Fibroid Specialist Sydney
Healing Fibroids
Our Expert Team of Uterine Fibroid Specialists Are Here To Help
Fibroids are non-cancerous tumour growths that often occur in or around the uterus. They may also grow in the fallopian tubes, the cervix, or the uterine cavity. They grow due to increased blood supply, typically receiving five to seven times more than regular uterine tissue. These growths can disrupt functions within the body and cause varying ranges of discomfort.
While each case of fibroids is different, some common symptoms include heavy menstrual bleeding, pelvic pressure or pain, and frequent urination. Some sufferers with multiple fibroids have difficulty conceiving due to the size and location of the fibroids. In many cases, a woman is unaware she has fibroids until it is discovered during a routine gynaecological exam.
Overview
Uterine fibroids affect approximately 70% of women at some point in their lives[1] and this often causes heavy periods with abnormal bleeding which can lead to anaemia, fatigue, pain and pressure symptoms.
Causes
Ovarian hormone exposures and epigenetic factors are generally accepted as the cause of fibroids, however there are many other risk factors, and these are not all yet understood.[5]
Finding Solutions
Research has however identified a few things that make a difference. For example, increased blood pressure correlates with the increased risk of fibroids, due to changes in atherogenesis. [5] High cholesterol and metabolic syndrome also increase the risk of fibroids, suggesting a cardiometabolic connection.[6] Low vitamin D levels increase risk for fibroids.[7] In addition, inflammatory chemicals (cytokines) show different seasonal variance in women with and without fibroids, suggesting that a highly inflamed immune system may play a role in fibroid formation. [7]
One large-scale, longitudinal study demonstrated that exposure to high amounts of air pollution [particulate matter (PM) 2.5] correlated with an increased risk of fibroids.[11].
Heavy metals[12] persistent organic pollutants (POPs),[12,13] and possibly PCBs[13] are also correlated with uterine fibroid development. Estimates are that at least 23% of child-bearing women are exposed to three or more toxicants above the level of known safety.[14] Critical windows of exposure may affect long-term hormonal patterns, especially exposures before puberty.[15]
A significant, dose-dependent connection between hair relaxer chemicals and fibroid risk also suggests that some African-American women may be exposed to more and different chemicals than many white women.[16] This would explain American researcher that found African-American women are much more likely to develop fibroids, and to report more severe symptoms.[8,9] Adding to this connection, central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia (which primarily affects black women), and is a form of scarring alopecia on the scalp, is highly correlated with uterine fibroids, suggesting a similar underlying cause.[10]
Common Treatments
A commonly used treatment is a hysterectomy.[3] Yet it is well known that even when the ovaries are conserved, hysterectomies can greatly increase other health risks like cardiovascular and metabolic conditions, including congestive heart failure.[4]
An alternative is to modulate hormones. In one study, perioperative treatment with the progesterone receptor modulator ulipristal acetate (or UPA) resulted in 61% of women electing not to continue with surgery, as their symptoms were adequately managed.[17]
Fibroids themselves alter the expression patterns of estrogen and androgen receptors[18]. For that reason, it’s important to restore hormonal balance even after fibroids and their symptoms are adequately treated. Improving nutrition, reducing toxic load and reducing inflammation can often make a big difference.
Another option is focused ultrasound treatment. Focused ultrasound treatment is a minimally-invasive treatment option available to often help those suffering from uterine fibroids. It allows doctors to direct sound energy through the skin and into the fibroid, so the fibroids shrink.
Book a Consultation With a Fibroid Doctor Today
At Evergreen Doctors we use a holistic Functional Medicine approach and discuss with you all the treatment options. Our fibroid doctors seek to fix the true cause, and optimise your health in all areas, rather than just treat a symptom.
Looking for a fibroid specialist in Sydney? Our uterine fibroid specialists offer expert treatment and management. Contact us today to book a consultation!
References
1. Stewart EA, Cookson CL, Gandolfo RA, Schulze-Rath R. Epidemiology of uterine fibroids: a systematic review. BJOG. 2017;124(10):1501-1512. doi:10.1111/1471-0528.14640
2. Vercellini P, Frattaruolo MP. Uterine fibroids: from observational epidemiology to clinical management. BJOG. 2017;124(10):1513. doi:10.1111/1471-0528.14730
3. Borah BJ, Nicholson WK, Bradley L, Stewart EA. The impact of uterine leiomyomas: a national survey of affected women. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2013;209(4):319.e1-319.e20. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2013.07.017
4. Laughlin-Tommaso SK, Khan Z, Weaver AL, Smith CY, Rocca WA, Stewart EA. Cardiovascular and metabolic morbidity after hysterectomy with ovarian conservation: a cohort study. Menopause. 2018;25(5):483-492. doi:10.1097/GME.0000000000001043
5. Boynton-Jarrett R, Rich-Edwards J, Malspeis S, Missmer SA, Wright R. A prospective study of hypertension and risk of uterine leiomyomata. Am J Epidemiol. 2005;161(7):628-638. doi:10.1093/aje/kwi072
6. Uimari O, Auvinen J, Jokelainen J, et al. Uterine fibroids and cardiovascular risk. Hum Reprod. 2016;31(12):2689-2703. doi:10.1093/humrep/dew249
7. Wegienka G, Baird DD, Cooper T, Woodcroft KJ, Havstad S. Cytokine patterns differ seasonally between women with and without uterine leiomyomata. Am J Reprod Immunol. 2013;70(4):327-335. doi:10.1111/aji.12127
8. Commandeur AE, Styer AK, Teixeira JM. Epidemiological and genetic clues for molecular mechanisms involved in uterine leiomyoma development and growth. Hum Reprod Update. 2015;21(5):593-615. doi:10.1093/humupd/dmv030
9. Stewart EA, Nicholson WK, Bradley L, Borah BJ. The burden of uterine fibroids for African-American women: results of a national survey. J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2013;22(10):807-816. doi:10.1089/jwh.2013.4334
10. Dina Y, Okoye GA, Aguh C. Association of uterine leiomyomas with central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia. JAMA Dermatol. 2018;154(2):213-214. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2017.5163
11. Mahalingaiah S, Hart JE, Laden F, et al. Air pollution and risk of uterine leiomyomata. Epidemiology. 2014;25(5):682-688. doi:10.1097/EDE.0000000000000126
12. Qin YY, Leung CK, Leung AO, Wu SC, Zheng JS, Wong MH. Persistent organic pollutants and heavy metals in adipose tissues of patients with uterine leiomyomas and the association of these pollutants with seafood diet, BMI, and age. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2010;17(1):229-240.
13. Trabert B, Chen Z, Kannan K, et al. Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and fibroids: results from the ENDO study. J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol. 2015;25(3):278-285. doi:10.1038/jes.2014.31
14. Thompson MR, Boekelheide K. Multiple environmental chemical exposures to lead, mercury and polychlorinated biphenyls among childbearing-aged women (NHANES 1999–2004): body burden and risk factors. Environ Res. 2013;121:23-30. doi:10.1016/j.envres.2012.10.005
15. Mahalingaiah S, Missmer SE, Cheng JJ, Chavarro J, Laden F, Hart JE. Perimenarchal air pollution exposure and menstrual disorders. Hum Reprod. 2018;33(3):512-519. doi:10.1093/humrep/dey005
16. Wise LA, Palmer JR, Reich D, Cozier YC, Rosenberg L. Hair relaxer use and risk of uterine leiomyomata in African-American women. Am J Epidemiol. 2012;175(5):432-440. doi:10.1093/aje/kwr351
17. Fernandez H, Schmidt T, Powell M, Costa AP, Arriagada P, Thaler C. Real world data of 1473 patients treated with ulipristal acetate for uterine fibroids: Premya study results. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2017;208:91-96. doi:10.1016/j.ejogrb.2016.11.003
18. Wong JY, Gold EB, Johnson WO, Lee JS. Circulating sex hormones and risk of uterine fibroids: Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN). J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2016;101(1):123-130. doi:10.1210/jc.2015-2935
19. Al-Hendy A, Myers ER, Stewart E. Uterine fibroids: burden and unmet medical need. Semin Reprod Med. 2017;35(6):473-480. doi:10.1055/s-0037-1607264