Fibroids and Adenomyosis: Assessment and Treatment in Dubai
Fibroids are benign growths of the muscle of the womb. They are very common, often cause nothing, and sometimes cause heavy periods, pressure, pain or difficulty conceiving depending on their size and where they sit. Adenomyosis is womb-lining tissue within the muscle wall and causes similar symptoms. At Smart Care Polyclinic in Deira, a female gynaecologist finds and measures them on ultrasound in the consultation and explains whether they need treating at all.
For: heavy periods, pelvic pressure, a swollen abdomen, pain, fertility concerns
Takes: a consultation with pelvic ultrasound
Price: consultation AED 150, ultrasound included
What it is
Fibroids are extremely variable. They range from a few millimetres to the size of a melon, sit in the wall of the womb, under its lining or on its outer surface, and behave differently in each place: a small fibroid under the lining can cause flooding periods while a large one on the outside causes only pressure. They are common, benign, and account for a third to a half of all hysterectomies, with treatment historically surgical.1 Medical options that shrink them or control bleeding are increasingly used, which is what makes early, accurate assessment worthwhile.1
Adenomyosis is the womb lining growing into the muscle wall, making the womb bulky and tender; it causes heavy, painful periods and is diagnosed on ultrasound features. It often coexists with fibroids and endometriosis.
Ultrasound answers most of the questions. The gynaecologist measures each fibroid, records where it sits, checks the womb lining and the ovaries, and relates that to your symptoms. A fibroid found by chance with no symptoms usually needs nothing but a follow-up scan. Symptomatic fibroids are treated according to their size, position, your age, and whether you want children.
The options
For heavy bleeding: tranexamic acid, hormonal treatments, or the hormone-releasing coil where the cavity is not distorted. For shrinking fibroids or controlling symptoms medically: hormonal medicines, discussed case by case. For fibroids that need removing: hysteroscopic removal for those under the lining, myomectomy for women who want to keep the womb, and hysterectomy where it is the right choice; these are arranged by referral to a hospital with the assessment and scans done here. For fertility: whether a fibroid is affecting conception depends mostly on whether it distorts the cavity, which the scan shows.
Fibroids in pregnancy
Most fibroids cause no problem in pregnancy, though some grow and some cause pain as they outgrow their blood supply. They are measured at the antenatal scans and their position relative to the placenta and cervix is noted for delivery planning.
The consultation, and what follows from it
Gynaecology consultation, with ultrasound
Assessment, examination and a plan with every cost stated before anything further is done.
AED 150 was AED 250
Bookiron and the basics, since heavy bleeding drains it
Questions patients ask
Only if they cause symptoms that matter to you, affect fertility, or are growing unusually. Many are watched with a repeat scan and never treated.
Fibroids themselves are benign. Cancerous growths of the womb muscle are rare and are suspected only with unusual features or rapid growth, which is one reason a fibroid found on scan is followed up.
Often. Bleeding can be controlled with medical treatment or the hormone-releasing coil, and hormonal medicines can shrink fibroids. Surgery is for fibroids that are large, distorting the cavity, or not responding, and is arranged by referral.
This guide is general information, not advice about you. Symptoms overlap between conditions, and the gynaecologist's history, examination and ultrasound are what decide your assessment and treatment.
References
- Stewart EA, Laughlin-Tommaso SK, Catherino WH, et al.. Uterine fibroids. Nature Reviews Disease Primers. 2016;2:16043. PMID 27335259. doi:10.1038/nrdp.2016.43Fibroids are common benign growths of the womb, highly variable in size, position and symptoms; they account for a third to a half of all hysterectomies, current treatments are mainly surgical, and medical options are emerging.
Sources are listed for the specific statements they support. They are published research and guidance, not a substitute for a consultation — what applies to you is decided by a doctor who has assessed you.