Uterine Fibroids
Uterine fibroids are muscular tumours that grow in the uterus. They can be small in size like a grape or grow as big as a grapefruit. In some cases, they become very large and cause compression symptoms on the pelvic organs. Majority of uterine fibroids are benign and will not be cancerous.
Not all women with fibroids have symptoms. Women who have symptoms may find fibroids hard to live with. Fibroids can cause pain and heavy menstrual bleeding. Large fibroids can also put pressure on the bladder, causing frequent urination, or the rectum, causing rectal pressure.
Symptoms & causes of fibroids
Not all women with fibroids have symptoms. Women who have symptoms may find fibroids hard to live with. Fibroids can cause pain and heavy menstrual bleeding. Large fibroids can also put pressure on the bladder, causing frequent urination, or the rectum, causing rectal pressure.
Researchers think that more than one factor could play a role:
- Hormonal (affected by estrogen and progesterone levels)
- Family history
What are the treatment options for uterine fibroids?
Several treatments are available depending on the severity of your symptoms.
Medication
Over the counter pain relief medication for mild symptoms. Hormonal therapy with gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist can shrink fibroids and reduce heavy periods. Some side effects can occur with hormone medication such as hot flushes, mood change and bone thinning can limit the its use to no more than six months. Once hormone medication stopped, fibroids often grow back.
Intrauterine device ( eg. Mirena)
IUD’s release progesterone-like medication to control heavy bleeding. Heavy bleeding is converted to long term spotting. Large size fibroids can make IUD insertion difficult. These can be inserted by GPs or gynaecologist.
Surgery
A gynaecologist will offer the following options which may involve laparoscpic or open surgery.
- Myomectomy removes fibroids without taking out the healthy parts of the uterus. However this is limited to removing one or two fibroids.
- Hysterectomy removes the uterus and completely cures uterine fibroids.
- Endometrial ablation removes the inner lining of the uterus to control heavy bleeding but does not shrink the fibroid that causes pressure symptoms.
Uterine Fibroid Embolisation (UFE)
Suitable for moderate to severe symptoms caused by uterine fibroids. At Medivein, we offer UFE as an effective non-surgical alternative to surgery so patient have more choice and healthcare option. We encourage patient to seek out more information and make an informed choice on what is the best treatment for their condition.
UFE is performed by an Interventional Radiologist, as a day-only procedure. It can also be called Uterine Artery Embolisation (UAE). Similar to performing an angiogram for the heart, an angiogram can be done in the uterine artery with an Xray machine and contrast dye. Tiny gel particles are then injected to block off the blood supply to the fibroids. After the UFE procedure, large fibroids will shrink in size and therefore reducing the incidence of bleeding and pressure symptoms in the abdomen. The normal uterine tissue is not harmed.
UFE is also a proven method to treat uterine adenomyosis, caused by abnormal growth of endometrial glands into the muscle layer of the uterus, leading to similar symptoms as fibroids such as pelvic pain, heavy bleeding and fertility issues. It is harder to diagnose based on symptoms alone. Our specialist doctor will recommend the right tests so an accurate diagnosis and treatment pathway can be provided.
Am I suitable for Uterine Fibroid Embolisation?
If you are affected by symptoms caused by large uterine fibroids and have a desire to preserve your uterus or not go through with a hysterectomy, then we encourage you to look into Uterine Fibroid Embolisation at Medivein. Our specialist is happy to speak to you and answer any questions you or your GP may have. Many women have chosen to go with UFE as the treatment for them and our patients have been very grateful and happy with the results.
What are the benefits of Uterine Fibroid Embolisation?
UFE have been performed worldwide since 1995
International research studies have proven UFE is safe and effective for relieving symptoms and improve women’s quality of life.
In 90% of patients who have UFE, the uterus is preserved and there is a good chance of preserving the ability to fall pregnant. However successful pregnancy depend on many things. Your Interventional Radiologist will give you advice on the treatment options and counsel you on whether UFE is best for you.
Importantly, there is 80-90% success rate in shrinking fibroids after one treatment.
Other benefits of UFE include:
- No scar and minimally invasive
- Faster recovery than open surgery
- Less major complication than open surgery
- Cost of the procedure is lower than traditional surgery
Are there any complications with this procedure?
Uterine fibroid embolisation is a safe and minimally invasive procedure performed through a tiny incision in the skin. Therefore the recovery is generally fast, 1-2 days after discharge from hospital.
Complications are very rare:
- Groin haematoma is less than 1%.
- Blood vessel injuries are rare.
- Bladder infection from having a urine tube in the bladder is 3%.
- Ovarian failure or early menopause occurs in 1 – 3%.
- Small fibroid fragments can pass out of the body as vaginal discharge. On rare occasion <3% of women, large tissue fragments can block the cervix, requiring a curette procedure.
If you have any of the above symptoms, contact us today for a consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you have varicose veins without symptoms?
The short answer is YES.
We have also seen patients with severe symptoms of swelling and heaviness without visible varicose veins. If you experience symptoms, the best option is to get an opinion from your specialist.
What is the best method to treating varicose veins?
We offer the latest in varicose vein treatment which follow the NICE (UK’s National Institute of Health and Care Excellence) guidelines. Endovenous laser ablation and foam sclerotherapy injections are gold standard minimally invasive techniques performed under local anaesthetic on an outpatient basis. On comparison to traditional open surgery and vein stripping, these treatments give equally good result, with the benefit of less pain and faster recovery.
It is important to identify the underlying cause of the varicose veins before starting treatment.
What other vein issues can occur in the body?
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is the formation of blood clots in the deep veins. This can occur in the arms, legs or inside the central veins of the body. Complication of DVT can be serious including migration of clots to the lung and heart causing shortness of breath, reduce exercise tolerance and chest pain. Venous obstruction or a genetic condition are a few of the causes for DVT. We consult on patients with deep vein thrombosis, and rarer conditions such as May-Thurner’s Syndrome and Nut-Cracker Syndrome. We can help patients who present with acute deep vein thrombosis by retrieving clots using minimally invasive technology.
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