They can be as small as a grape or as large as a cantaloupe, and in some cases even bigger. Uterine fibroids — non-cancerous tumours that grow spontaneously inside the wall of the uterus — are also profoundly common, with about 70 per cent of women developing them before the age of 50, according to the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada . About one-third of those people will develop symptoms such as heavy menstrual bleeding and pain that can be debilitating and have major impacts on all aspects of their life.
But new technology is providing more treatment options that are promising less pain, a faster recovery and the potential to preserve fertility. "Fibroids are a significant source of health burden, discomfort and they have an impact on quality of life for so many people" said Dr. Cindy Maxwell, an obstetrician and gynecologist and vice-president of medical affairs at Women's College Hospital in Toronto.
Symptoms can vary, but heavy menstrual bleeding, pain, urinary problems, pelvic pressure, pressure on the bladder, anemia and bloating are some of the key issues patients often deal with. "We don't tend to find out about the fibroids until people have reached a stage where they have such symptoms that they require medical attention," said Maxwell. Fibroids also can affect fertility and cause issues getting pregnant or threaten the ability to carry a pregnancy, especially in the early stages, she said.
Options to treat fibroids have ranged from hormonal medica.