Fibroid pain can be quite debilitating for many women. High-intensity focused ultrasound used to tighten skin is now also being used to treat the condition.The condition causes excessive bleeding, crippling period pain, difficulties in pregnancy – and is one of the main reasons women have hysterectomies. It is uterine fibroids, and 171 million women in the world have the problem.
The white dress is an emblem of hope and strength for sufferers, and a reminder that a cure will be found.On The White Dress Project website, one woman talks about how her fibroid grew to the size of a grapefruit, causing pelvic pain, bloating, frequent urination and heavy periods. There are also many hormonal treatments, either taken orally or via a T-shaped device inserted into the womb.
This non-invasive solution requires no surgery or anaesthesia, and does not cause bleeding or scarring for the patient.If the name sounds familiar, it is because Hifu has been promoted in recent years as a non-invasive procedure for skin lifting and tightening. This creates "wounds" and cellular friction, which triggers healing and stimulates new collagen formation.
"The high-energy ultrasound waves cause the temperature of their target to increase. The high temperature can cause the fibroid cells and surrounding blood vessels to contract. This is why there is pain.Hifu's limitations in fibroid treatment"There [are] very defined patient selection criteria," says Zara Chan.