FIBROIDS
I met up with an old friend recently after she had contacted me about what she had been going through with what she initially thought was peri menopausal symptoms – very heavy bleeding.
However, it ended up that she had fibroids. The thing was, she was going through a very tough time with the flooding where she had such heavy/clotted bleeding that twice her coil had come out – unbeknown to her or the medical profession.
I’m telling you this – not to scare you, as this is a very bad experience (I had fibroids and had none of these problems). I want women to be aware of them IF they are experiencing exceptionally heavy bleeds.
It did also take a while before the medical profession sent her for a scan and initially the fibroids were only small. Also she was typically peri-menopausal and women can experience heavy periods.
However, my friend really was going through such a hard time – needing iron infusions too – due to losing so much blood and then the fear it was something more sinister.
Fortunately, with more scans and seeing how much the fibroids had grown, they then gave her the options of what to do – surgical options which she thought was rather drastic.
When she saw a consultant and looked back at her last few yrs and how the bleeding totally took over her life, she knew her best option was a hysterectomy. The consultant went through the options and she knew to get her life back she needed to have a hysterectomy.
As I said, I had fibroids which affected me in every day life, but nothing like my friend’s. I had heaviness, uncomfortableness, a bit heavier periods & it was affecting me and my work. This was all exactly 10 yrs ago now.
I did choose the hysterectomy, got rid of everything other than my ovaries. Mine was not done through key hole as they found bigger fibroids when they opened me up. The recovery is a bit longer with the full scar across my tummy.
So, what are fibroids and what can you do if you suspect you have them
What are Fibroids & what are the symptoms?
Fibroids are non-cancerous growths that develop in or around the uterus.
They can cause a range of symptoms, depending on their size, number, and location. Some common symptoms include:
• Heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding, which can lead to anaemia.
• Pelvic pain or pressure, often described as a feeling of fullness or bloating.
• Frequent urination or difficulty emptying the bladder, as fibroids can press on the bladder.
• Constipation or other bowel issues, if fibroids press on the rectum.
• Pain during intercourse, depending on the location of the fibroids.
• Lower back or leg pain, especially if fibroids press on nerves.
• Enlarged abdomen, which can make the stomach appear swollen.
Interestingly, many women with fibroids experience no symptoms at all, and the condition is often discovered during routine medical exams. If you think you might have fibroids, it’s a good idea to consult a healthcare professional for evaluation and advice.
Hormones and Fibroids
Hormones, particularly oestrogen and progesterone, play a significant role in fibroid growth. These hormones stimulate the uterine lining during the menstrual cycle, and fibroids tend to grow when hormone levels are high, such as during pregnancy. After menopause, when hormone levels drop, fibroids often shrink.
What You Can Do About Fibroids
Ok, so treatment options depend on the severity of symptoms and your personal circumstances. Ideally if they are not causing you any problems then you may be better off leaving them to shrink during your menopause. Otherwise, here are the options:
• Medications:
Hormone therapies can help regulate menstrual cycles and shrink fibroids.
• Non-surgical procedures:
Uterine artery embolization cuts off the blood supply to fibroids, causing them to shrink.
• Surgical options:
Myomectomy removes fibroids while preserving the uterus,
Hysterectomy removes the uterus entirely.
• Lifestyle changes:
Maintaining a healthy weight and managing stress may help reduce symptoms.
Types of Hysterectomy
If a hysterectomy is necessary, there are different types:
1. Total Hysterectomy: Removes the uterus and cervix.
2. Subtotal (Partial) Hysterectomy: Removes the upper part of the uterus but leaves the cervix intact.
3. Radical Hysterectomy: Removes the uterus, cervix, upper part of the vagina, and surrounding tissues, often for cancer treatment.
4. Hysterectomy with Bilateral Salpingo-Oophorectomy: Removes the uterus, cervix, and both ovaries and fallopian tubes.
Obviously, you would be guided by your consultant and it really is about you weighing up how much they are affecting your life and how close to the menopause you are. Remember, they can and do shrink in the menopause – but it depends on how your symptoms are and if you can wait. Talk to friends who have had a hysterectomy or get in touch with me about it.
