The more I learn about fibroids the more fascinating I find the subject.
Fibroid pain can be difficult to diagnose. With fibroids you may experience pelvic pain, discomfort or heaviness. Fibroids may also cause lower abdominal pain, low back pain, hip pain, groin pain or pain in the upper legs. How do you make a correct diagnosis of fibroids?
Fibroids are often present without symptoms (instead of causing fibroid pain or heavy periods). They may therefore be diagnosed during a routine pelvic examination or when an ultrasound is carried out for another reason, e.g. during pregnancy.
An ultrasound can be used to diagnose fibroids and also rule out other causes of pain or symptoms. A trans-vaginal scan may be used to diagnose fibroids. It involves inserting a small ultrasound scanner probe into the vagina to obtain a clearer image of the uterus. This is useful if fibroid pain is suspected.
It may be possible to see vaginal fibroids directly or uterine fibroids that are close to the mucosa (inner lining) of the womb (intramural fibroids), and those within the cavity of your uterus (sub mucosal fibroids) with a hysteroscope. A hysteroscope is a small telescope used to examine the inside of your womb. This is a useful investigation for fibroid pain.
Sometimes laparoscopy is performed as one of the investigations for fibroid pain. A laparoscope is a flexible, thin endoscope with a light on the end that is used to look inside the abdominal cavity. It may also be used to examine the shape, size and appearance of the outside of the uterus.
During a laparoscopy it is useful to be able to take a tissue sample (biopsy) of the inside lining or the outer layer of the womb or uterus fibroid. This tissue sample is then sent to the laboratory for close microscopic examination to make a precise tissue diagnosis. This is important in the differential diagnosis of fibroids. Fibroids on the uterus are easy to see with a laparoscope.
Use of MRI scanning: Sometimes, particularly if fibroids are very large, more information is necessary. An MRI scan provides detailed images of the uterus. It will indicate the location and position of the fibroids which are resulting in fibroid pain. An MRI can usually tell the difference between adenomyosis and fibroids.
Adenomyosis is one of the most common conditions confused with fibroids when fibroid pain is present. This is a serious error, as the treatment may be quite different. Adenomyosis is a different disease in which the lining of the uterus infiltrates the wall of the womb. This causes the uterine wall to thicken and the uterus to enlarge. The result may be severe uterine pain similar to fibroid pain, and heavy uterine bleeding.
The advantage of MRI scanning is that the exact type, size and position of the fibroids causing fibroid pain can be seen, as well as the size of the uterus or womb. In addition to adenomyosis other diseases can be diagnosed such as endometriosis. In endometriosis the tissue lining the uterus is present outside the uterus. Endometriosis leads to pain and infertilty.
Once a diagnosis of fibroids has been made then a decision needs to be made whether to treat or not.
Fibroids are benign tumours (not cancerous) and often require no treatment.
Please see this website for further information about fibroids and fibroid pain: http://www.fibroidpain.org
Dr David Sutton MBBS; MRCP; MRCGP. Website about fibroids and the natural treatment of fibroids: http://www.fibroidpain.org
Fibroids can be treated without surgery or strong medications. It is possible to cure fibroids naturally.
Fibroid pain can be difficult to diagnose. With fibroids you may experience pelvic pain, discomfort or heaviness. Fibroids may also cause lower abdominal pain, low back pain, hip pain, groin pain or pain in the upper legs. How do you make a correct diagnosis of fibroids?
Fibroids are often present without symptoms (instead of causing fibroid pain or heavy periods). They may therefore be diagnosed during a routine pelvic examination or when an ultrasound is carried out for another reason, e.g. during pregnancy.
An ultrasound can be used to diagnose fibroids and also rule out other causes of pain or symptoms. A trans-vaginal scan may be used to diagnose fibroids. It involves inserting a small ultrasound scanner probe into the vagina to obtain a clearer image of the uterus. This is useful if fibroid pain is suspected.
It may be possible to see vaginal fibroids directly or uterine fibroids that are close to the mucosa (inner lining) of the womb (intramural fibroids), and those within the cavity of your uterus (sub mucosal fibroids) with a hysteroscope. A hysteroscope is a small telescope used to examine the inside of your womb. This is a useful investigation for fibroid pain.
Sometimes laparoscopy is performed as one of the investigations for fibroid pain. A laparoscope is a flexible, thin endoscope with a light on the end that is used to look inside the abdominal cavity. It may also be used to examine the shape, size and appearance of the outside of the uterus.
During a laparoscopy it is useful to be able to take a tissue sample (biopsy) of the inside lining or the outer layer of the womb or uterus fibroid. This tissue sample is then sent to the laboratory for close microscopic examination to make a precise tissue diagnosis. This is important in the differential diagnosis of fibroids. Fibroids on the uterus are easy to see with a laparoscope.
Use of MRI scanning: Sometimes, particularly if fibroids are very large, more information is necessary. An MRI scan provides detailed images of the uterus. It will indicate the location and position of the fibroids which are resulting in fibroid pain. An MRI can usually tell the difference between adenomyosis and fibroids.
Adenomyosis is one of the most common conditions confused with fibroids when fibroid pain is present. This is a serious error, as the treatment may be quite different. Adenomyosis is a different disease in which the lining of the uterus infiltrates the wall of the womb. This causes the uterine wall to thicken and the uterus to enlarge. The result may be severe uterine pain similar to fibroid pain, and heavy uterine bleeding.
The advantage of MRI scanning is that the exact type, size and position of the fibroids causing fibroid pain can be seen, as well as the size of the uterus or womb. In addition to adenomyosis other diseases can be diagnosed such as endometriosis. In endometriosis the tissue lining the uterus is present outside the uterus. Endometriosis leads to pain and infertilty.
Once a diagnosis of fibroids has been made then a decision needs to be made whether to treat or not.
Fibroids are benign tumours (not cancerous) and often require no treatment.
Please see this website for further information about fibroids and fibroid pain: http://www.fibroidpain.org
Dr David Sutton MBBS; MRCP; MRCGP. Website about fibroids and the natural treatment of fibroids: http://www.fibroidpain.org
Fibroids can be treated without surgery or strong medications. It is possible to cure fibroids naturally.
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