Up to 70% of women could experience fibroids at some point during their childbearing years.
What are uterine fibroids?
Fibroids are quite common and between 20 to 70% of women will develop fibroids between the ages of 15 and 50 years of age. 99% of fibroids are harmless.
Women experiencing menstrual cramping, pains and heavy periods, who have fibroids as a cause may discuss fibroids treatment with us as an option to improve their well-being and quality of life.
At Lotus Medics we are able to offer our fibroids treatments to patients in Orange, Parkes and Bathurst. Read on for more information.
Fibroids are non-cancerous growths that occur in the uterus. They are also called uterine leiomyomas or myomas. Fibroids can vary in size, with some as small as an apple seed and others as large as a grapefruit. They can also occur singly or in groups.
While fibroids are not cancerous, they can cause a number of uncomfortable and hard-to-live-with symptoms.
Signs you may have fibroids
Most women with fibroids do not experience any signs or symptoms, but for those who do, the most common symptom is heavy bleeding during menstruation.
Fibroids can also cause:
- Pain and pressure in the pelvis
- Urinary frequency
- Constipation or altered bowel habits
- Painful periods
- Pain during sex
- Lower backache or leg pain
- Heavy or abnormal menstrual bleeding
In some cases, fibroids can make it difficult to become pregnant or can lead to miscarrying a pregnancy.
The cause and risk factors of fibroids
Fibroids occur when the smooth muscle cells in the uterus grow abnormally. The exact cause of this is unknown, but it is thought to be influenced by the following factors:
- Hormones: like estrogen. Fibroids are more common in women who are of childbearing age, as estrogen levels are highest during this time in their lives.
- Genetic changes: fibroids contain genes that are different from typical uterine muscles cells
- Other growth factors: substances like insulin-like growth factors, may affect the growth of fibroids.
Other risk factors for fibroids include obesity, a family history of fibroids, and certain ethnicities. African American women are more likely to develop fibroids than Caucasian women.
If you are experiencing painful and heavy periods it may be due to having fibroids.
Uterine fibroid treatment options
The treatment for fibroids depends on the symptoms they are causing. If the fibroids are small and not causing any symptoms, no treatment may be necessary. If the fibroids are causing symptoms, there are a number of treatment options available, including medication, surgery, and interventional radiology
The treatment best suited for you will depend on age, type, location and size of the fibroid/s, fertility status and nature of symptoms.
Fibroid Removal Surgery
If the fibroids are causing severe symptoms, uterine fibroids surgery may be recommended. There are a number of different surgical procedures that can be used to remove fibroids, including a hysterectomy (removal of the uterus) or a myomectomy (removal of the fibroids).
Surgery is usually only recommended if other treatment options have failed or if the fibroids are very large or are affecting fertility.
If you are considering surgery to remove your fibroids, it is important to discuss all of your options with your doctor. Although minimal, there are risks associated with any surgery, and these will need to be weighed before proceeding with any surgical procedure.
After surgery, you will need to take it easy for a few weeks to allow your body to recover. You may experience some side effects, such as pain and bleeding, but these should improve over time.
Uterine artery embolisation is another procedure that can be used to shrink fibroids.
Medication
There are a number of different medications that can be used to treat fibroids, including hormonal birth control, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists, and progesterone.
Hormonal birth control can help to shrink fibroids and relieve symptoms like heavy bleeding. GnRH agonists can also help to shrink fibroids, but they can have side effects like hot flashes and bone loss.
Progesterone can help to relieve symptoms like heavy bleeding
If medication is not effective in treating fibroids, surgery may be an option. Surgery can be used to remove the fibroids or to block the blood supply to the fibroids so that they shrink. Depending on the location and size of the fibroids, surgery can be done laparoscopically(camera in your abdomen) or hysteroscopically (camera in your womb), which are both options for minimally invasive surgery, or it can be done open(laparotomy), which is a more invasive surgery.
Surgery can have risks like pain and bleeding, injury to visceral organs and clots in legs/lungs, so it is important to discuss all of the risks and benefits with a doctor before deciding if surgery is the right option.
Another treatment for fibroids is magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound surgery (MRgFUS). This is a non-invasive procedure that uses ultrasound waves to heat and destroys the fibroids. MRgFUS has been found to be effective in reducing the size of fibroids and relieving symptoms. There are few side effects associated with this procedure, and it can be done on an outpatient basis.
Uterine fibroids are treatable if you are suffering from fibroids, it’s important to seek medical treatment to improve your well-being and quality of life.
Cost of fibroid treatment in Orange, Bathurst, and Parkes
The cost of fibroids treatments at our Orange, Parkes and Bathurst practices depends on your unique condition, the cause and the specific type of surgery recommended.
At your initial consultation, a thorough examination will be done to determine the best course of treatment.
Dr Kotasthane will walk you through your options when it comes to:
- Consultation costs
- Additional test costs
- Surgery costs
- Laparoscopy costs (if necessary)
Please do not hesitate to contact us for more information on our pricing. You can also visit our costs page on our website for more information.
How Lotus Medics can help with fibroids treatment
At Lotus Medics, we always put the safety and well-being of our patients first and foremost. We know that every woman is unique, with unique symptoms and causes, and we offer customised treatment plans.
Dr Sachin Kotasthane has extensive experience in performing hysterectomy surgery for women with severe uterine issues.
Meet Dr Sachin Kotasthane
Dr Sachin Kotasthane, due to his experience and training, is able to offer comprehensive care for women that may require fibroids treatment. As an is an experienced Obstetrician and Gynaecologist who trained in the UK across various specialised skills, including advanced Laparoscopy, Urogynaecology, Pelvic Ultrasound, High-risk Obstetrics and Menopause Management, you will be in good hands.
He also worked as a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist in Glasgow, and then moved to Orange NSW and is now able to offer world-class women’s health advice, services and procedures.
Where to find fibroids treatment
in Orange, Parkes and Bathurst?
We are conveniently located at the following physical locations.
Please contact us to book a consultation at the practice closest to you.
Orange
Bloomfield Medical Campus, Level 2/1521 Forest Rd, Orange NSW 2800
Bathurst Specialist Centre
Bathurst Specialist Centre, Building 1470, Panorama Ave, Charles Sturt University, Bathurst NSW 2795
Parkes
Ochre Health Medical Centre 335 Clarinda St, Parkes NSW 2870
Frequently Asked Questions
If you require more information on fibroids treatment please read our most frequently asked questions.
Should you still have more questions here after please feel free to contact us for more clarification.
Does a gynaecologist treat fibroids?
Yes, a gynaecologist is one of the doctors that you would consult when seeking treatment for fibroids.
At what size do fibroids need to be removed?
Fibroid can be removed at any size, from a size similar to a grape or as big as a grapefruit, it depends largely on the type, location and size of fibroids, fertility status and severity of the symptoms being experienced.
Is heavy menstrual bleeding a sign of fibroids?
A heavy menstrual cycle can be a sign of several gynaecological issues, fibroids being one of them.
How long does it take to recover from fibroids treatment?
Recovery will depend on the type of treatment received. Recovery from surgery can take 4 to 6 weeks.
Does Medicare cover fibroids treatment?
Medicare does cover fibroid treatments in most cases, and depending on the treatment options, your doctor can provide this information.
At what age can a woman start getting fibroids?
A woman can start developing fibroids as young as in her 20s or 30s, but they are mostly benign.
PLEASE NOTE: This information is not intended to be used for diagnosis or treatment. It is aimed at presenting a perspective only and is not a substitute for a prescription. Anyone experiencing a medical condition should consult their doctor. A second opinion is also encouraged.
How to schedule an appointment
for fibroids treatment
Book your initial consultation with Lotus Medics by calling us at 1300 3LOTUS (1300 356887), or emailing us at info@lotusmedics.com.au.
You can also book online via our online form.
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