Bengaluru woman ignores abdominal pain for 6 months, goes under knife for 7.4kg uterine fibroid; had grown to 36-week pregnancy size, says doctors

BENGALURU: For six long months, 50-year-old Hima (name changed) endured persistent abdominal pain by brushing it off as part of menopause. What she didn't know was that she was carrying a massive 7.4-kg uterine fibroid, one so large it had expanded her uterus to the size of a 36-week pregnancy.Fibroids are non-cancerous growths of the uterus that often appear during a woman's reproductive years. They can range in size from tiny nodules to large masses, and while many are asymptomatic, some may cause symptoms like heavy menstrual bleeding, abdominal pain, bloating sensation, or pressure symptoms. If a woman notices persistent abdominal swelling, irregular periods, pelvic pain, or a feeling of heaviness, it's important to consult a gynaecologist early.Hima, a school teacher and mother of two, recalled: "I had this constant bloating and discomfort, and the pain gradually got worse. But I kept telling myself it was just menopause." It wasn't until the pain became unbearable that she sought help. Last week, doctors at Vani Vilas Hospital successfully removed the giant fibroid in a high-risk surgery, finally giving the woman relief after months of silent suffering. Hima underwent a total abdominal hysterectomy under local anaesthesia on July 17. Despite the complexity due to the size of the fibroid, the surgery went smooth, Dr Savitha C, medical superintendent and professor of Vani Vilas Hospital told TOI. The surgical team led by Dr Savitha, also a gynaecologist and obstetrician, and Dr Tejeswini KK, a senior resident, was supported by a team of anaesthesiologists, including Dr Ramachandraiah R and Dr Bhaskar B along with nursing staff. Following surgery, Hima recovered well and was discharged after a week-long stay in the hospital. Now she is pain free and looking forward to returning to her normal routine. "Doctors have advised me to take rest for three months," she said.