Latest non-invasive ways to treat and manage fibroids

Dr Patricia Muthaura

Fibroids — non-cancerous growths in the uterus — do not always require an operation to remove the uterus.

Now, you may treat your fibroids with alternative methods.

Fibroids are common and found in a quarter of women in their reproductive years. Unfortunately science has not found out what triggers their growth. They are two-three times more common in black women and are found during their reproductive years and usually shrink after menopause.

Studies have shown oestrogen and progesterone and genes, which control cell growth, may affect their growth. Most women with fibroids have no problems conceiving and carry a pregnancy to term without complications. Fibroids impact fertility less than five per cent of the time. Growths within the uterine cavity however may affect implantation and are more likely to cause fertility problems.

Be reassured that fibroids do not have to be treated unless they are causing symptoms. You should seek treatment if you have the following symptoms: Heavy, painful and irregular periods. Others are feeling heavy in the abdomen and a need to urinate frequently. Uncomfortable and painful sex are other signs.

Although most women may feel anxious when diagnosed with fibroids, there are many treatment and management options.

Medications

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Keep Reading

• Study links fibroids and endometriosis to higher death risk
• Study links endometriosis and uterine fibroids to premature death risk
• Hope for women with fibroids as new treatment saves fertility
• Fibroids explained: What every woman should know about the condition

Mild occasional pain or cramping may be treated with medications such as Diclofenac. Anaemia caused by excessive bleeding may be treated with iron. Oral contraceptive pills and Depo- provera may help reduce the amount of bleeding by making the uterine lining very thin while anti-oestrogen hormones, such as leuprolide shrink fibroids, improve pain and reduce bleeding.

This is a minimally invasive procedure done by an interventional radiologist. A small nick is placed in the skin and a tiny catheter is passed into a blood vessel to the uterine arteries. A substance is placed into these arteries blocking them. This limits blood flow to fibroids causing them to shrink. Many women are able to go home the day after the procedure.

In some cases surgery is an option. Myomectomy- is indicated for women who still wish to bear children while hysterectomy involves removal of the entire uterus.