A Consultant Gynecologist, Dr. Tope Olowogbayi, said that underlying, uncontrolled health conditions contribute to complications and deaths that may occur during the surgical treatment of symptomatic uterine fibroid.
Olowogbayi, also a High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) Specialist at the Fibroid Care Centre, a subsidiary of Nordica Fertility Center, made the assertion in an interview with reporters on Saturday in Lagos.
He spoke on the sidelines of a conference organized by Woman of Substance (WOS) to mark the 2026 International Women’s Day (IWD).
IWD, marked annually on March 8, carries the theme for 2026: “Give to Gain: The Power of Reciprocity and Support.”
According to Olowogbayi, symptomatic uterine fibroids are noncancerous muscular tumors that grow in or on the wall of the uterus, affecting 70 to 80 percent of women by age 50.
The HIFU specialist explained that complications can occur following open surgery for fibroid treatment, ranging from anesthetic complications to uncontrolled or unstabilized pre-existing health conditions.
The gynecologist warned that uncontrolled health conditions could exacerbate symptoms such as severe pain, heavy bleeding, and anemia, which could lead to death.
He said: “A number of things could go wrong during or after open fibroid surgery, ranging from anesthetic complications to unstabilized pre-existing conditions of the patient.
“People can react adversely to some of the drugs given during the procedure.
“Sometimes internal bleeding may occur after surgery, and a woman could die as a result.
“Even if the surgery is successful, complications like blood clots can develop when the patient is immobile. A clot could enter circulation, blocking the lungs, causing a woman who initially seemed fine to suddenly collapse and die a day or two after surgery.”
Olowogbayi emphasized that a patient’s pre-existing health conditions are critical to surgical outcomes and must be stabilized before treatment.
“For example, if a patient has diabetes or hypertension, doctors must ensure these conditions are well-controlled before surgery,” he said.
He listed fibroid treatment options, including HIFU (a non-invasive procedure), open surgery (myomectomy or hysterectomy), uterine artery embolization (UAE), radiofrequency ablation (RFA), and hormone therapy.
Treatment is individualized based on the patient’s age, symptoms, and health needs. “For instance, someone approaching menopause may require a different approach than someone of reproductive age,” Olowogbayi said.
He added that all treatment options are effective, noting that non-invasive procedures are as effective as open surgery, which has traditionally been the most recommended.
“The non-invasive option preserves the anatomy of the womb and ovaries, avoids scar formation, and allows women to conceive after treatment. Hospital stays are short—usually two hours—and normal activities can resume within three days. Unlike open surgery, complications are minimal or nonexistent,” he said.
Contributing, the Clinic Manager of Nordica Fertility Centre, Ms. Ranti Ajayi, said several factors can cause infertility, with uterine fibroids being one of them.
She urged women to consult competent doctors who can properly evaluate their condition and recommend the most suitable treatment option.
Ajayi also called for safe spaces where women could access knowledge on healthy living, emphasizing that women must prioritize their well-being.
