Uterine Fibroid

The causes of uterine fibroids are not clear, but the following factors may be involved:

• Genetic changes – Linked to close family members with the condition
• Hormones – Sex hormones oestrogen and progesterone may promote the growth of a fibroid. These fibroids often shrink after menopause as the body produces less oestrogen and progesterone
• Other growth factors – Substances that help the body maintain tissues, like insulin-like growth factor

• A sense of pressure or discomfort in the lower abdomen or pelvis
• Acute abdominal pain or chronic and mild, but persistent, localised pain
• Constant back pain – a fibroid can press against the muscles and nerves of your lower back
• Difficulty passing stools – rectal pressure from a fibroid can cause a feeling of ‘fullness’
• Discomfort or pain during sexual intercourse – this should be mentioned to your doctor
• Excessive vaginal bleeding, passing of blood clots or extra long menstrual period
• The need to urinate frequently or inability to urinate despite a full bladder

Treatment will be decided based on your age, overall health and medical history, size of the fibroid(s), and your desire for future pregnancy. Treatments include:

• Abdominal hysterectomy – surgical removal of the uterus through the abdomen
• Vaginal hysterectomy – surgical removal of the uterus through the vagina. This may be done for smaller fibroids
• Laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy – removal of the uterus via keyhole surgery
• Abdominal myomectomy – surgical removal of the fibroid from the uterus through the abdomen
• Endometrial ablation and resection to remove the lining of the uterus
• Hormone treatment:
  1. Progesterone to counteract the excess oestrogen
  2. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone to turn off oestrogen production from your ovaries – this can delay fibroid treatment until after menopause when symptoms are less severe or may disappear completely. The hormone can also be used to shrink the fibroid before surgery
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for mild pain
• Uterine artery embolisation to block the blood to the fibroid, so that the fibroid shrinks and dies

Although uterine fibroids aren’t usually dangerous, the condition can cause discomfort and may lead to complications of anaemia from heavy blood loss. They can occasionally cause infertility or miscarriage, or prevent implantation and growth of an embryo. Rarely, uterine fibroid can warp or block your fallopian tubes, or affect the passage of sperm from your cervix to your fallopian tubes.