What you need to know about uterine fibroids and how to recognize them

dossier

Women are told more than once that pain or leakage during our period is ‘normal’, that it is ‘part of the game’. But that’s not the case at all. There is a chance that those symptoms indicate a uterine fibroid. The best news? There are just treatments for it. We asked the five most important questions about uterine fibroids for you to Prof. Dr. Jasper Verguts, gynecologist and specialist in uterine fibroids.

1. What is a Uterine Fibroma?

Jasper Verguts: “A uterine fibroid or myoma is a benign tumour. That word sounds creepy, but it’s nothing more than a meat ball in the uterine muscle. Uterine fibroids grow an average of 1 to 2 cm per year and are very common. No less than 1 in 2 women will get it at some point in their lives, but fortunately only a third of them experience complaints.”

2. What are the symptoms?

Jasper Verguts: “Most women experience no complaints at all if they have a uterine fibroid. But because such a uterine fibroid grows, it can start to press on organs such as the bladder or intestines from a certain size. As a result, you may have to urinate more often or you may experience bowel movement problems. Abdominal pain is also a well-known symptom. If a uterine fibroid grows on the inside of the uterine cavity, it can also cause heavy or prolonged periods.”

3. How much pain or bleeding is ‘too much’?

Jasper Verguts: “Usually your period should not last longer than 7 days. Does your period last longer? Then that is usually ‘too long’. Moreover, on the heaviest days of your period you should not need more than 8 sanitary napkins per day. If you continue to leak, your blood loss is ‘too intense’. And that pain? A little tenderness in your abdomen during menstruation is normal because the uterus is a muscle. The contraction of that muscle can acidify and cause abdominal pain. Severe pain and too much blood loss are therefore certainly not normal and can have an impact on the woman’s quality of life.”

4. What should I do if my periods are bothering me?

Jasper Verguts: “First of all, contact your doctor. They will most likely refer you to a gynecologist for an ultrasound of the uterus.”

5. I have a uterine fibroid. What now?

Jasper Verguts: “Normally, a uterine fibroid can be left in place, but if the symptoms are too bad, fortunately there are various treatments. Surgery is a possibility, but often pills (both hormonal and non-hormonal) can also relieve many symptoms (such as pain and heavy blood loss). Discuss the different options with a specialist. You are not alone and you certainly don’t have to keep walking with it!”

Do you have any questions? surf to womentalkingfibroids.be/nl for more information about treatment options.

With the support of Gedeon Richter.

2023-038-BENL, date of creation 01/2023