Is there a minimum size of Fibroid that gets removed?

[Guttedme]

Just curious, does it depend on the nhs trust at what size they'll remove, appreciate I'm going to have the nhs's first line of treatment the coil. I had a small fibroid at 2.5 apparently in the womb lining back in May last year when I had an internal scan but I did hear of someone with an even smaller one at 2 getting it shaved, whilst having the coil, but they were said it was done to 'preserve their fertility' as they already had a child and I accept their fibroid could have been in a different place.

Never had heavy periods or passing of enormous clots.

I also understand a fibroid can die and return? I've recently had droplets of blood present so I'm kind of hoping it is a polp I have as I think that does get removed.

I have thought it is the weight loss pens causing some of the problems as long term side effects of that aren't known and I have a diabetic nurse now going for the oral version of the injection, have I paralysed my stomach but that doesn't make sense when I've had gaps and remained the same.

I was told it's not the size of the fibroid but the nature of the problems the patient is experiencing. Some women have larger fibroids that cause them no problems and are only discovered as a incidental finding. Others have small fibroids but problem bleeding etc, and they may think it worth taking them out to see if it helps (it did in my case).

@Guttedme - off topic but why do you say the coil is the first line of treatment? How does it help?

No worries. I saw both a private consultant (free consult with Ramsey) who insisted and junior nhs doctor both stated for the size of the alleged fibroid the coil is to be tried first and to give it 6 months, however the private said you need another scan before I insert, yet the nhs seem happy to wheel me into surgery based on a scan from 10 months ago.

NHS post appointment letter ‘we could insert a Mirena coil at the same time of the hysteoscopy to both see if this improves xxxx’s symptoms but additionally to provide endometrial protection’.

I’m terrified and don’t really want the coil having bleed with taking cerazette 3 months out of 6 but it seems to be you just have to try anything.

It has been a battle since end of 2022 when they originally tried to say my women’s problems were connected to a neck and spine condition, I’ve no doubt I only eventually got taken seriously due to the Hpv on last smear and having a high bmi.

I thought the numbness at the beginning was the worst part but the heaviness and dragging is doing my head in.

Ah I see, so the Mirena coil is to manage your symptom of excessive bleeding - not much help to control the fibroid itself. The fibroid will stay as-is or continue to grow. It's good to have another scan before you take any action so you know how fast it's growing.

I have a huge fibroid and a couple of small ones. No symptoms other than a bit of pressure in my lower belly. They were incidental discoveries when I went in for something unrelated. I've researched all options and recently had a fibroid embolisation to kill the fibroid. It will take a few months before I can say if it's worked, but it's usually a very successful procedure. If you don't want the coil you can consider this. DM me and I can share more details.

Thank you so much for the guidance, this is what I don't get, I don't have the heavy periods, when this all started it took my period away and made them out of sync, I don't have the need to change pads every hour or give birth to clots, the recent blood incidences have been seen on wiping or as droplets and if I'm not ovulating where is it coming from.

I cannot ever bear a tampon so its my only hope they see more during a hysteroscopy, trying to remember its a diagnostic tool in its own right and or the whole procedure fails miserably. I've never birthed children so they say the cervix may not dilate.

I will most certainly keep in mind what you've said about the procedure you've had, thanks this has calmed me down. Thank you again x

@Guttedme - easier said than done, but try not to worry about the coil. If they do give you GA for your hysteroscopy (which they should) then you won't feel anything and the coil itself can't be felt after it is in position; it is tiny and much higher up inside the uterus. I have used a coil in the past and I felt nothing at all. If that is the right course of action, then please don't hesitate to go for it. Its nothing like having a tampon which sits much lower and you can feel it. I cannot stand tampons either.

I've already got a Mirena, which had successfully stopped my hideous heavy periods for about 8 years, up until February of last year when I started having a light bleed every three weeks which has gradually got worse. I had a trans vaginal and abdominal ultrasound in August, and have a small (11 x 9 x 14mm) submucosal fibroid. No idea if that is causing the issues, but I now have a 21-24 day cycle where 7 days is spent having a "proper" period with lots of small clots, and I have spotting and bloody mucous the rest of the time. Also some pressure and cramping.
I finally have a gynaecology appointment in a couple of weeks, am hoping that they will whip it out!