Some women after the ultrasound examination, see the results on the four words "uterine fibroids", feel that the sky is going to collapse.
How serious is this "tumor"? Will it become cancerous?
In fact, uterine fibroids are the most common pelvic benign tumors in women, which are formed by the proliferation of smooth muscle cells in the uterine muscle layer and connective tissue.
For women of childbearing age, there are generally about 12%-25% of uterine fibroids with clinical manifestations.
It can be mainly divided into submucosal fibroids, subserous fibroids, interfidal fibroids, and fibroids in special areas, such as cervical fibroids.
In general, most of the uterine fibroids are relatively small, and there are no symptoms, many people do not go to ultrasound, it is impossible to detect that they have uterine fibroids.
However, there are also a small number of uterine fibroids that will grow larger, more numerous, or not in a good position, resulting in some symptoms, such as:
Affects fertility: Increases the chances of difficulty conceiving, or more than one unintended miscarriage that may be associated with fibroids.
Menstrual changes: excessive menstrual flow, prolonged menstrual periods, or non-menstrual bleeding.
Pelvic compression symptoms: such as dysmenorrhea, frequent urination, constipation, conjugal life pain, etc.
Symptoms of local irritation: such as abdominal pain and bloating, the abdomen can be touched by a lump, etc.
At present, no research has found the exact cause of uterine fibroids, but the incidence of the disease in women of childbearing age is relatively high, and it generally shrinks during menopause.
In terms of treatment, depending on the different types of fibroids, there are roughly two types:
Asymptomatic fibroids: no treatment is required
Most uterine fibroids are asymptomatic and are usually inadvertently detected by women during routine examinations such as physical examinations.
Most of these uterine fibroids are benign tumors, which may grow or shrink, so if women do not have fertility requirements, they do not need special treatment, and after menopause, most uterine fibroids will naturally atrophy.
You only need to follow the doctor's instructions, do a B ultrasound review every 3 to 6 months, and observe the change in the size of the fibroids.
However, studies have also shown that eating a lot of beef or other red meat and marinated ham may increase the risk of fibroids, and eating more green vegetables and fruits will reduce the risk of fibroids. Therefore, pay attention to a balanced diet in daily life, eat more fresh vegetables and fruits, and eat meat in moderation.
If the woman has reproductive needs, then in principle, uterine fibroids larger than 4 cm can be removed by surgery. However, the specific situation also needs to go to the hospital, and the professional doctor will make a comprehensive judgment according to the woman's reproductive age, specific location, ovarian function, urgency, etc.
Symptomatic fibroids: treatment is recommended
In general, it is rare for benign fibroids to progress into malignant uterine sarcoma, but if during the review process, the volume of uterine fibroids increases too quickly in a short period of time, or is accompanied by pain and bleeding symptoms, affecting normal life, it should still be treated in time.
Surgery may need to be considered if any of the following conditions occur:
Fibroids are large or numerous, causing symptoms of bladder and rectal compression, such as frequent urination and constipation.
Anemia caused by excessive menstrual flow, through conservative treatment such as drugs, the effect is not significant.
Women have fertility requirements and have significant submucosal fibroids are found.
Severe abdominal pain, conjugal life pain, or acute abdominal pain due to torsion of pedunculosis.
Uterine fibroids cause infertility or frequent miscarriages.
Sarcoma lesions are suspected.
As mentioned earlier, uterine fibroids can have an impact on pregnancy, but the specific effect results will be different from the location, size, and number of fibroids.
In the vast majority of cases, asymptomatic uterine fibroids generally do not affect pregnancy, so do not worry too much, relax your heart and prepare for pregnancy.
However, there are still a small number of fibroids that may increase the risk of infertility, such as:
Uterine fibroids with a large volume that cause severe deformation of the uterus (often refers to uterine fibroids with a diameter of more than 5 cm);
submucosal fibroids (refers to uterine fibroids that protrude to the lining of the uterus);
A small number of specially located fibroids (such as larger cervical fibroids);
If a woman has these conditions and has already had difficulty preparing for pregnancy, surgery to remove fibroid tissue may be considered when other causes have been ruled out through professional examination.
If there are no women with these conditions, usually menstruation is normal, then the routine preparation for pregnancy is good.