- Abnormal Smear
- Abnormalities of the Uterus
- Abnormalities of the Vagina
- Adenomyosis
- Amenorrhea
- Atrophic Vaginitis
- Bacterial Vaginosis
- Barrier Contraception
- Bartholins Cysts
- Caesarean Section
- Cervical Cancer
- Cervical Screening
- Childbirth
- Chlamydia
- Clitoral Hoodectomy
- Colposcopy
- Colposcopy
- Contraceptive Pill
- Dysmenorrhoea
- Dyspareunia
- Ectopic Pregnancy
- Endometrial Hyperplasia
- Endometriosis
- Fibroids
- Gonorrhoea
- Heavy Periods
- Hormone Replacement Therapy
- Hymenoplasty
- Hysterectomy
- Incontinence
- Incontinence
- Infertility
- Intrauterine Devices
- Labial Reduction
- Loss Of Libido
- Menorrhagia
- Menstrual Disorders
- Miscarriage
- Natural Family Planning
- Oligomenorrhoea
- Ovarian Cancer
- Ovarian Cysts
- Pelvic Floor Exercises
- Pelvic Floor Restoration
- Perineoplasty
- Polycystic Ovaries
- Polymenorrhoea
- Post-Coital Bleeding
- Pregnancy Scanning
- Premature Menopause
- Progesterone Contraceptive Pill
- Pruritus Vulva
- Sterilisation
- Syphilis
- The Wart Virus
- Thrush
- Treatment for CIN
- Uterine Cancer
- Uterine Prolapse
- Vaginal Cancer
- Vaginal Cysts
- Vaginal Discharge
- Vaginal Infections
- Vaginal Prolapse
- Vaginal Tightening
- Vulva Cancer
- Vulval Anatomy
- Vulval Dystrophy
- Vulvodynia
- Well Women Checks
Fibroids
Fibroids are small tumours that can develop in and around a woman’s uterus. They are not cancerous, but they can still cause some nasty side effects. Little is known regarding the cause of fibroids except that they are stimulated by oestrogen, but if found they can be surgically removed if they are causing a problem.
Many women will have fibroids at some point in their lives, but mostly they will be small and will cause no harm. They can be found in a number of locations in and around the uterus. Fibroids developing within the walls of the uterus are called intramural fibroids. If they are developing outside the walls of the uterus, they are called sub serous fibroids. Those developing inside the uterus are called sub mucous fibroids, and those developing in the cervix and called cervical fibroids. Fibroids in all these locations can range vastly in size, from insignificantly small to around the size of a bowling ball. It is around this size that they will definitely be causing a problem.
When any type of fibroid reaches a certain size, it will cause unusually heavy menstrual periods. This is a condition called menorrhagia. This can be inconvenient for a woman, but it is not dangerous. It is when the fibroids start causing pain and other symptoms that they become a problem. Large fibroids developing outside of the uterus can put pressure on surrounding organs, and cause conditions such as incontinence or constipation. The weight of large fibroids and their effect on blood flow can cause pain and discomfort. Fibroids can often lead to fertility if left untreated. If someone is experiencing these symptoms, it is important that they consult their GP or gynaecologist to discuss the possibility of them having fibroids.
If a patient has fibroids that are causing them trouble, steps can be taken to deal with the problem. A hysterectomy can be performed to remove the whole womb, taking the fibroids with it.
This will prevent future development of fibroids, but is obviously not an ideal solution for many women who wish to have children. The fibroids can often be removed individually using lasers or hot wires. The tumours are removed and the tissue sealed because of the heat. This procedure is effective when it comes to removing fibroids, but it won’t prevent fibroids from developing again, and it can sometimes cause infertility as a result of the surgery.