9cm fibroid

[BrandyCat]

Hi everyone, I've just come back from my latest gynae appointment and my head is spinning a bit. Having hit the google search this forum came up and having read a few posts it seems a friendly place to get people's thoughts and hear about other's experiences.

I've known I've had fibroids since my mid-twenties when I had ultrasounds with my first child. I'm now 41 and haven't had any real issues until about 2 years ago when I started to get really sharp stabbing pains in my pelvis region (on my right), I had the contraceptive implant at the time so periods were a bit all over the place but not excessively heavy.

Anyway, went to the doctors with the pain, which at times was happening most days and so intense for a few seconds it completely took my breath away. Following referral two things were identified - my fibroid (at 5cm in Jul 18) and cysts. Switched to the pill which has hopefully cured the cysts but my fibroid has almost doubled in size since this time last year (now 9cm) and is located on the back wall of my uterus.

Pain is less frequent but still intense, sexual intercourse can also be painful and it hurts if I have a full bowel etc. Recently I've also suffered with lower back ache most days - whilst that could be a number of things I understand there is a link with fibroids.

My gynae has suggested either a hysterectomy or a myomectomy if I find the pain becomes too much. At the moment I have left it - however she only wants me to stay on the pill for a maximum of another 6 months due to blood clot risks.

So now I am in a quandary - why is my fibroid growing so much and what do I do about it? Concerned this may now be impacting on other organs etc and what will happen when I come off the pill. I had planned to go in today, for the fibroid to be stable and to remain on the pill until 45+. As she stated I am still likely to have a further 10 years or thereabouts until menopause - if I go for surgery hysterectomy would probably be my preference (although I'm worried about early menopause).

Appreciate no one can tell me what to do, just hoping to hear if anyone else has experienced fibroid growth like this or has considered surgery as an option and what they considered in making their decision.

Thanks for your help.

[Freedom2938]

I have a similar predicament. The fibroid appears to be growing and I have another scan in 3 weeks so expect to find out it’s grown more. I have similar symptoms to those you’ve described but in addition I have very heavy bleeding so have been on medication to reduce that. Nothing worked initially so I’m on medication that is not great for long term. Due to the location of my fibroid they’d said previously it would be difficult to operate but I think I’m going to push for a myemectomy if possible as the bleeding has been really hard to deal with. I’d say if you’re having symptoms like you’ve described then it’s worth an operation. I’m 38 and I’m told that if it brings on early menopause that’s not necessarily detrimental or at least no more so than the fibroids themselves, as at that age it is possible to start having symptoms anyway. Which pill are you on? Could you go on to the progesterone only pill? Or the mirena coil as an alternative if you’d prefer to avoid surgery.

[BrandyCat in reply to Freedom2938]

Thanks for replying, sounds like it’s very similar, do you know whereabouts your fibroid is?

I’m on the combined pill, rigevidon is the brand. It seems to be working in terms of controlling my periods and cysts so reluctant to come off it but understand the risks and why she’s saying it. I had the coil before but had lots of issues when it came to removal (my womb goes backwards apparently so the coil got a bit lost!)

I’ve talked it through with older female relatives who have had similar issues plus prolapses and they are recommending the hysterectomy too. Just all feels a bit daunting, that said I can only see the situation getting worse.

Hope you get on ok with pushing for the Myomectomy.

[Freedom2938 in reply to BrandyCat]

I have 2 fibroids. The bigger and problematic one is submucosal so in the lining of the womb. As far as I know quite a few women continue to take the combined pill if they don’t have the other risk factors associated with it so it’s worth asking about those and also asking whether a progesterone only one would do the same job just in case. I’ve just come off norethisterone so I’m waiting for lots of bleeding for the next week before I can go back on it again 😭. Being female sucks at times!! Really hope you get some more options if you’re not sure about a hysterectomy. I do have female relatives that had one in their early 40’s and they’ve said it was the best decision they made. Good luck!