Anne Johnson spent years struggling to have a child. Despite becoming pregnant six times, she couldn’t carry any pregnancy to full term. She never realized that uterine fibroids were affecting her fertility—a discovery that came later in life.
“I had to give up hope,” Johnson said. “And when you lose hope, it’s really depressing. You feel like you can’t have a child.”
Doctors dismissed her pain, saying it was just part of life for women. But as time passed, her condition never improved.
Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous tumors that develop in or around the muscle layer of the uterus. They can range in size from 1 to 20 centimeters. The exact cause remains unknown, and many women experience no symptoms. However, others suffer from severe pelvic pain and heavy periods. For Johnson, fibroids led to long-term fertility struggles.
“It was an emotional roller coaster, and it really took a toll on me,” she said. “I couldn’t get answers, and that was so frustrating.”
Johnson had a hysterectomy at age 51 to deal with ongoing pain from the fibroids. It was only then she learned she also had endometriosis. Art became her therapeutic outlet, helping her cope with the emotional pain that lingers even today.
While uterine fibroids are considered common, the exact number of women affected is unclear. Perth-based gynecologist and fertility specialist Dr. Tamara Hunter estimates that one in three women are impacted. However, the lack of research on fibroids has led to confusion about the condition.
“For many decades, women have been told to just deal with it,” Dr. Hunter said. “We need to start paying more attention.”
Currently, no known method exists to prevent fibroids, and without a clear understanding of their cause, early diagnosis and prevention remain a challenge.
Fibroids can affect fertility in several ways. Dr. Hunter explained that they can create a “toxic environment” for an embryo due to inflammation or physically block successful implantation in the uterine lining.
“People often think that if there are no symptoms, there’s nothing to worry about,” Dr. Hunter said. “But fibroids grow over time, often under hormonal influence. They can eventually become large enough to cause symptoms.”
For women like Anne Johnson, invasive surgery to remove the fibroids is often the only option.
Bethany Lord, CEO of women’s health service Luma, urges women not to suffer in silence. “We need to find ways to prevent these conditions before they start affecting women’s lives,” she said.
Lord calls for more collaboration between policymakers, health providers, and researchers to address these issues. “If you think something isn’t normal or you’re concerned, reach out for help,” she added.
Improving the diagnosis and treatment of reproductive health conditions like uterine fibroids is a priority in Western Australia’s women’s health policy. A Department of Health spokesperson reaffirmed this commitment, emphasizing the importance of equitable, accessible, and appropriate services to enhance the health and wellbeing of women in the state.
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