What Do You Need to Know About the Treatment of Fibroids?

By Dr. Manju Khemani in Obstetrics And Gynaecology

Feb 20 , 2018 | 2 min read

Fibroids are the most common non-cancerous tumours of Uterus. They are also called Myoma and can vary in their shape, size and location.

Do you know that 35% of women of childbearing age have fibroids? And more than 50% of women who have fibroid have no symptoms and thus they are not aware that they might be having fibroids. These fibroids are diagnosed accidentally when ultrasound is done for some other problem.

Dr. Manju Khemani, Director and Head of Unit, Max Smart Super Speciality Hospital mentions about a few symptoms that the fibroids can cause like:

Heavy and prolonged periods
Heaviness in lower abdomen
Abdominal cramps
Frequency of urination
Sometimes difficulty in conception and maybe abortion.

These women who have the above-mentioned problems because of fibroids need immediate treatment. Once fibroids develop they remain with women till her deathbed and start shrinking after menopause.

Most women with fibroids can become pregnant. Fibroids which are located in the lining of the uterus or which are more than 6 cm in size and located in the wall of the uterus may need treatment before the patient can conceive. Before taking up for surgery woman and her partner should be thoroughly evaluated for other causes of infertility.

If a woman with fibroids becomes pregnant the biggest concern is whether she will have a miscarriage or preterm birth. During pregnancy, fibroids continue to grow and sometimes can cause severe pain needing hospitalization. Surgery is never done during pregnancy.

Are there any specific medications to make these fibroid disappear?

Medications are only to control symptoms. They can reduce the size temporarily but fibroids start growing once the medication is stopped. Medication does not improve pregnancy chances also. The mainstay of treatment is surgery.

What are the types of surgical treatment available for these patients with fibroids?

Myomectomy
Hysterectomy

Myomectomy is the removal of fibroid leaving behind the uterus. So for a woman who desires pregnancy myomectomy is the treatment of choice. If a patient becomes pregnant after myomectomy then usually her delivery is C-Sec.

Key Hole surgery or laparoscopic removal of fibroid--- These days fibroids are removed by laparoscopy which reduces postoperative pain for a woman and causes very early recovery. After surgery patient is discharged the next day. If the fibroid is located in the lining of the uterus or submucous location it is removed again by a keyhole surgery called hysteroscopic removal. It is a day care procedure. In this nothing is cut or sutured. Everything is done vaginally.

Non-surgical treatment of fibroid is also available. In this blood supply to fibroid is blocked by a procedure called uterine artery embolization. This procedure is not recommended for a woman who desires pregnancy. So there is no single correct treatment of fibroid it varies from case to case.