The various different types of fibroids usually develop during a woman’s reproductive years, around the age of 16 to 50, when oestrogen levels are at their highest. — Dr S. SELVA
Uterine fibroids are a common condition that affects up to 80% of women in their lifetime.
Nearly half of those women will experience symptoms that affect their quality of life and fertility, including severe pain and anaemia.
Uterine fibroids are the major reason for the removal of the uterus by hysterectomy.
However, researchers at Mayo Clinic recommend minimally invasive treatment alternatives to hysterectomy, in an invited clinical practice paper published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
“Less invasive treatments can help women recover faster and resume their normal activities more quickly.
“Additionally, many studies have now shown that there are health benefits to keeping the uterus and the ovaries,” says Mayo clinic obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr Shannon Laughlin-Tommaso, and co-lead author of the paper.
Removing the uterus, even while sparing the ovaries, increases the risks of cardiovascular disease, depression, anxiety and higher mortality.
These risks are higher for people who get their uteruses removed at a young age.
“Women contemplating a hysterectomy deserve counselling about these risks since there are other less invasive options for many women with fibroids,” Dr Laughlin-Tommaso says.
A recent study found that nearly 60% of women undergoing hysterectomy for fibroids had not received a less invasive treatment first.
Having alternative options to hysterectomy allow women to maintain their uteruses for longer.
These alternatives include medical therapies, hormone- releasing intrauterine devices (IUDs), radiofrequency ablation, focused ultrasound ablation and uterine artery embolisation.
Early detection is key
When fibroids are found early, they tend to be smaller and less extensive.
As a result, treating them early is medically less complicated.
The incidence of fibroids increases with age until menopause and is higher among Black women. In addition, this population often presents with more severe fibroids.
“Earlier diagnosis and treatment of uterine fibroids can help reduce this health disparity among Black women,” says Dr Ebbie Stewart, co-lead author and Mayo Clinic gynaecologist and reproductive endocrinologist.
In survey-based studies, many Black patients preferred minimally invasive therapies over hysterectomies.
Diagnosing fibroids is straightforward with a pelvic ultrasound but determining who to screen is not, and screening usually occurs after the fibroids are large or the patients are symptomatic.
Many women with symptomatic fibroids have reported psychological suffering, including depression, concern, anger and body image distress.
The researchers suggest that future studies should include screening younger women, particularly young Black women, and people with a strong family health history of fibroids to determine if early treatment reduces long-term risks.
Why a hysterectomy?
Hysterectomies have been the most common treatment for uterine fibroids for several reasons.
“Hysterectomy makes decision-making easier for medical providers and patients.
“For providers, they don’t have to determine which fibroids to treat or remove.
“Hysterectomy is also universally available in obstetrics and gynaecology practices,” explains Dr Laughlin-Tommaso.
Additionally, concerns about inadvertently missing a rare cancer that grows in the smooth muscle of the uterus, known as leiomyosarcoma, has led to an increased rate of hysterectomies over less invasive approaches.
Lastly, a major reason for hysterectomy is that fibroids can recur about 50% of the time within five years after they are removed.
However, the researchers note that not all new fibroids will become symptomatic, especially among women entering menopause. – Mayo Clinic News Network/Tribune News Service
