Across all ethnic groups up to 40% of women develop fibroids during their reproductive years. Although it may be perceived as a condition that affects older women, fibroids are an issue for the 18 – 30 year old age group with 7% of white women and 26% of black women impacted. Despite its prevalence many women (and most men) do not have great awareness about fibroids and possible solutions for this
condition. For more details about fibroids including treatment options download the brochure from: www.cristazone.com. Although fibroids are not life threatening and are non-cancerous tumours, they can present women with many challenges. Many women have fibroids and are unaware of this as they do not pose any problems for them, these fibroids are considered to be asymptomatic. However, for others they can impact fertility, jeopardise pregnancy, create body image issues and cause dysfunction to the monthly cycle. There are a range of options that your clinician can signpost you for ranging from surgical solutions such as myomectomy and hysterectomy, less invasive procedures such as uterine artery embolism as well as a range of pharmaceutical options. In many instances the surgical options are presented without exploring the alternatives that may be beneficial. When faced with fibroids all treatment options should be on the table but if the woman involved is to be dealt with from a personalised perspective, careful consideration of what is required should be considered based on what is best for her. This can only be done if she has full access to what is involved with each pathway and the benefits of alternative therapy should also be part of that process too. We work closely with client’s clinicians so that the support provided is complimentary and this allows us to advocate on behalf of women that may not be knowledgeable about their position and the options open to them. Clinical professionals such as Interventional Radiologists and Gynaecologists often do not communicate with one another, which can mean that the woman involved can miss out on beneficial treatment that may be preferable to the option they end up taking. Fibroids are complex and require much more research than has been afforded them to date. However, a good deal of research has been already been done and this needs to be brought together and possibly examined from a fresh perspective so that the many women who find themselves faced with symptomatic fibroids are more empowered than they currently are.
