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Uterine Fibroids Treatment,symptoms, & treatment options
Uterine fibroids are benign lumps that grow in the uterus. Almost 50% of women will get uterine fibroids by the age of 50. These are benign (non-cancerous) lumps but can lead to symptoms that can affect the quality of your life.
What Are Fibroids in the Uterus?
Fibroids in uterus are non-cancerous growths made of muscle and fibrous tissue. They vary in size. Some are as small as a pea. Others can grow as large as a melon.
There are four main types:
- Intramural fibroids — grow inside the uterine wall (most common)
- Subserosal fibroids — grow on the outside of the uterus
- Submucosal fibroids — grow inside the uterine cavity
- Pedunculated fibroids — attach to the uterus via a stalk
The type and location affect both your symptoms and treatment options.
What causes fibroids?
The exact cause of fibroids is not known, but they are more common in Afro-Caribbean women. Fibroids usually grow slowly and can sometimes reach impressive size even upto the size of a full term pregnancy!
Fibroids are oestrogen-dependent and therefore are uncommon before the age of 20 and tend to shrink after menopause.
Other risk factors include a family history of fibroids, being overweight, and eating a diet high in red meat. Stress and low vitamin D levels may also play a role
What are the common symptoms?
Fibroids are known to cause period-related symptoms. Heavy painful periods, intermenstrual bleeding and fatigue due to anaemia are common symptoms. With increasing size, fibroids can be felt as a tummy mass and can press on the bladder leading to frequency and urgency of micturition. Sometimes, they outgrow their own blood-supply and can become painful.
Here is a full list of fibroids symptoms to watch for:
- Heavy or prolonged periods
- Pelvic pain or pressure
- Bloating or a swollen abdomen
- Frequent need to urinate
- Pain during sex
- Lower back pain
- Difficulty getting pregnant
- Spotting between periods
Not all women have symptoms. Some fibroids are found by chance during a routine scan. But if you have any of these fibroids symptoms, it is worth getting checked.
How do you make a diagnosis?
Ultrasound scan is the best way to detect size and location of uterine fibroids.
Most fibroids are not dangerous. However, the risks of fibroids include:
- Severe anaemia from heavy blood loss
- Difficulty conceiving or increased risk of miscarriage
- Premature labour or placental problems in pregnancy
- Compression of nearby organs such as the bladder or bowel
- Rare risk of a malignant change (approximately 1 in 1,000 cases)
It is important not to ignore fibroids. Early treatment reduces the risks of fibroids becoming a more serious problem
What are the uterine fibroids treatment options?
Uterine Fibroids Treatment depends on the size and location of fibroids and symptoms caused. One should get it treated at the best possible fibroid clinic. Asymptomatic fibroids can be left alone.
We offer a full range of options. Mr Agarwal will recommend the best treatment for fibroids based on your symptoms and age
30 minute consultation with consultant gynaecologist
Management of symptoms: to reduce heaviness of periods and treat anaemia
Hysteroscopic resection: Suitable for intra-cavity (submucous) fibroids
Laparoscopic myomectomy: Suitable for fibroids up to 10cm in size
Open myomectomy: Reserved for very large and numerous fibroids
Uterine artery embolisation: Treatment to block blood supply of fibroids leading to shrinkage
MRI-guided focused ultrasound: New treatment useful for small-medium sized fibroids
Hysterectomy (laparoscopic or open): A permanent solution suitable to women with severe symptoms who have completed their family
Wherever possible, we use minimally invasive techniques. This means less pain, a faster recovery, and less time off work
Can uterine fibroids be treated by key-hole surgery?
Very often, fibroids can be treated by key-hole surgery. If the fibroids are encroaching into the uterine cavity, they can be easily resected (hysteroscopic resection). Laparoscopic myomectomy is suitable for fibroids up to 10cm in size and usually 1-3 fibroids can be removed in one key-hole procedure. Finally, if hysterectomy is needed, it can be often performed as a key-hole procedure.
Keyhole surgery means smaller cuts, less scarring, and a quicker return to normal life. Most patients go home the same day or within 24 hours
Can fibroids affect pregnancy?
In presence of fibroids, pregnancy often progresses without any problems but it can also be a rocky relationship! Fibroids can make it more difficult to get pregnant and can also increase risk of miscarriage or premature delivery. You are more likely to have a breech presentation or transverse lie and need a caesarean section. Bleeding after delivery can also be a problem. See your doctor to see if removal of fibroids is necessary before getting pregnant.
If you are trying to conceive and you have been told you have fibroids in uterus, early specialist advice is very important. Treating fibroids before pregnancy can improve your chances of a healthy outcome
Is there a risk of fibroids turning malignant?
This is very rare and is quoted as 1 in 1000. If the fibroids are growing at a very rapid rate, an MRI scan may be needed to obtain more information.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fibroid
Common fibroids symptoms include heavy periods, pelvic pain, and a swollen abdomen. An ultrasound scan will confirm whether you have fibroids in uterus and show their size and location
We offer a full range of treatments. These include medication to manage symptoms, hysteroscopic resection, laparoscopic myomectomy, uterine artery embolisation, MRI-guided focused ultrasound, and hysterectomy. The right option depends on the size and location of your fibroids and your symptoms
The best treatment for fibroids depends on your symptoms, the size of the fibroids, and your plans for having children. Options range from medication to keyhole surgery or hysterectomy. Mr Agarwal will guide you to the right choice
Fibroids are almost always benign. However, the risks of fibroids include anaemia, fertility problems, and discomfort. Left untreated, large fibroids can cause serious problems. Early treatment is always better
