
A hysterectomy entails the removal of the entire uterus. Since it can come with its own set of side effects, it tends to be a last resort.
The good news in all of this is that ruptured and twisted fibroids are still considered to be a rare occurrence. Bear in mind, though, that many African American women are living with fibroids who have not been officially diagnosed. As such, it’s best to be aware of the potential issues the condition may cause.
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