Uterine fibroid: a review

Uterine fibroid is a benign tumour of uterine smooth muscle. The purpose of this review is to bring to light the current spectra of presentation and management status of this benign and very important cause of menstrual and fertility disturbance in African women and the Black race in general. This is especially so with the trivialization of its aetological factors and treatment by claims from alternative medical practitioners. This review, therefore sought to document what is currently known about the condition and what could possibly be done to achieve better results in its management.

Literature on the subject above was reviewed using manual library search, electronic books such as CD-ROMS and journals articles published by various local and international authors on the subject; it also included internet search on relevant aspects of the topic.

Fibroid is the commonest benign tumour of the female genital tract, it contributes about 70 to 80% of new growths in the female genital tracts, it is a cause of significant morbidity in women of reproductive age group and when complicated could be a significant cause of mortality. Spectrum of presentation mainly involves disturbance of menstruation, reduction in fertility, pressure and obstructive symptoms and rarely malignant presentations. When recognized early effective conservative and definitive therapies are available to offer relief for women and to make their menstrual and reproductive life more meaningful.

From the literature reviewed, it was obvious that the subject of uterine fibroid is still not fully exhausted and there were a lot of research questions waiting to be answered on the aetiopathogenesis of the disease. There is also the need to fashion out better treatment alternatives that will reduce morbidity in the process of managing the patient as well as those that will further enhance reproductive potentials after treatment.