Sonata in Harrow

The Clementine Churchill Hospitals offers Sonata, an incisionless fibroid treatment, in Harrow

Doctor using pen to point at uterus model

Fibroids are benign (non-cancerous) growths of uterine tissue, formed by a thickening of the lining of the uterus.

Fibroids are common, with approximately one in three women developing a fibroid within their lifetime. They can be more common in women of child-bearing age who do not have children. Some ethnic groups such as Afro-Caribbean women can be more prone to developing fibroids, too.

These growths tend to be oestrogen-dependent, which means they can grow during pregnancy or shrink after the menopause due to hormonal changes.

Some women may not have any adverse symptoms and will be otherwise unaware of their fibroids.

The size of a fibroid can vary greatly, ranging from roughly 1cm to 20cm. You may have lots of little fibroids, or one larger fibroid, and either of these would not be considered out of the ordinary.
The location of the fibroids is something your consultant will wish to consider when looking at potential treatment. They can be found:

Protruding into the lining of the uterus
Just in the wall of the uterus
Outside the wall of the uterus

Sonata is the only treatment option for uterine fibroids that integrates imaging guidance (ultrasound) and therapy (radiofrequency) into a single, transcervical delivery system. The fibroids are treated from within the uterus, requiring no incisions in the abdomen, no tissue to be cut or surgically removed, and conserves a woman’s uterus. Sonata offers a revolutionary alternative to more invasive options, such as hysterectomy or myomectomy, and procedures such as uterine artery embolisation.

Due to its unique minimally invasive system, Sonata provides a quick recovery for patients, and can be performed between 15 and 60 minutes, depending on the number and size of fibroids treated. Each ablation takes from 1–7 minutes to perform, depending on fibroid size (larger = longer).

When you meet with your Circle Health Group consultant, they will carry out a thorough assessment of your condition and talk through suitable treatment options.

Your consultant will begin by taking a detailed medical history and will ask some specific questions to get to know the issues you've been facing. If fibroids are already confirmed or suspected, these questions may include:

Do you have any lower abdominal discomfort or swelling?
Do you feel pregnant?
Are the fibroids affecting your bowel and/or bladder function because of pressure symptoms?
Are you going to the toilet frequently?
Are they making you constipated and/or are you having difficulties opening your bowels as a result?
Is your menstrual cycle being affected? (You may find that your periods are very heavy and painful. You may also experience irregular bleeding between your periods, without the natural break)

You may have been referred to Circle Health Group by your GP, and you may already be in the possession of diagnostic scans, but the primary goal at this stage is to find you an accurate diagnosis. This may involve having some additional tests, scans, or procedures.

An ultrasound scan is the go-to diagnostic tool used to confirm the presence of fibroids.

Occasionally an MRI scan may also be used to check there is nothing else of concern going on (such as adenomyosis, an enlargement of the uterus due to displaced tissue growing into the wall of the uterus, which shares similar symptoms and can be mistaken for fibroids)

What happens after your diagnosis?

Once the presence of fibroids has been confirmed, along with the size, location and number of fibroids, your consultant will discuss all your treatment options with you. These will range from non-invasive measures to surgical procedures, depending on your desired outcome, the significance of your symptoms, and the nature of your fibroids.

When you choose to go private with Circle, you'll benefit from:

Fast access
When you chose Circle Health Group for your private healthcare, you will get rapid access to a consultant. Private consultations at Circle Health Group are typically available six days a week, with some weekday evening access, ensuring appointment times to suit your schedule.
With demands on healthcare increasing and many people experiencing long waiting lists for help, we can help you get the treatment you need quickly.

Flexible appointments
Private consultations can be booked on a day that is convenient for you, and you can choose the consultant you see. This is helpful if you have been recommended a consultant by a friend or family member or have seen a particular consultant previously.

Consultant-led care
You will only ever see a Consultant Gynaecologist at a private consultation with us. By ensuring a streamlined process from assessment to diagnosis and through to treatment, we can help get your fibroids treated and any symptoms resolved at the earliest possible stage.

At The Clementine Churchill Hospital, our expert consultant gynaecologists, Miss Carina Johnstone-Ayliffe and Mr Magdy Nawar offer Sonata.

Book here for a consultation with Miss Carina Johnstone-Ayliffe

Book here for a consultation with Mr Magdy Nawar