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| Q1 |
What are Fibroids? |
Answer: Fibroids grow in your womb. They are usually a non-cancerous tumor. They are sometimes called uterine myomas, fibromyomas or leiomyomas. One in every three women gets them, and about half of them are not aware that they have fibroids. |
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| Q2 |
Are fibroids cancerous? |
Answer: It is very rare for fibroids to become cancerous. However, it is best to consult your doctor about whether to remove the fibroids surgically, especially if you have gone through the menopause. |
| Q3 |
What is the cause? |
Answer: Around one in three women have fibroids, but fewer than half of these women ever get any symptoms. It’s not clear what causes fibroids It is known that oestrogen causes the growth of fibroids. However, it is difficult to consider it as a determining factor for the cause of fibroids. |
| Q4 |
Is it necessary to have fibroids treated? |
Answer: If the symptoms are mild, or you do not have any symptoms, it is unnecessary to treat fibroids. However, if you develop symptoms or they cause pain, it is wise to get some advice from your doctor. S/he may suggest having an ultrasound scan to detect fibroids. |
| Q5 |
Do I have to have a hysterectomy? |
Answer: Currently, there is no single drug which will remove fibroids. However, there are hormone-based treatments which can be used to ease the symptoms. There are alternative medical treatments such as anti-inflammatory medicines or certain contraceptive pills, which can reduce the fibroids. |
| Q6 |
What is Uterine Artery Embolisatiion (UAE)? |
Answer: This is a non-surgical treatment to reduce the size of fibroids by blocking the blood supply to them. The treatment is performed under local anesthetic. |
| Q7 |
Will fibroids affect my fertility? |
Answer: The majority of women with fibroids do not have problems with their pregnancy and delivery. The records show for two thirds of women, fibroids stay at their current size or reduce in size during pregnancy. It is rare to have problems such as miscarriage, premature labour or bleeding. However, it is best to seek advice from your specialist if you are pregnant and have fibroids. |