FibroidSpecialist.co.uk contains information on fibroid treatment in the UK
Title
UK Fibroids Specialists - The Fibroids Specialists Web Site - The London Fibroid clinic
Description
What are Fibroids?
Fibroids are benign tumours of the muscle of the uterus (womb). They are one of the most common tumours found in women during their reproductive years, although their place in causing infertility has been somewhat controversial. Fibroids are the single most common cause for hysterectomy, being responsible for somewhere between 20% and 77% of all hysterectomies performed. Fibroids can be found in up to half of all women undergoing a post mortem examination. They are more common in women who have not had children, women who are overweight and black women. Only about a quarter of women with fibroids will experience any symptoms. These may include heavy and painful periods, pain with sex, infertility or urinary or bowel symptoms caused by local pressure due to the fibroids. In women who do conceive, the fibroids may cause complications in pregnancy, including miscarriage, premature labour and pain due to infarction or red degeneration (caused by inadequate blood supply). Very rarely, a fibroid can undergo malignant change, particularly if the fibroid is very large or rapidly increases in size.
The diagnosis is usually made on the basis of a history of the symptoms described above or as an incidental finding at routine vaginal examination at the time of a cervical smear test. In women being investigated for infertility, fibroids are often found at a routine ultrasound scan. An ultrasound scan is an important investigation since it can also differentiate between an ovarian cyst or other pelvic tumour. An MRI scan, in which powerful magnets are used to look at the structure of tissues, is also very useful but rather expensive. It is particularly helpful in distinguishing between fibroids and adenomyosis (a condition related to endometriosis) which may be much more difficult to treat, and can cause similar problems.
The site of the fibroid will often influence the symptoms experienced and, to some extent, the treatment. Fibroids can be either submucous, intramural, subserous or pedunculated, as shown below.
