Fibroid

Uterine fibroid is the most common benign gynecological tumor in pre-menopausal women (up to 25%). It can lead to abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB), pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea, and infertility.

Pregnant patients with fibroids are also at a high risk, especially of miscarriage, placenta praevia, preterm birth, or postpartum bleeding and should be closely followed up obstetricians.

Questions?

We will make the time to address
any concerns you have.

Symptoms

Potential symptoms are:

  • Feeling full/ bloating in the lower abdomen.
  • Pressure on the bladder may cause increased urinary frequency or urgency.
  • Constipation.
  • Painful sexual intercourse.
  • Increased clothing or pants size caused by an increase in waist size and a change in the abdominal contour.
  • Heavy menstruation/periods.
  • May influence reproductive function.

Diagnosis

The only reason that fibroids can be treated conservatively without a tissue diagnosis is because malignancy is very unusual.
Cancerous tumour such as leiomyosarcoma tends to occur in women in their 60s and 70s whereas uterine fibroids occur in women of reproductive age.

Larger fibroid can be detected during physical examination. However it is also often detected during imaging with:

  • Pelvic ultrasound, both transabdominal and transvaginal
  • MRI
  • CT

Treatment

The standard treatment is surgical with hysterectomy for those who have completed their childbearing and myomectomy for those who wish to retain their uterus.

There are other non-surgical options of treatment, such as hormonal manipulation, progesterone receptor antagonist and invasive radiological therapy. These options however have varying degree of success.

Dr Sem will discuss the suitable treatment options with you.