Fibroids

Fibroids are benign growths of the muscle that makes up the womb. They are very common and may be present in up to 40% of women in the UK.

Overview

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What are fibroids?

Fibroids are benign growths of the muscle that makes up the womb. They are very common and may be present in up to 40% of women in the UK. In at least half of these women fibroids will not cause any symptoms and do not require treatment.

It is still not known what causes fibroids to form but it is likely to be a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

Different types of fibroids

Submucosal fibroids: these are fibroids that project into the cavity of the womb and are particularly associated with heavy periods and miscarriage or difficulty conceiving.

Intramural fibroids: these fibroids are deep in the muscular wall of the womb and may be associated with heavy bleeding or pressure symptoms.

Subserosal and serosal fibroids: the serosa is the surface of the womb and these types of fibroids are just below or on the surface respectively and are most likely to cause pressure symptoms.

Pedunculated fibroids: these fibroids are attached to the surface of the womb by a stalk and can cause pain (if they twist on their stalk) and/or pressure symptoms.

Extra-uterine fibroids: this is extremely rare but fibroids may be in other sites within the pelvis without any attachment to the womb

Symptoms of fibroids

Symptoms typically include heavy periods and pressure symptoms. In some cases fibroids may be implicated in pregnancy or fertility problems.

Symptoms and treatment options depend on the position, number and size of fibroids.

Diagnosing fibroids

Fibroids may be diagnosed when you are examined by a doctor or typically visualised by ultrasound scan. In some cases it may be helpful to arrange an MRI scan which can give additional information when trying to decide the most appropriate treatment option.

Treating fibroids

Small fibroids that are not causing symptoms should not be treated but can be monitored by ultrasound scan or change in symptoms to ensure that they are not growing rapidly. In women with heavy periods simple drug treatments such as the contraceptive pill or a UTI may improve symptoms but will not influence the size of the fibroids. Although there are drugs that can shrink fibroids, this is only a temporary effect as treatment is limited by significant side-effects and following therapy the fibroids rapidly return to pre-treatment size.

A surgical approach can be advised, and this ensures that the fibroids are physically removed.


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Condition overview
Fibroids

Types

Submucosal, intramural…

Symptoms

Heavy periods, pressure symptoms

Tests

Ultrasound, MRI

Treatment

Contraceptive pill, surgery

Fibroids Specialists

We have brought together a group of leading gynaecologists and breast specialists to form our Women’s Health team. With over 200 years of combined experience, these expert clinicians are the best in their field and are all focused on delivering the very best patient care.

Professor Dame Lesley Regan

Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist

Specialist expertise: Recurrent Miscarriage, Uterine Fibroids, General Gynaecology, Gynaecology, Obstetrics, Early Pregnancy Care, Early Pregnancy Assessment, Menopause.

Mr Tariq Miskry

Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist

Specialist expertise: Fibroids, Laparoscopic Procedures (Keyhole Surgery), Endometriosis, Ovarian Cysts, Hysteroscopic Surgery for Heavy Periods, Gynaecology, Obstetrics, Endometriosis Surgery, Endometrial Ablation, Pelvic Pain, Abnormal Periods, Endometriosis Fibroids, Hysteroscopic Surgery.

Mr Tom Setchell

Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist

Specialist expertise: Fibroids, Endometriosis, Minimally Invasive Surgery, Gynaecology, Obstetrics, Early Pregnancy Care, Gynaecological Surgery, General Gynaecology, Hysteroscopic Surgery, Cervical Smear, Adenomyosis, Abnormal Periods, Pelvic Pain, Ovarian Cysts, Heavy Periods, Benign Complex Gynaecology.

Mr Tom Holland

Consultant Gynaecologist

Specialist expertise: Emergency Gynaecology, Gynaecological Ultrasound, Minimally Invasive Surgery, Gynaecology, Early Pregnancy Assessment, Endometriosis, Fibroids, Ovarian Cysts.

Ms Eleni Mavrides

Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist

Specialist expertise: Pelvic Disorders (Including Gynaecological Pain), Endometriosis, Fibroids, Laparoscopic Procedures (Keyhole Surgery), Pelvic Ultrasound, Gynaecology, Obstetrics, Gynaecological Surgery, Gynaecological Ultrasound, Abnormal Periods, Pelvic Pain, Ovarian Screening.

Ms Claudine Domoney

Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist

Specialist expertise: Colposcopy, General Gynaecology, Urogynecology, Obstetrics, Menopause.

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