What are fibroids ?
- Fibroids are the commonest benign tumours of the uterus.
- It is extremely prevalent & most common from ages of 20-45 yrs.
- It may be present in as many as 25-50% of women population.
- Fibroids essentially are non cancerous masses but may undergo changes & degenerations which make some more dangerous than others
- Not all fibroids need removal. Only 40% of women with fibroids need treatment.
Warning Signs & Symptoms that you may have fibroids
- Nearly 40-50% will have no symptoms to realise that they may be having fibroids & often detected on incidental Sonography
- Heavy bleeding with passage of clots which may cause Anemia – drop in Haemoglobin.
- Dysmenorrhoea – Painful Periods
- Heaviness in abdomen & bloating Pressure effect of fibroids – Urinary frequency & Constipation
- Difficulty in conceiving – Sub- Fertility
- Recurrent Miscarriages
How are fibroids detected & what investigations you may need ?
- Sonography with Color Doppler – identifies nature & location of fibroids. Doppler assesses blood flow patterns giving clarity about the nature of fibroids.
- MRI occasionally in cases of multiple fibroids for accurate mapping & in suspected dangerous fibroids
- Blood tests depend on the treatment plan
- Basic Haemogram CBC, Prolactin & Serum LDH isoenzyme 3 which gives a clue if the fibroids have degenerations or bad changes.
What are your treatment options ?
- Medicines work on fibroids but the effect is temporary and only reserved usually to tide over crisis.
- Tablets or injections reduce blood flow through fibroids, reduce symptoms like pain & bleeding and may cause slight reduction in size.
- Essentially if symptoms are severe your fibroids will need Surgical Removal.
- Removal of uterus unless age is above 45 years and child-bearing & family is completed is NOT the treatment of fibroids.
