Fibroids are non-cancerous growths that develop in or around the womb (uterus). They are most common in women aged 30 to 50, with 4 out of 5 women developing at least one fibroid at some point in their life. One in 3 women with fibroids have symptoms including heavy or painful periods, abdominal and lower back pain, a frequent need to urinate, constipation and pain during sex.
The gynaecology team at ĢtvƵ (LTHT) has introduced a pioneering new treatment called Sonata (Transcervical Fibroid Ablation) for patients with symptomatic uterine fibroids.
Sonata uses ultrasound to locate and target individual fibroids and radiofrequency energy is delivered to shrink fibroids which in turn reduces symptoms. The fibroids are treated from inside the uterus, so there are no incisions and the uterus remains intact. It is a revolutionary alternative to more invasive options such as hysterectomy (surgery to remove the whole womb) or myomectomy (surgery to remove fibroids from the womb).
The procedure can be performed in an outpatient clinic appointment and takes less than one hour. Ninety per cent of women see an improvement in bleeding after 3 months and up to 94% remain satisfied 3 years following treatment. Patients benefit from a faster recovery time as local anaesthetic is used, and a clinical study found that 50% of the women treated returned to normal activity the day after the procedure, women who were employed returned to work on average in 3-4 days.
Dr Hlupekile Chipeta, Consultant Gynaecologist and Clinical Lead, performed LTHT’s first Sonata treatment at St James’s University Hospital. LTHT was one of the first Trusts in Yorkshire to offer it to patients.
Dr Chipeta explains: “Symptoms of uterine fibroids can really affect a woman’s quality of life. We are delighted to introduce Sonata as a new treatment option for women experiencing heavy periods caused by fibroids. It can be a very effective alternative to invasive surgery or medical treatment options. We know how important it is for patients to recover quickly and to return to normal activity as soon as possible after treatment. Sonata offers this possibility.”
I encourage any woman with symptomatic fibroids to discuss, with her doctor or nurse, whether Sonata treatment might be suitable for her.
Dr Hlupekile Chipeta, Consultant Gynaecologist and Clinical Lead
For more information about Sonata read our Fibroids patient information leaflet.
Fibroid Facts
- Fibroids are benign growths that develop within the uterine wall
- Fibroids range from the size of a pea to a melon
- Fibroids are one of the main reasons for hysterectomies in the UK
- Approximately 70% of white women and more than 80% of black women will have had uterine fibroids before the age of 50
- Fibroids occur in 20–50% of women older than 30 years