Trinidad and Tobago MoH educates masses on Uterine Fibroids

Trinidad and Tobago: The Ministry of Health, Trinidad and Tobago raises awareness on Uterine fibroids by sharing information through social media on December 19, 2023. Such a problem is very common nowadays among women.

Uterus fibroids are the common growths of the uterus which are generally not harmful in effect. This develops from the muscle tissue in the uterus. The occurrence of this nowadays is very common in younger women. However, 80% of women usually go through it in their late 30s.

Significantly, Dr Adesh Sirju Singh – Director of Women’s Health, Ministry of Health, Trinidad and Tobago, provided detailed information on this as part of the health and well-being of the community. He added that the case is different for everybody; symptoms and effects vary from person to person, so the cure is different as well.

Causes of fibroids

The causes of fibroids include the prolonged exposure to estrogen escalates the risk of developing fibroids. And, there are no obvious causes of fibroids . Although, these are not connected to the diets as these vary region to region. Moreover, the symptoms of these are more likely are to be seen in the persons from Africa and East India.

Symptoms of Uterus Fibroids

Considerably, even the symptoms vary from person to person. Some may experience it or some may not regardless of the size of fibroids but depending on its location. The symptoms involved in this are Menstrual issues which may involve heavy, longer lasting and painful periods. Also, one can experience bleeding between monthly menstruation.

Further, many of the body aches as well are part of its signs. This may involve:

• Lower Belly Pain
• Backache
• Pressure in the Pelvis area

Moreover, if considered the size of the fibroid and it is large, the swelling in the abdomen can be seen. This further can give birth to many harmful diseases like constipation and rectal pain which even declares that the issue is not harmful but harmful.

Not only this,  there can be many issues while sexual intercourse as well because it can give severe pain to the women while intercourse.

Probing ahead, the fibroids can be classified based on their site also. As, if the fibroid is more in the area where the periods come from, they are more likely to cause bleeding problems.

As mentioned above, Uterine fibroids are benign growths so the question arises whether it requires treatment or not.

And, the answer to this is not all the cases require treatment and can be monitored if there are no symptoms. However, the treatments included in this are:

• Use of hormonal tablets, which may even include contraceptive pill
• Injections which can stop the menstrual cycle temporarily
• Removal of small fibroids
• Hysterectomy or removal of the womb

Treatment options in Trinidad and Tobago

There are many treatment options for the same in the country Trinidad and Tobago which include the use of painkillers, hormonal tablets, contraceptive pills and injections to stop the menstrual cycle temporarily.. Also, this involves correcting anemia with iron and other supplements. 

Additionally, the treatments like:

Hysteroscopy – Removal of small fibroids inside of the cavity with a special telescope

Laparoscopy – This can be used only in the case of small fibroids.

Polypectomy – Removal of a fibroid on a stalk extending through the cervix.

Hysterectomy – Removal of the womb.

Most Importantly, a new unit at Trinidad and Tobago as well is created at the Ministry of Health which specifically targets and bring about improvement to women’s healthcare issues.