July marks Fibroid Awareness Month, dedicated to raising visibility and understanding of uterine fibroids, the most common benign or non-cancerous tumours of the uterus that may be present in up to 50% of women by age 50 though in most cases not requiring any specific treatment or surgery.
Fibroids may cause heavy periods that can be debilitating, may result in pain or bulk and pressure symptoms such as bladder pressure symptoms and urinary frequency. The may also be associated with fertility issues including recurrent miscarriages. There may be a family history of uterine fibroids and there are ethnic differences with black African and Caribbean populations having a significantly higher incidence.
While medications may manage and control some of the symptoms and associated heavy periods hysterectomy remains the most common surgery performed for uterine fibroids. Uterine artery embolisation (UAE) also know and Uterine fibroid embolisation (UFE) as offered by Dr. Crowe in Birmingham and London is a minimally invasive option which aims to shrink rather than physically remove the fibroids by depriving them of a blood supply. The procedure can preserve future fertility and allows early return to work and to normal activities.
