Fibroids (also called leiomyomas or myomas) are non-cancerous tumours arising from the muscle wall of the womb. It is one of the most prevalent gynaecological conditions, estimated to be present in about 20-30% of women.
Most fibroids grow within the wall of the uterus, and based on their location, they are classified as:
Submucosal fibroids, which grow inside the cavity of the womb.
Intramural fibroids, which grow within the wall of the womb.
Subserosal fibroids, which grow on the outside of the uterus.
Symptoms of Uterine Fibroids
Depending on the size and location of the fibroids, symptoms may or may not be present. However, fibroids may cause the following symptoms:
Heavy menses
Prolonged menses
Painful menses
Feeling "full" in the lower abdomen, sometimes referred to as "pelvic pressure"
Frequent urination
Lower back pain
Difficulty conceiving and repeated miscarriages
How are Uterine Fibroids diagnosed?
Uterine fibroids can be diagnosed by a pelvic exam and ultrasound scans. Sometimes an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan may be required to get more detailed information about the size, number and location of fibroids.
How are Uterine Fibroids treated?
Management of fibroids are tailored to individual symptoms and goals.
The treatment options depend on symptoms, size and location of the fibroids, desire for further childbearing and personal preferences.
If an individual has uterine fibroids but has no symptoms, she may not need treatment. However, regular check-ups may be required to monitor fibroid growth. Since fibroids are hormone-dependent, they usually decrease in size after menopause.
For mild symptoms such as pain, your doctor may suggest pain-relievers.
Hormonal medications (pills or hormonal intra-uterine devices such as the Mirena) can be prescribed to reduce the bleeding during menses. GnRH analogues can shrink fibroids and reduce bleeding or pressure symptoms but are usually short-term due to side effects.
Severe symptoms, large fibroids, or those continuing to grow may necessitate surgical intervention.
Surgery involves either removing the fibroids (myomectomy) or the entire womb (hysterectomy) depending on desire for further childbearing and personal preferences. Both procedures can be performed via the laparoscopic (keyhole) or conventional open surgery, depending on factors such as fibroid size andlocation.
Other treatments include uterine artery embolization (UAE) is a minimally invasive procedure that treats the fibroids without removing the uterus. It involved cutting off the bleeding supply to the fibroids under X-ray guidance, causing them to shrink.
