Q1. What are fibroids?
Fibroids are tumours of the uterus which are benign, not malignant. You can think of them as knots in the muscles of the uterus. They are very common but do not always require treatment unless they cause symptoms. Symptoms due to fibroids could be heavy bleeding during periods, pain low abdomen, pressure sensation or inability to get pregnant.
Q2. I am 65 kgs, 25 yrs old and my height is 5 ft. Should I be concerned?
At 5 feet tall, your ideal weight should be around 50 kgs. Weight which is more than 20% of your weight for height is defined as Obesity. All such people have more chance of having hormonal disturbances, delayed or absent periods, difficulty in becoming pregnant, high blood pressure, diabetes, oily skin, acne, abnormal hair growth and multiple cysts in the ovaries. The key to cure these is weight loss.
Q3. My ultrasound showed that I have multiple cysts in my ovary. What should I do?
If you have any 2 of the following 3 criteria: absence of egg release/delayed period, excessive abnormal hair growth/acne, or 12 or more cysts in at least one ovary your diagnosis is PCOS (Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome). Depending upon your need, your doctor will prescribe medicines to correct your hormonal imbalance, regularize cycle, cause egg release and help you conceive or treat excessive hair growth. In all cases, however, the mainstay of management is weight loss by diet control and exercise.
Q4. I have thyroid and PCOS. What should be my medical regime?
You must not miss your thyroid medicine. Remember that thyroid medicines are taken empty stomach, in the morning and nothing is taken by mouth for 1 hour afterwards. If you require any other medicine to be taken empty stomach, keep an hour’s gap in between. This regime is very important otherwise your medicine is not absorbed completely. To control symptoms of PCOS, keep your weight in check. If you have other symptoms of PCOS like abnormal hair growth, take targeted medicines for their relief.
Q5. My mother has been suffering from abnormal vaginal bleeding. She has been recommended hysterectomy. Is there an alternative?
In the older days all patients of abnormal uterine bleeding were treated with hysterectomy. With availability of hysteroscopy, this is no longer true. Remember that the cause of the abnormal bleeding in menopausal women is benign in 90% cases and cancer in only 10% cases. With Hysteroscopy one can see inside the uterus and take a biopsy from abnormal looking areas. If cancer is ruled out then the cause of the abnormal bleeding is treated by Operative Hysteroscopy. It could be fibroids, polyps, hormonal problems. Hysterectomy or removal of the uterus should be the last resort.