Relieve Fibroid Symptoms and Improve Your Reproductive Health with Dr. Caroline Hoggenmueller
Fibroids & Adenomyosis
Fibroids and adenomyosis are common causes of heavy periods and pelvic symptoms
Fibroids and adenomyosis are common conditions affecting the uterus. Both can cause heavy or painful periods, pelvic pain or pressure, although some women have few or no symptoms.
While they can cause similar symptoms, fibroids and adenomyosis are different conditions and treatment depends on your symptoms, the findings on imaging and what is important to you.
Dr Caroline can assess your symptoms, arrange appropriate investigations and discuss treatment options tailored to your circumstances.
What are uterine fibroids?
Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous growths that develop in or around the uterus. They are very common and can vary considerably in size, number and location.
Some fibroids cause no symptoms and need no treatment. Others can contribute to heavy or prolonged periods, pelvic pressure or discomfort, bloating, and sometimes fertility or pregnancy concerns.
Whether treatment is needed depends on your symptoms and individual circumstances.
What is adenomyosis?
Adenomyosis occurs when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows within the muscular wall of the uterus.
It can cause heavy or prolonged periods, significant period pain, pelvic discomfort or pressure. Symptoms vary considerably — some women experience substantial symptoms while others have very few.
Adenomyosis is usually assessed using your symptoms and pelvic imaging, most commonly ultrasound.
How are fibroids and adenomyosis investigated?
Dr Caroline will discuss your symptoms, menstrual history and how they are affecting your everyday life.
A pelvic ultrasound is commonly used to assess the uterus and identify fibroids or features of adenomyosis. In some circumstances, further imaging such as an MRI may be helpful.
The results, together with your symptoms and future pregnancy plans where relevant, will help guide which treatment options are appropriate for you.
How are fibroids and adenomyosis treated?
Treatment depends on your symptoms, the size and location of any fibroids, whether adenomyosis is present, and your individual circumstances and preferences.
Options may include medication or hormonal treatments such as the Mirena IUD to help manage heavy bleeding and pain. For fibroids, surgical treatment such as myomectomy may be appropriate in some circumstances.
For women with significant symptoms who have completed their family, hysterectomy may also be considered. Dr Caroline will discuss the benefits and limitations of each option with you.
When might surgery be considered?
Surgery may be considered when symptoms are significant, other treatments have not provided enough relief, or the size or location of fibroids makes surgical treatment appropriate.
Depending on your circumstances, surgery may involve myomectomy, which removes fibroids while preserving the uterus, or hysterectomy, which removes the uterus and provides definitive treatment for adenomyosis and uterine fibroids.
Dr Caroline will discuss whether surgery is appropriate for you and which options best fit your symptoms, circumstances and future pregnancy plans.
Book an appointment with Dr Caroline
If fibroids or adenomyosis are causing heavy periods, pain or other symptoms that are affecting your everyday life, you can arrange an appointment with Dr Caroline for assessment and to discuss your treatment options.
A referral from your GP or specialist is required.