Have you been searching for a gynaecologist able to offer a range of various different services? Greenslopes Gynaecology gives our patients several choices in services, proudly providing an all-encompassing gynaecologist office in Brisbane. Just one of many is our fibroids surgery and treatment.
What are fibroids?
Fibroids are essentially a lump of muscle forming within the wall of the uterus. They are mostly benign (non-cancerous) but can become malignant (cancerous) in around 1:1000 cases.
How common are they?
They affect 40% of women over the age of 40 and are often only quite small (1-2 cm).
What problems can they cause?
The most common problems are heavy painful periods, pressure symptoms (urinary and bowel symptoms) abdominal swelling, painful intercourse, infertility.
Malignant transformation (turning into a cancer) although uncommon (1:1000) is a serious problem and may not be obvious on conventional testing such as imaging. Any increase in fibroid size after the menopause should be regarded as suspicious.
What treatment is available?
Many fibroids do not cause symptoms and can simply be observed.
When they are causing problems options include:
Surgery – Conservative surgery in the form of myomectomy is when the fibroid is excised and the uterus is conserved allowing further fertility. This can be performed laparoscopically depending on the size and position of the fibroid(s). Where fertility is not an issue and fibroids are causing problems a hysterectomy with or without the ovaries depending on age and patient wishes) may also be an option (either laparoscopically or open depending on size of the uterus).
Uterine artery Embolisation - This is performed by an interventional radiologist and involves injecting a substance designed to cut of the blood supply to the fibroid and is generally not recommended if patients wish to proceed to pregnancy in the future. Medical treatment with GNRH analogues (which induce a temporary menopausal state) such as Zoladex are only available for up to 6 months and as such are only usually utilised as a support to surgery.
Call and book an appointment
If you need surgery or treatment of fibroids in Brisbane, please speak to us at 07 3847 7879 or send through a general enquiry: https://www.greenslopesgynaecology.com/contact-us#general-enquiry