Fibroids

Fibroids are non-cancerous tumours that can appear on the inside or outside lining of your uterus. They often grow on the uterine wall, uterine lining or the exterior wall of the uterus. These growths can be large and cause severe abdominal pain and heavy periods. It’s not clear what causes fibroids to develop but factors such as hormone abnormality and family history may influence their growth.

In many cases, fibroids don’t cause any pain or symptoms.

Other symptoms can include

Heavy periods
Lengthy periods
Spotting between periods
Painful intercourse
A sensation of heaviness or pressure in the back, bowel and bladder
Frequent urination
A lump or swelling in the lower abdomen

In some cases, fibroids can cause complications including

Excessive menstrual blood loss which can cause anaemia. Symptoms of anaemia include breathlessness, fatigue and paleness.
Large fibroids can press against the bladder, causing a sensation of fullness or discomfort and the need to urinate.
The presence of fibroids can interfere with implantation of a fertilised egg, cause infertility or difficulty in conceiving.
During pregnancy, fibroids can reduce blood flow to the placenta, or compete for space with the developing baby. This may result in a miscarriage or premature delivery.

Treatment and diagnosis

Fibroids can be detected using an ultrasound or examined with a hysteroscope, a thin tube passed through the cervix. A small camera may be placed at the tip of the hysteroscope, so that the interior of the uterus can be viewed on a monitor.

Most fibroids do not cause symptoms and do not require treatment. If detected, a ‘wait and see’ approach is sometimes adopted.

In the cases where treatment is required due to pain, pressure on the organs, abnormal bleeding or issues with fertility,