ok just been told i could have fibroids what are they and how are they treated please.

[debbsyandsonn]

Just back from the drs after wanting to back on the pill,to settle my very heavy painfil periods down bleed easily twice a mth.She examined me and told me i could have fibroids.

goodness sorry for typos typing quickly

I was told I 'could have fibroids' because I had similar symptoms, but it's just your GP taking a guess asbthey are a common cause of heavy periods. Best not worry about it until you have had further investigations - presumably you will be referred for a scan?

yes just got to wait for an appointment to come through.

Ok - you'll know more then. But fibroids are only one of numerous causes of heavy periods. I had uterine polyps (nice!) Do you want any more children?

well looking at my other thread i dont know yes i think so,why does it mean i cant have them?

Despite it being a 'could have', I do think your GP could have explained what they are for you. Could you give him/her a ring and ask them to call you back?

debbsyandsonn - large fibroids can prevent conception, but the reason I was asking was that my periods have been sorted out by having something called Endometrial Ablation'. But that does mean I couldn't have a baby now. BUPA do some very good guides to medical conditions - I bet if you google 'BUPA fibroids' you'll find something. I'll have a look for you...

Here you are...

thanks forty plus very useful

Thanks. Actually, while you're at it, why not check out their guide to heavy periods , which tells you some of the other causes. Don't panic about cancer, though! Apparently even when there are growths in the womb (other than fibroids) only about 1 in a thousand is malignant.

i will do later when i get back from wales thanks though.

I have a large fibroid on the outside of my uterus, which was discovered during my first pg. It hasn't prevented me from conceiving or giving birth naturally to three children, or affected my day-to-day life. With dc1 it grew very large during the pregnancy ( and hurt a lot), and was probably responsible for my heavy, frequent periods until dc2.

I had various scans and investigations to look into removing it, and was advised not to do anything until I felt my family was complete. This was because fibroid surgery carries a risk of having to have an emergency hysterectomy.

I have since decided to leave it alone, as it has shrunk in size, didn't affect my periods between dc2 and dc3, and I am pretty much unaware of it now.

HTH and is a bit reassuring. Fibroids are generally harmless (though may cause a few problems) and are so common in women over about 35 that it's almost normal to have them.

That's a nice positive post Yes - the BUPA factsheet makes the point that 1 in 3 women has them - usually in their 30s and 40's - then they can just shrink away after the menopause.