Uterine Fibroids

You may require the following tests:

• Ultrasound
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• X-rays
• Cat scan (CT) –
• Hysterosalpingogram (HSG) or sonohysterogram – An HSG involves injecting x-ray dye into the uterus and taking x-ray pictures. A sonohysterogram involves injecting water into the uterus and making ultrasound pictures.

You might also need surgery to know for sure if you have fibroids. There are two types of surgery to do this:

• Laparoscopy – The doctor inserts a long, thin scope into a tiny incision made in or near the navel. The scope has a bright light and a camera. This allows the doctor to view the uterus and other organs on a monitor during the procedure. Pictures also can be made.
• Hysteroscopy – The doctor passes a long, thin scope with a light through the vagina and cervix into the uterus. No incision is needed. The doctor can look inside the uterus for fibroids and other problems, such as polyps. A camera also can be used with the scope.

  Your doctor can do imaging tests to confirm that you have fibroids. These are tests that create a “picture” of the inside of your body without surgery. These tests might include:

  • Ultrasound – Uses sound waves to produce the picture. The ultrasound probe can be placed on the abdomen or it can be placed inside the vagina to make the picture.
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) – Uses magnets and radio waves to produce the picture
  • X-rays – Uses a form of radiation to see into the body and produce the picture
  • Cat scan (CT) – Takes many X-ray pictures of the body from different angles for a more complete image
  • Hysterosalpingogram (HSG) or sonohysterogram – An HSG involves injecting x-ray dye into the uterus and taking x-ray pictures. A sonohysterogram involves injecting water into the uterus and making ultrasound pictures.

  You might also need surgery to know for sure if you have fibroids. There are two types of surgery to do this:

  • Laparoscopy – The doctor inserts a long, thin scope into a tiny incision made in or near the navel. The scope has a bright light and a camera. This allows the doctor to view the uterus and other organs on a monitor during the procedure. Pictures also can be made.
  • Hysteroscopy – The doctor passes a long, thin scope with a light through the vagina and cervix into the uterus. No incision is needed. The doctor can look inside the uterus for fibroids and other problems, such as polyps. A camera also can be used with the scope.³

Pain is one of the most common symptom of symptomatic fibroids. In fact a type of Uterine Fibroids, known as submucosal fibroids are one the most common cause of dysmenorrhoea (painful periods).⁴