What are fibroids?
Fibroids (or myomas/leiomyomas) are non-cancerous growths within the muscle of the uterus (womb). They are very common (occurring in up to 40% of women at some point during their lives) and are usually diagnosed during the reproductive years.
What symptoms do fibroids cause?
Often, fibroids do not cause any symptoms and these are usually picked up during routine scans for other reasons – these can be left alone. However, some women can experience symptoms including heavy (sometimes painful) periods and pressure symptoms such as a feeling of fullness in the abdomen or the need to empty the bladder frequently. Symptoms (and associated severity) will depend on the size, location and number of fibroids.
If I have symptoms, what are my treatment options?
Different treatment options are available depending on the size, location and symptoms caused by the fibroids, age of the patient and patient preference.
- Medical treatment with tablets/injections reduces levels of certain hormones such as oestrogen and cause fibroids to shrink.
- Surgical options include myomectomy (removal of accessible fibroids through open, laparoscopic or hysteroscopic surgery) and hysterectomy (removal of the entire uterus and all fibroids within it).
- Uterine artery embolization is an internationally well-established, minimally invasive procedure used to treat all fibroids in a single sitting with excellent outcomes. During the procedure, the blood supply to the fibroids is blocked by tiny, microscopic, inert particles injected through a long, thin tube introduced into a blood vessel in the wrist causing the fibroids to shrink over the following few weeks/months. Dr Sagoo carries out UFE at most major hospitals in Nairobi.