Uterine Fibroids

Sometimes in medicine specialists who do not necessarily specialise in any one particular part of the body come up with a treatment that works particularly well in another specialist’s territory. When this happens, rather than arguing over who the patient should belong to, the clever ones work together to see how they can best serve the needs of the patient. It is no longer a case of ‘one-size-fits-all’. The options used to be limited – gynaecologists performed hysterectomies. Those days are fortunately becoming the past and depending on individual circumstances, patients now have a wider choice of more minimally invasive and effective treatments. If you are concerned about diagnosing or treating fibroidsBenign tumours, most often in the uterus., it is important to be aware of these options – and this involves dealing with different types of specialists. Here we talk to both the expert gynaecologist and the expert radiologistA doctor specializing in the interpretation of imaging techniques for the diagnosis and assessment of disease., and more importantly they are happy to talk to each other.

A Gynaecologist should always be the first specialist a patient should see if concerned about fibroids, or any other gynaecological issue. An expert gynaecologist will be able to recognise when embolisation might be an option and will discuss this and recommend this procedure only when and if appropriate.

Each article on uterine fibroids was prepared by a leading clinical expert. Click on the article title to find information about the disease, details of the types of treatment that the Consultant recommends and where you can get access to this treatment. Click on the Consultant's name to see their qualifications, the extent of their experience and where they practice.

Expert articles

The Causes of Irregular and Heavy Periods

By Mr Ertan Saridogan, Consultant GynaecologistContact

Irregularity and heaviness of periods may be due to a number of causes including fibroidsBenign tumours, most often in the uterus. (non-cancerousMalignant, a tumour that may invade surrounding tissues or spread to distant parts of the body. growths) of the wombThe uterus., polypsGrowths on the surface of a mucous membrane (a surface that secretes mucous), lining any body cavity that opens to the outside of the body. (abnormal growth of tissueA group of cells with a similar structure and a specialised function. from the lining of the womb), thickening of the lining of the womb (hyperplasia), adenomyosis of the womb (non-cancerous condition of the womb that often mimics the symptoms of fibroids), bleeding or clotting problems, bloodA fluid that transports oxygen and other substances through the body, made up of blood cells suspended in a liquid. thinning medication, hormonal imbalance or, very rarely, cancer of the womb or of the neck of the womb (cervixAny neck-like structure; most commonly refers to the neck of the uterus.).

Uterine Fibroid Embolisation. What is Involved?

By Dr Nigel Hacking, Consultant RadiologistContact

Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE)

This is a non-surgical, minimally-invasive, procedure that blocks off the arteries that supply the fibroidsBenign tumours, most often in the uterus. with bloodA fluid that transports oxygen and other substances through the body, made up of blood cells suspended in a liquid. (the uterine arteries), therefore shrinking the fibroids.

It is performed with the patient conscious, but sedated.
It is carried out by an Interventional Radiologist (IR), a doctor who has been specially trained in using x-ray equipment, interpreting the images produced and performing operations using X-Ray or other modern imaging equipment for guidance.
It was first performed in France in the early 1990’s, although radiologists have been embolising uterine arteries for more than 20 years to control bleeding from the wombThe uterus., especially after childbirth.
80-96% of women are satisfied with the treatment and its result, and most patients rate the procedure as “very tolerable”.
The shrinkage in fibroid size averages 60% but varies from 20-100%.
Most women start getting relief of symptoms immediately, although fibroids that have taken years to develop will take months, or even years, to shrink to their final size.
Over 150,000 women world-wide have undergone fibroid embolisation (UFE).

Modern Management of Uterine Fibroids

By Mr Adrian Lower, Fibroids ExpertContact

In the earlier articles in this series we looked at the nature of fibroidsBenign tumours, most often in the uterus. and the investigations used to establish an accurate diagnosisThe process of determining which condition a patient may have.. In this article we shall look at the management options for the treatment of uterine fibroids and some of the factors which will guide your gynaecologist in helping you to select the correct management for you.

Investigations Used to Establish a Diagnosis of Uterine Fibroids

By Mr Adrian Lower, Fibroids ExpertContact

The first article in this three-article series presented what fibroidsBenign tumours, most often in the uterus. are, the different types and some of the problems they cause. However, symptoms attributable to uterine fibroids can also be caused by a number of other conditions, notably ovarianrelating to the ovaries cysts, endometriosisA condition in which tissue that normally lines the uterus (womb) of a woman is found outside the uterus or in other parts of the body. and pelvicRelating to the pelvis. infectionInvasion by organisms that may be harmful, for example bacteria or parasites.. As such, it is particularly important that the most appropriate investigative technique is used to determine an accurate diagnosisThe process of determining which condition a patient may have. and subsequent options for treatment.

An Introduction to Fibroids

By Mr Adrian Lower, Fibroids ExpertContact

Uterine fibroidsBenign tumours, most often in the uterus., which are non-cancerousMalignant, a tumour that may invade surrounding tissues or spread to distant parts of the body. tumours, occur in up to 50% of women. Although they only cause symptoms in around a quarter of cases they remain the most common cause of hysterectomyThe surgical removal of the uterus (womb). before the menopauseThe time of a woman’s life when her ovaries stop releasing an egg (ovum) on a monthly cycle..

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Uterine Fibroids

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