I hear it time and time again...She was asked to remove her womb at the age of 28 years old. It’s common knowledge that Gynae doctors in the UK have limited training on fibroids compared to our American counterparts. Due to this, not enough options are offered to women at such a critical stage in their journey. Could more have been done before women are offered a complete womb removal? Sadly 70% to 80% of women in the UK up to the age of 50 will be affected by Uterine fibroids.

Uterine fibroids are a tumour that grows within the uterus, Fibroids range in size from seedlings, undetectable by the human eye, to bulky masses that can distort and enlarge the uterus. You can have a single fibroid or multiple ones. In extreme cases, multiple fibroids can expand the uterus so much that it reaches the rib cage and can add weight. There are three types of fibroids, all impacting lives adversely, causing debilitating changes destroying your quality of life.

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Women are left to suffer in silence, excruciating pain and at times unable to leave their homes. Women can bleed from days to months, losing very large clots, causing cramps which are equal to being in labour. The large tampons and sanitary towels are not enough, women can bleed through these in minutes (flooding). I remember when I was unable to leave the restroom of a restaurant until a change of clothes was delivered to me, you can imagine how I felt. You can often haemorrhage and require life-saving blood transfusions and iron via IV. Medication is often offered to slow the bleeding but there are procedures available for women that are not often offered instead sent home until the next time. Women need more support to adjust to necessary lifestyle changes, Mental health support and also financial support due to the effect on the ability to be able to earn a living when symptoms are at their worse.

Some tumours can make women look pregnant, these growths sit against your bowel and bladder, causing kidney infections, UTIs, the urge to pass urine more frequently. The growths sit on the colon causing very painful constipation.

One of the most common health complications is anaemia, starving your organs of oxygen especially your brain causing horrid symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, tiredness, weakness, shortness of breath, chest pain, confusion, constipation and so many more awful symptoms.

Other health complications are mental health, depression and anxiety. I have read messages and spoken to fellow fibroid sufferers about how they can no longer live in pain and would rather end their life, instead of suffering, this isn’t acceptable. More needs to be done, if you would like to be part of a safe support network where you can share and get your questions answered with no judgement then connect with us here

Women should not feel ashamed to talk about this. It’s not our fault and it will never be.

FOR A FREE GUIDE ON KEY THINGS TO AVOID LIVING WITH FIBROIDS CLICK HERE