Fibroids, what are they?
Fibroids are non-cancerous tissue masses that grow inside your uterus. Although fibroids, also known as myomas or leiomyomas, rarely turn cancerous, they can grow and often range in size. Fibroids also have the potential to alter the shape and size of your uterus.
How do I know I have fibroids?
Heavy menstrual bleeding is one of the significant signs of fibroids. Other symptoms of the condition include:
- Frequent urge to urinate
- Stomach pain or cramps
- Painful sexual intercourse
What causes fibroids?
Genetics is one of the reasons for the formation of fibroids. Some women’s uterine tissue or muscle cells differ from others, making them more prone to fibroids. The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a substance that causes cells to become sticky and attach to each other. Fibroids have a high ECM content, making them more fibrous.
Another possible cause of fibroids is fluctuations in oestrogen and progesterone, the two primary hormones that promote your uterine lining’s growth during periods to prepare your body for pregnancy. Fibroids have unnatural levels of female hormone receptors, which normal uterine muscle cells lack.
What are the warning signs of problematic fibroids?
See your gynaecologist if you notice the following signs of uterine fibroids:
- Urinary incontinence
- Persistent and recurrent pelvic pain
- Heavy and painful menstrual bleeding
- Abdominal mass
How do you treat fibroids?
Most of the time, fibroids resolve over time. Whether small or large, fibroids eventually shrink to nothing, particularly during menopause when female hormones decline. Oestrogen and progesterone are female hormones that, when at their lowest, can have severe health complications. A sudden surge in oestrogen can exacerbate fibroids, intensifying pain.
Embolisation and ablation are forms of less invasive surgery to remove fibroids permanently, especially if they are causing a great deal of pain or heavy bleeding during menstruation.
Uterine artery embolisation is surgery to inject particles, technically known as embolic agents, to cut off blood supply to fibroids. Embolisation is an effective way to rid the uterus of fibroids, causing them to shrink and eventually disappear.
Radiofrequency ablation utilises energy to destroy fibroids and shrink vessels nourishing them, which prevents resurgence. Dr Molefi uses a laparoscope with an ultrasound probe at the tip to find and cauterise fibroid tissue. He deploys microscopic needles through a specialised device into the fibroid to destroy its contents.
