About fibroids
Fibroids are benign (non-cancerous) smooth muscle growths on the muscle of your womb (uterus).
They can cause heavy or painful periods and pressure symptoms. Pressure symptoms happen when a fibroid presses against surrounding organs and nerves. These symptoms include a feeling of heaviness, frequent urination, constipation, lower back or leg pain and abdomen enlargement.
About Sonata
Sonata is a treatment for fibroids that does not require any incisions (cuts) to your tummy.
To treat fibroids with Sonata, we insert a miniature ultrasound probe (handpiece) into your uterus, through the vagina. This enables us to look inside your womb and see your fibroid(s).
We can then treat each fibroid with radiofrequency energy (a type of heat generation process called 'ablation'). This energy is focused so there is no damage to your womb. It makes the fibroids stop growing and they usually shrink during the months after treatment.
To carry out this treatment, we usually give patients a local anaesthetic. Local anaesthetic allows us to numb a small area of your body while you remain fully awake.
We also offer you Penthrox, which is a gas and air painkiller and relaxant. Penthrox has shown to be as effective as morphine. You will not be able to drive yourself home after breathing Penthrox.
Fertility
Treatment with Sonata is used to treat fibroids that cause symptoms in the patient.
Clinical data shows that women can become pregnant after Sonata treatment. However, since Sonata is relatively new, there is still limited data when compared to other treatments.
If you do plan to get pregnant, we advise a healing waiting-period of 6 months after treatment.
Restrictions
You cannot have Sonata treatment if you:
- have had a hip replacement
- have a pelvic infection
- have a known or suspected cancer of the womb, cervix or ovaries
- have a known pre-cancerous condition, for example an untreated abnormal smear test
- have intra-tubal implants for sterilisation (Essure)
- are pregnant (see 'Preparing for your treatment' below).
| If you have an intrauterine device (coil), we will need to remove this during your treatment with Sonata. |
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As part of your Sonata treatment, we will ask you to complete a three-part questionnaire. This will cover your:
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Preparing for your treatment
Important
You cannot have Sonata if you are pregnant.
Avoid unprotected sexual intercourse in the 28 days before your treatment.
Pre-assessment (Willow Building)
At your pre-assessment, you can expect the following.
- A member of our gynaecology team will ask you questions about your medical history.
- They will discuss the procedure with you.
- They will give you a pregnancy test. You cannot have Sonata treatment if you are pregnant.
- They will explain possible risks and side effects. If you decide to go ahead, they will ask you to sign a consent form.
Side effects
Common side effects include:
- bleeding
- spotting
- cramping
- headache
- constipation
- dizziness/tiredness
- post-ablation inflammation (low grade fever, fatigue, back pain)
- vaginal discharge.
These side effects usually peak 72 hours after the procedure, and resolve after a few days.
Important
We recommend you do not drive or take public transport after treatment.
You will need to arrange for someone to collect you, or take a taxi home.
Let us know if you cannot arrange for someone to collect you afterwards.
On the day
Most Sonata treatment takes place in Willow Building (our Gynaecology Outpatient unit).
Do the following on the day of your treatment.
- We recommend you eat and drink as usual before you get to the hospital.
- We advise you to take 2 x 500mg paracetamol tablets and 2 x 200mg ibuprofen tablets, if these are your usual painkillers. Do this 1 to 2 hours before your procedure. This will reduce any cramps you may feel during treatment.
Immediately afterwards
After your treatment, we will transfer you to the Recovery Room in Willow Building. We will observe you while the effects of your gas and air pain relief wears off.
You may experience abdominal pain or cramps. We will offer you pain relief for this.
Most patients are ready to go home on the same day.
We will give you a short course of antibiotics to take. You can also continue with your usual pain-killers (for example paracetamol and ibuprofen).
Recovery at home
Most women experience some vaginal bleeding or discharge afterwards.
We advise you to do the following until the bleeding and discharge stop:
- use sanitary towels (not tampons)
- avoid sexual intercourse for 2 weeks
- avoid swimming for 2 weeks.
Periods
Most women have their next period at the expected time.
When to seek medical help
Get in touch with us (see Contacts below) if you experience heavy bleeding (needing one pad an hour for several hours, with flooding and clots), or bleeding that continues for more than 2 weeks.
When to seek urgent help
Go to your nearest Emergency Department (A&E) if you experience any of the following:
- severe abdominal pain
- a fever
- offensive smelling bleeding or discharge.
More information
Contact information
Kingston Hospital Gynaecology Department (Willow Building)