Managing Uterine Fibroids

About 35% of women between the ages 35 and 45 are most likely to be affected by uterine fibroids. This is the childbearing age. Uterine fibroids will cause pain and heavy bleeding thus causing women to have hysterectomy. Most women with fibroids will have difficulty conceiving or will have miscarriages.

Oestrogen Levels

Fibroids are muscle tumours which grow inside the uterus, within the walls of the uterus or attach themselves to the stem of the uterus. Fibroids are known to start as a single cell and will mutate in the uterus. These tumours will grow to several centimeters in diameter. Fibroids have a very strong correlation to the oestrogen levels of the pre-menopausal years. Decreased levels of oestrogen after menopause will shrink fibroids. Fibroids tumours can become cancerous.

Surgery is required for fibroids that cause pain and heavy bleeding. Hysterectomy is considered when there are a large number of fibroids which are causing pain and strong pressure. If you have fibroids and you are many years to menopause, there are two treatments.

1. Myomectomy which is the removal of the fibroid itself
2. Hysterectomy which is the removal of the entire uterus.

Small fibroids have no symptoms but as they grow larger, they cause pain, bleeding and infertility. Large fibroids will press on the bladder causing discomfort, frequent and urgent urinations. If you have abdominal swelling, your doctor can perform an ultrasound scan to confirm if you have fibroids.

Surgery

Surgery is required for fibroids that cause pain and heavy bleeding. Hysterectomy is considered when there are a large number of fibroids which are causing pain and strong pressure. If you have fibroids and you are many years to menopause, there are two treatments.

1. Myomectomy which is the removal of the fibroid itself
2. Hysterectomy which is the removal of the entire uterus.

Myomectomy

Myomectomy is performed to preserve the uterus for a possible future pregnancy. Myomectomy is performed through abdominal surgery, through cervix, through fiberoptic instrument or through myolisis which is destroying fibroids through laser. Fibroids can also be destroyed by freezing with liquid nitrogen.

Hysterectomy

Hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the uterus with or without other reproductive organs. There are three types of hysterectomies namely:

1. The v*ginal hysterectomy where the uterus and cervix are removed. Fallopian tubes and ovaries are left intact
2. Total abdominal hysterectomy - Consider a Da Vinci Robotic Surgery which is a better hysterectomy procedure than a traditional abdominal hysterectomy
3. Bilateral salpingo-ophorectomy where uterus, cervix, fallopian tubes and ovaries are removed.

Consult a Doctor

If you suspect you have fibroids, you should consult a doctor. Fibroids should be monitored and checked regularly by a doctor once every six months. Remember that about 1% of fibroids are cancerous.