Visualize Women’s Health

Advocating for a Higher Standard of Care in the Management of Uterine Fibroid Symptoms

We are building a central visual-learning resource that provides education on uterine fibroids (UF), also called uterine leiomyomas, and other important women’s health issues from a variety of perspectives, in a format that is both enlightening and convenient. Please peruse our video library and select a topic that interests you.

UF are hormone-dependent, nonmalignant tumors of the uterus.¹ Common symptoms include heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB), anemia from blood loss, pelvic pressure, and/or pelvic pain.¹ These symptoms may lead to morbidities that can significantly impact women’s quality of life, psychological and social well-being, and productivity.^2-4

Women with symptomatic UF experience a delay in diagnosis due in part to lack of UF knowledge or normalization of symptoms.⁵ In the United States, African American women are disproportionately affected by UF compared to Caucasian women, including higher prevalence, earlier onset, disease severity, and a higher likelihood to undergo hysterectomy.^6-9

Improving diagnostic methods, increasing access to early care, and identifying best practices are areas of need.¹⁰

1. Stewart EA, et al. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2016;2:16043. 2. Ghant MS, et al. J Psychosom Res. 2015;78(5):499-503. 3. Soliman AM, et al. Curr Med Res Opin. 2017;33(11):1971-1978. 4. Soliman AM, et al. J Occup Environ Med. 2017;59(10):974-981. 5. Ghant MS, et al. J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2016;25(8):846-852. 6. Baird DD, et al. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2003;188(01):100–107. 7. Marshall LM, et al. Obstet Gynecol. 1997;90(6):967-973. 8. Huyck KL, et al. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2008;198(2):168.e1-168.e1689. 9. Wechter ME, et al. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2011;205(5):492.e1-492.e4925. 10. Al-Hendy A, et al. Semin Reprod Med. 2017;35(6):473-480.

Uterine Fibroids 101

Mechanism of Disease

A Foundational Understanding
of UF

Learn the symptoms and prevalence of this disease among the general population by race and age

UF Classifications

An overview of uterine fibroid classifications by location and how this impacts symptoms

UF Etiology

Review the critical role of hormones—estrogen and progesterone—in fibroid growth and pathogenesis at the molecular level

The Final Word on UF

This high-level summary of uterine fibroids underscores the need for less invasive treatment

Regulation of Reproductive Axis

Gonadotropin-releasing Hormone (GnRH) Signaling

Review the role of GnRH in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis

GnRH Agonist

Learn about the GnRH agonist’s mechanism of action and its effect on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis

GnRH Antagonist

Learn about the GnRH antagonist’s mechanism of action and its effect on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis

Nomenclature

The videos in this section review the following International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) Systems:

System 1:

Nomenclature of symptoms of abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) in women in the reproductive years

System 2:

Classification of causes of AUB in women in the reproductive years, which are collectively called PALM-COEIN ([Polyps, Adenomyosis, Leiomyomas, Malignancy/hyperplasia] and [Coagulopathy, Ovulatory disorders, Endometrial disorders, Iatrogenic, Not classified])

FIGO Systems Presentations

FIGO-AUB System 1

AUB in Women of Reproductive
Age

Review the FIGO definitions of chronic and acute AUB

AUB: FIGO Systems and
Nomenclature

Understand why the FIGO systems for nomenclature and classification of AUB were developed and new terms were standardized

AUB: Descriptive Nomenclature

Review the descriptive nomenclature for symptoms of AUB, both with and without intermenstrual bleeding

FIGO-AUB System 1 Summary

Review the importance of FIGO-AUB System 1 in characterizing and identifying women with these symptoms

FIGO-AUB Systems 1 & 2: A Structured Framework for Investigating AUB

Introduction

Review the components of the initial investigation for reproductive-aged women with chronic AUB

COEIN: Investigation into Women With AUB

Learn what COEIN is and how a structured patient history and laboratory evaluation play a role in the assessment

PALM: Investigation into Women With AUB

Learn what PALM is and how uterine evaluation techniques play a role in the assessment

AUB Case Presentation

Review the case of a woman presenting with adenomyosis, leiomyoma, and von Willebrand’s disease, including the investigation process

AUB Evaluation Synopsis

View a succinct summary of a comprehensive chronic AUB evaluation

FIGO-AUB System 2

FIGO-AUB System 2 Overview

Learn how this system can guide the clinical investigation and the design of therapeutic options, including an introduction to PALM-COEIN

PALM and AUB Symptoms

Review PALM and how these etiologies may contribute to AUB symptoms; includes imaging examples

COEIN and AUB Symptoms

Review COEIN and how these etiologies may contribute to AUB symptoms

AUB Symptom Summary

See an overview of potential causes or contributors to AUB symptoms

PALM-COEIN Subclassification System for Leiomyomas

PALM-COEIN Introduction

Understand how the subclassification system for leiomyomas guides HCPs with clinical evaluation and appropriate therapy identification

FIGO Leiomyoma Subclassification
System

Review the FIGO subclassification system for fibroids in the submucosal, other, and hybrid classes

Rationale for Subclassification
System

Learn how submucosal leiomyomas can lead to AUB and other endometrial-related conditions

In-depth Program Symposia

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Symposium

Patient-Centered Care: An Update on Treatment Options for the Patient With Symptomatic Uterine Fibroids

This symposium prerecording was available at the ACOG 2021 Virtual Annual Clinical and Scientific Meeting on April 30, 2021.

Quality of Life: Asking the Right Questions

Gain a true understanding of and empathy for the impact that heavy menstrual bleeding plays in patients’ lives

Shared Decision-Making

Learn from four KOLs who discuss how to include patients in the decision-making process and better understand their treatment goals

National Medical Association (NMA) Symposium

Hear Her Voice, Know Her Burden: A Dialogue on the Racial Disparity in Women With Uterine Fibroids

This symposium prerecording was available at the NMA 2021 Virtual Convention and Scientific Assembly on July 17, 2021.

Patient Presentation of Anemia
and Heavy Menstrual Bleeding
Due to UF

Learn more about the typical presentation of women with anemia and uterine fibroids due to heavy menstrual bleeding

UF: Normalization

Understand what factors play a role in the normalization of heavy menstrual bleeding

UF: Diagnosis Delays

Discover why there is often a delay in uterine fibroid diagnosis and why women delay seeking treatment

UF: Discussing the Options

Understand why it is important for both HCPs and patients to know about all treatment options and how to honor the voices of women

Shared Decision-Making in UF

Learn about how to include patients in the decision-making process using patient and medical factors

360-Degree Virtual Immersion Videos

Experience full immersion in these videos simply
by moving your mouse to rotate the view.* These
videos provide viewer-controlled, 360-degree
views inside the organs affected by endometrial
lesions.

Symptoms of UF

Heavy Menstrual Bleeding

Learn about heavy menstrual bleeding and see how submucosal fibroids can contribute to this symptom

Pelvic Pain and Pressure

See how the location of fibroids can impinge upon adjacent structures and result in pain, pressure, and other symptoms

Pathogenesis

Hormones and UF Growth
and Development View the role of hormones in the development and growth of uterine fibroids

Genetic Changes in UF

Learn how uterine fibroid development can be associated with genetic changes

Anatomy

Female Pelvic Anatomy Gain a complete visual understanding of the female pelvic anatomy with this 360-degree video

Patient Advocacy

The Fibroid Foundation

The Fibroid Foundation is a premier global community of women with fibroids pursuing a mission to give women living with fibroids a voice. Their collaborative partnership with fellow patients and HCPs fosters a supportive relationship where informed women have proactive conversations with trusted providers.

AbbVie has provided financial or other
support for the above collaborations.

Partnerships

Responsum Health

This organization empowers women with uterine fibroids through greater awareness, knowledge, and support. Provided in partnership with The White Dress Project and CARE About Fibroids, and with the support and collaboration of AbbVie, Responsum for Fibroids is a supportive community that provides personalized resources.