Month: September 2015

Vitamin D Therapy for Fibroids

Fibroid Network

Vitamin D & Fibroids

Vitamin D deficiency has been identified as a Risk Factor for the development of fibroids. It has been suggested that Vitamin D therapy could be a new strategy for the prevention and/or treatment of fibroids. Or as a treatment used alongside existing strategies, to help to improve outcomes.

Studies are continuing to establish whether Fibroids can be caused and treated by lifestyle and/or Diet adjustments.

Uterine fibroids are the most common benign tumors affecting the health of women of reproductive age. Researchers previously underestimated the prevalence in society , of the condition. The prevalence of Uterine Fibroids is reported to be as high as 70% in Caucasian women and up to 80% of Black Women . Continue reading

Fibroids & Fertility

Fibroid Network

Do you have Fibroids and want to get Pregnant?

Info about Fibroids Pregnancy Fertility
Fibroids do not affect your fertility. Infertility is currently defined as the inability to become pregnant, without contraception,  after regular, unprotected sex for over a year. Many women have fibroids & sometimes only discover them during pregnancy, and still go on to have healthy babies. Fibroids are very common in women , between 50-80% of women will develop them by the age of 50. Some people will have tiny pea size fibroids, some can have melon size fibroids. 50% of women will have no symptoms from fibroids , irrespective of their size.

There has been research on fibroids & fertility, which confirms that women with fibroids are as fertile as the average woman of their age in society. After myomectomy , the chances of pregnancy for a woman under 35 is up to 75% . Women’s ability to maintain a pregnancy (if they had , had problems before) increased after Myomectomy.

FORESIGHT CHARITY Online also provides information on Preconception Health Programmes which assists with information on improving overall health before trying for a baby. With up to date research on Endocrine Disruptors, which may affect Fertility.

Twins after Open Myomectomy Update

Fibroid Network

The first part of my fibroid story in a BBC article online “I had an 11lb fibroid removed successfully” by Open myomectomy (Laparotomy) , Click here to Read my BBC News item online. I was  a patient Representative on the 2007 CG44 Heavy Menstrual Bleeding Guideline for NICE (National Institute of Clinical Excellence) which produces the Guidelines for the UK NHS, so that we could finally get access to more effective treatments for this condition. We were contacted by 1,000’s of women who suffered from Heavy Menstrual Bleeding & Fibroids.  ,  I participated in creating a UK Guideline for Drs & Patients to help people who suffered from both these conditions. . Thank you to all the Members of Parliament & Womens Organisations who supported us , to help women get Informed, Patient Choice .

After this article was published I went on to have twins, without IVF.

Bridgette York,

Fibroid Network

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Twitter: Worldwide Fibroid Network @fibroidinfo

UK Fibroid Network @fibroidsupport

What are Fibroids?

Fibroid Network

Fibroids are benign (non-cancerous) tumours. They occur in the uterus (womb). The womb is a hollow, pear shaped muscle.

Women worldwide have been faced with the unexpected news that they have fibroids. Most women have never heard of them prior to their diagnosis. For a woman the idea of a tumour occupying their womb is frightening especially in the absence of information about this benign problem. Some women feel a mixture of emotions, they are sometimes scared, sometimes embarrassed to discuss it with friends & family. Unfortunately the lack of information leads women to accept a hysterectomy (removal of the womb) for this treatable condition.

For reasons that are currently being researched, a single muscle cell in the uterus may begin to grow & multiply rapidly. The resulting tumour is called a fibroid. (The word ‘tumour’ often evokes fear because it is commonly associated with cancer, but ‘tumour’ in medical terminology simply means “new growth” or overgrowth of cells). The medical term for them is Leiomyomata (Leio= smooth myo=muscle). They are also called uterine myomas, fibromyomas or leiomyomas. Their size can vary. Some are microscopic or the same size as a pea and some can be as big as a melon. Fibroids can increase in size, decrease in size or even go away with time. They can occur anywhere in the womb and are named according to where they grow: Continue reading

NHS help for Heavy Periods

Fibroid Network

Nice Guideline HMB
The NHS NICE (National Institue for Clinical Excellence) Heavy Menstrual bleeding guideline (HMB) Guideline – CG44 was published in 2007. The HMB Patient Guide to Treating Heavy Periods is available for FREE download here:

CLICK HERE TO VIEW The Patients Guide to Treatments

You can read & search the FULL HMB Guideline HERE

CLICK HERE for the FREE DOWNLOAD of the full , Evidence based 2007 UK Heavy Menstrual Bleeding (HMB) GUIDELINE for Patients & NHS Healthcare Providers: with full research & evidence on treating Heavy Periods including recommended Drug Treatments & Surgery with or without Fibroids Published January 2007 . Please note that this Guideline is being reviewed with a current target date of March 2016, particularly in respect of medical Treatments for Fibroids.

HMB Guideline Updates:
The Guideline wishes practitioners & patients to be aware that ‘Oral progestogen (norethisterone)which was previously recommended , is not licensed for use as a contraceptive, but may affect a woman’s ability to become pregnant while it is being taken. This is one of a number of treatments , due for review. Please see website

Patient Feedback Post 2007 HMB Guideline

From a patients perspective, we would also want an urgent NHS review of all medical & surgical treatments, including Hormonal Contraceptives & Mirena , which are now being used as treatment for Menorrhagia & Fibroids. We have received Patient feedback, that Women with Fibroids are not being given full informed choice of treatments available , including Uterine Fibroid Embolisation & Myomectomy in situations where it is recommended in the guideline.

Women have told us that they are only being offered Medical treatments or Hysterectomy. They have also stated that they have not been given written information about their Menorrhagia (Heavy Periods) or Fibroids, and the full rage of options available, to assist in their decision making. They have also not been advised of the Risks & benefits of the Medical Treatments & Hormonal Contraceptives offered. And they have not been told that if they have relief from symptoms, using medical treatments, the relief only lasts as long as the medical treatment is being taken & the symptoms are likely to resume if medical treatment is discontinued.

We have also had feedback that even where further fertility is not desired by a woman, Doctors are not considering some patients desires , not to be given a premature surgical menopause by having a Hysterectomy (Womb Removal). Continue reading