Fibroid Slough & Menopause

Fibroids grow on the inner walls of the uterus. These growths are benign and range in size from pea-sized to grapefruit-sized. However, the growths generally shrink in size after menopause has occurred in a woman. In rare cases, a woman will experience a fibroid slough, which means the fibroid is trapped in an area such as the cervix. This entrapment can cause intense pain.

• Fibroid growth can be determined by genetics

Causes

• Fibroids often first develop in a woman when she is between the ages of 30 and 40. Not all women grow fibroids and it may be determined by genetics, nutrition choices, stress or anxiety, or a combination of those issues.

Problem Symptoms

• Fibroids may cause no problems to the woman. In some cases, the fibroids will cause issues such as anemia, infertility, painful intercourse and heavy bleeding. This may be due in part to the fibroid growth because it can stretch the uterus lining or press on other parts of the body such as the bowel or bladder.

Uterine Artery Embolization

• When the symptoms listed above are causing the woman too much pain, she may have to go through with a procedure known as uterine artery embolization (UAE). This is a new method used to treat fibroids. The procedure essentially deprives the fibroids of their blood in order to make them smaller.

Complication of Treatment

• In rare cases, the patient who has just received the UAE procedure may pass small pieces of fibroid tissue, which is known as fibroid slough. This passage of fibroid tissue can last as long from a few days to up to 2 years after the procedure.This can cause intense pain for the woman and put her at risk for future infection. Seek medical help if the pain is intense, prolonged or gets more severe.

Warning

• Speak with a medical professional before deciding on which form, if any, treatment is right for you and your body. If you are experiencing any of the post-menopause symptoms described, seek medical advice immediately.