Uterine fibroids

For a lay person:

Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous growths of muscle in the wall of the womb. They are very common in women of reproductive age, often cause no symptoms, but can lead to heavy periods, pelvic pressure and sometimes fertility problems.

For a trained medical person:

Benign monoclonal smooth-muscle tumours (leiomyomas) that are oestrogen and progesterone responsive, classified by location as submucosal, intramural or subserosal. Diagnosis is by pelvic examination and ultrasound, with MRI for surgical planning. Management depends on symptoms and fertility wishes: watchful waiting, tranexamic acid, hormonal treatments including the levonorgestrel IUS or GnRH antagonists, uterine artery embolisation, myomectomy or hysterectomy.

In Chinese medicine:

Liu and Tseng's textbook differentiates this condition into these patterns: Treatments during Menstruation; Treatments for Nonmenstrual Period; Qi Stagnation and Blood Stasis; Congealed Cold and Blood Stasis; Qi Deficiency and Blood Stasis; Yin Deficiency and Blood Stasis; Steamed Egg with San Qi. Treatment follows the pattern a patient presents with, not the Western diagnosis alone.

When to get help: See a doctor for heavy bleeding, symptoms of anaemia, or a rapidly growing pelvic mass; get urgent care for sudden severe pelvic pain or very heavy bleeding. Blood-moving herbs can increase bleeding and should be avoided in pregnancy and with anticoagulants.