Category: Research

Uterine Artery Embolisation, UAE for Fibroids Video

Fibroid Network

Uterine Artery Embolisation of Fibroids is a treatment carried out by a Radiologist , which is minimal surgery for Fibroids. A Specialist Radiologist , uses a substance to block the blood supply to the fibroids , so that it shrinks. This is a procedure that has been available in the UK on the NHS & privately. Women have experienced substantial shrinkage of their fibroids & relief from symptoms such as Heavy Periods (Menorrhagia, AUB) & pain. There have also been pregnancies after embolisation. Initially it was trialled on older women who didn’t wish to conceive , however younger women worldwide are now using the procedure & achieving pregnancy and therefore avoiding Hysterectomy (womb removal).

Dr Woodruff Walker, the leading Fibroid Embolisation specialist in the UK, has informative videos &  a website at http://www.fibroids.co.uk CLICK HERE

View the videos here:

Continue reading

Comment on Femme Fibroid Trial UK Clinical Trial comparing Myomectomy with Embolisation & Fertility

Fibroid Network

Femme Study

UK Clinical randomised trial of treating fibroids with either embolisation or myomectomy to measure the effect on quality of life among women wishing to avoid hysterectomy (womb removal) (the FEMME study)

The Trial was to compare the outcomes of Myomectomy vs Embolization to find which treatment has the best effect on women’s quality of life & if desired, pregnancy outcomes. This Trial is complete but it has now become apparent that the now recalled drug, Esmya, Ulipristal Acetate (From Gedeon Richter) was used in this Trial Continue reading

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

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

Italian researchers have found a link between fibroids & diet

Ele

An Fibroid Study in Italy found that fibroids were more common in women who ate beef and ham frequently, and less common in women who ate more green vegetables & fruit had a lower risk of fibroids. Abstract of the Medical Paper Objective: To analyze the relation between selected dietary indicators and the risk of uterine myomas. Methods: They used data from a case-control study on risk factors for uterine myomas conducted in Italy between 1986 and 1997. Cases included 843 women with uterine myomas whose clinical diagnoses dated back no more than 2 years. Controls were 1557 women younger than age 55 who had not had hysterectomies and were admitted for acute nongynecologic, nonhormonal, nonneoplastic conditions. Results: Women with uterine myomas reported more frequent consumption of beef, other red meat, and ham and less frequent consumption of green vegetables, fruit, and fish. The multivariate odds ratios in the upper tertile were 1.7 for beef and other red meat (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.4, 2.2), 1.3 for ham (95% CI 1.0, 1.6), 0.5 for green vegetables (95% CI 0.4, 0.6), and 0.8 for fruit consumption (95% CI 0.6, 1.0). Parazzini, MD Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche “Mario Negri” Francesca Chiaffarino ScD, Fabio Parazzini MD, Carlo La Vecchia MD, Liliane Chatenoud ScD, Elisabetta Di Cintio ScD and Silvia Marsico MD “Diet and uterine myomas” Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche “Mario Negri,” Milan; and the Prima Clinica Ostetrico Ginecologica and Istituto di Statistica Medica e Biometria, University of Milan, Milan, Italy Alcohol especially Beer is also a Risk Factor for Fibroids . This Study involved 22,000 women.

References

  • Chiaffarino F1, Parazzini F, La Vecchia C, Chatenoud L, Di Cintio E, Marsico S. Diet and uterine myomas. Obstet Gynecol. 1999 Sep;94(3):395-8. PMID: 10472866.