Singapore Vascular and Interventional Centre

Why you might need fibroids treatment, Singapore.

WHAT ARE UTERINE FIBROIDS?

Uterine fibroids are a common condition among women. It occurs when benign or non-cancerous tumours develop in the uterus. In fact, by the age of 35, 40-50% of women have had uterine fibroids at some point in their lives. If that is you, we, the Vascular and Interventional Centre, are here for you! There is nothing to worry about as there are effective and established methods for treating and removing these uterine fibroids. Also, these growths are very rarely cancerous, with only one in 350 people having uterine fibroids that transform into a malignant or cancerous tumors.[8] The risk is therefore low and your condition can usually be treated easily with uterine fibroid embolisation (UFE, Singapore).

More specifically, uterine fibroids are excess growths from the myometrium, which is the muscular tissue of the uterus. Most of the time, the growth of uterine fibroids is stimulated by the female hormone oestrogen. There are many different variations to the way uterine fibroids can appear, either as a single fibroid or as a cluster consisting of multiple fibroids. As such, the size, location and number of fibroids in your uterus is never fixed,[2] so treatment options have to be considered on a case to case basis, tailored to your situation and symptoms. There are a few common symptoms that you could be aware of, as indicators that you may have uterine fibroids. For example, excessive and painful bleeding during menstruation (menorrhagia), lower back pain, bloating, constipation, and frequent urination.

TYPES OF UTERINE FIBROIDS

There are 5 main types of uterine fibroids, namely intracavity, intramural, pedunculated, submucosal and subserosal, as seen in the image below.[5] Depending on their location and type, fibroids can cause different symptoms.

[7]

• Intracavitary fibroids: these uterine fibroids have grown almost completely into the uterine cavity. Because of their position, intracavitary uterine fibroids tend to be associated with infertility, by physically blocking sperm as it travels to the fallopian tubes.

• Intramural fibroids: these uterine fibroids are found within the walls of the uterus. This type of uterine fibroids is the most harmless to your body. Because they do not act as physical barriers for fertilisation or implantation within the uterine cavity, their effect on fertility is quite minimal. However, like all uterine fibroids, they require a blood supply to keep growing, and hence the circulation of blood around the uterus is affected to sustain the growth of these uterine fibroids. This blood supply is taken from the uterine artery, which could mean that other organs supplied by the uterine artery may receive less blood. The endometrium (wall of the uterus) itself would also be less vascularised, which means fewer blood vessels would be supplying it with blood, and this could potentially affect the uterus’ ability to support a healthy pregnancy.

• Pedunculated fibroids: these uterine fibroids are either found in the uterus or outside of the uterus, attached to the uterine tissue by an elongated stalk. If these uterine fibroids are twisted because of any sudden movements you make, severe pain may be experienced.[6]

• Submucosal fibroids: these uterine fibroids grow partially into the uterine cavity from the walls of the uterus. They lie right under the lining of the uterine cavity. They can cause infertility in women in the same way that intracavitary uterine fibroids do.

• Subserosal fibroids: these are uterine fibroids that grow partially out of the uterus from the walls of the uterus, and are the most common type of uterine fibroids. These have a lesser effect on fertility, but they can cause some discomfort by placing pressure on your nerves around the area. Sometimes, they develop and stalk and become pedunculated uterine fibroids.

DIAGNOSIS OF UTERINE FIBROIDS

In order to determine whether you have uterine fibroids or not, ultrasound scans and MRIs can be used to accurately diagnose. [1]

Ultrasound scans involve soundwaves as an imaging technique to better visualise the position of uterine fibroids in your uterus.[3] A gel is first applied to your abdominal area to minimise the air spaces between the transducer (scanner) and your skin, such that a clearer image can be obtained at the end of the scan.[4] This is needed as ultrasound does not travel very well through the air, and without the gel, the final images would not be clear. This is a simple procedure that should take around 20 to 30 minutes. Alternatively, a transvaginal ultrasound may also be conducted.

MRI scans are radiation-free and involve the use of magnetic waves to visualise the pelvis and uterus. Results are more detailed than that of ultrasound scans and also involve the use of larger equipment. This procedure is completely safe and harmless, so you should not experience any discomfort at all.[6]

Your doctor will advise you on the most suitable method of diagnosis for you, such that there is minimal risk posed to your health. Always remember to consult a medical professional for confirmation of your personal health situation, and avoid self-diagnosis. Although your quality of life may not be affected by the presence of certain types of uterine fibroids, you should get them assessed regularly such that the doctor can keep track of whether the uterine fibroids are growing larger. Treatment is recommended if you start displaying symptoms and have discomfort that affects your daily activities. As mentioned earlier, fibroids treatment, Singapore, usually refers to Uterine Fibroid Embolisation (UFE, Singapore).

If you have been diagnosed and would like to receive treatment for uterine fibroids, Singapore Vascular and Interventional Centre is here for you. Feel free to book an appointment with our doctors, Dr Benjamin Chua and Dr Manish Taneja.

Contact us with the details below:

+65 6694 6270 (Call)

+65 9898 3595 (WhatsApp)

[email protected] (Email)

Novena Specialist Centre #06-08, 16-19

8 Sinaran Drive, Singapore 307470

REFERENCES

[1]https://www.nuh.com.sg/Health-Information/Diseases-Conditions/Pages/Uterine-Fibroids.aspx

[2]https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9130-uterine-fibroids

[3]https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/uterine-fibroids/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20354294

[4]https://ecovue.com/news/what-ultrasound-gel-does-to-your-patients-skin/

[5]https://www.gleneagles.com.sg/specialties/medical-specialties/women-gynaecology/uterine-fibroid

[6]https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/mri-scan/

[7] https://www.gleneagles.com.sg/specialties/medical-specialties/women-gynaecology/uterine-fibroid 

⁸ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9130-uterine-fibroids