Fibroids....

Hope you're all well and this post finds you in the best of health.
So this week I thought it will be useful to talk about fibroids as a follow up to last week's post on heavy periods here.
 First thing to say is fibroids are very common! They are non-cancerous growths that develop in or around the womb.Most women are unaware that they have fibroids but it is estimated that about 1 in 3 women with fibroids will go on to experience symptoms from it.
Black women are 3-5 times more likely to develop fibroids and also typically present with multiple fibroids at an earlier age which are larger and present with more severe symptoms.

Fibroids are more likely to present in women aged 30-50 and it is not completely understood what determines who gets fibroids. It is more common in obese women due to an increased level of oestrogen in this population and having children has been found to be a protective factor (women who have had children have a lower risk of developing fibroids and the risk decreases the more children you have).Fibroids are also known to shrink post menopause so this further supports the oestrogen theory.


Types of fibroids

Fibroids can grow anywhere in or around the womb and there is a huge size variation The main types of fibroids are:

• Intramural Fibroids – the most common type of fibroid, which develops in the wall of the womb
• Subserosal Fibroids – These develop outside the wall of the womb and can protrude into the pelvis. These have the potential to become quite large.
• Submucosal Fibroids – fibroids that develop in the muscle layer beneath the womb's inner lining and grow into the cavity of the womb
• Pedunculated Fibroids- Fibroids that are attached to a stalk

  

Symptoms of Fibroids

• Heavy or painful periods
• Abdominal pain
• Pain during sexual intercourse
• Constipation
• Increased urge to pass urine
• Lower back pain
• Abdominal distension/bloating
• Infertility
• In rare cases where fibroids exist during pregnancy they can cause miscarriage, growth restriction, premature labour and a woman might require a c-section to deliver the baby if the fibroids are blocking the passage way for the baby.

Diagnosing Fibroids 

Most fibroids are usually diagnosed by chance, however if you are experiencing any of the symptoms above or concerned you might have fibroids, it is important to visit your doctor promptly. The doctor will usually take a detailed history and proceed to examine you as well. Following on from this the doctor will go on to reccommend a pelvic ultrasound scan to look for fibroids. 

Treatment

Treatment is only recommended if you are experiencing symptoms due to fibroids as most women will not experience symptoms and fibroids shrink following menopause. To simplify I have grouped treatments into smaller groups.

1. Medications to control symptoms such as heavy/painful periods-these include NSAIDs, The coil, POP read more about them here
2. Gonadotrophin releasing hormone analogues which act by shrinking the fibroids. These need to be monitored by a specialist. They are only usually prescribed for a few months and fibroids could potentially grow back in size once they are stopped.
3. Surgery. This can range from procedures to block blood supply to fibroids, to removal of invividual fibroids, to removal of lining of the womb and ultimately removal of the womb. These decisions are not taken lightly and reccommendations are made based on severity of symptoms, size of fibroids and need to conserve feritility.

Like I always say, my posts are to act as a guide and in no way should replace a face to face clinical consultation with a qualified medical professional 

There you have it, my simplified run through a very complex topic that is affecting a lot of women today. It is by no means an exhaustive post but I have tried to include as much useful information as possible. Are you living with fibroids or know someone living with fibroids, please share your fibroid story to encourage another woman out there. 

This past week I have come to realise that women are living with treatable conditions in silence due to fear of stigma or for religious reasons. There is power in health empowerment and early detection saves lives, take control today!

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