Content Sources:
[1] Jia Songfeng, Li Jianling, Gong Hui. Clinical Research,2019,27(11):147-148.)
[2] Jiang Liping, Wang Yanjun. Preventive Medicine,2019,31(10):1061-1064.DOI:10.19485/j.cnki.issn2096-5087.2019.10.023.
[3] HE Xiujuan. Influencing factors of post-traumatic stress disorder after hysterectomy in patients with uterine fibroids[J].General Practice Nursing,2022,20(26):3698-3701.)
The uterus is an organ unique to women and is the birthplace of all life. But the doctor told Lin Shuang that she needed to have her uterus removed.
In 2013, Lin Shuang found a 1cm fibroid in her uterus during a physical examination, she nervously asked the doctor if it was cancer, and the doctor waved his hand to explain to her: "Uterine fibroids are the most common benign tumors in women, common in women of childbearing age aged 30-50, about one in four have uterine fibroids. Fibroids that are less than 5 cm asymptomatic can be observed regularly without surgery. ”
As a benign tumor, uterine fibroids mostly have no obvious symptoms, and if uterine fibroids continue to grow and are not treated, symptoms such as increased menstrual flow, prolonged menstruation, lower abdominal mass, and increased vaginal discharge may occur. Since there are bladders and rectum in the front and back of the uterus, when uterine fibroids grow to a certain size and compress the bladder, frequent urination, urinary retention, and constipation will occur when the uterine fibroids are compressed to the bladder.
Since then, every year in the physical examination, Lin Shuang will pay attention to the size of the uterine fibroid, which is almost 1cm a year at a rate of growth. By 2019, Lin Shuang's fibroids had finally grown to 5cm, but she still did not show any symptoms and did not undergo surgery. But at this moment, the advent of the epidemic suddenly disrupted everyone's schedule.
Her husband couldn't go home because of control, and after her mother-in-law was admitted to the ICU, Lin Shuang became the backbone of the family. Her son took online classes at home, Lin Shuang drove between home and hospital every day, and the repetitive life made Lin Shuang lose her concept of the passage of time, so that she stopped menstruating for a month without noticing. Lying in bed at night, my body is like a broken frame, and I have no time to take care of the fibroid in my uterus.
In February 2023, Lin Shuang felt that her menstrual flow had increased significantly, and she usually changed her sanitary napkin every 2 hours, but now she has to change her sanitary napkin almost every hour in the first three days of menstruation, and a menstrual period will last for 8-9 days. On this day, Lin Shuang was stir-frying in the kitchen, and suddenly there was a tingling pain in her lower abdomen, and Lin Shuang frowned in pain, which was a pain she had been familiar with for decades - dysmenorrhea.
She rubbed it around her lower abdomen with her left hand, and suddenly felt a lump below her navel, and there was a clear disconnect with her lower belly, and she could feel its edges. Lin Shuang thought for a while before remembering that there was still a fibroid to be treated in her stomach, and after the menstrual period was over, Lin Shuang went to the hospital for examination, but the results of the examination exceeded Lin Shuang's expectations.
Transvaginal ultrasound showed that an inhomogeneous echo was visible on the anterior wall of the uterus, with a size of about 9.3*8.2*7.6cm, clear borders, regular morphology, and possible liquefaction. Multiple hypoechoic nodules can be seen in the cervix, with the larger ones being about 1.1 cm in diameter. According to the results of the examination, the doctor recommended Lin Shuang to have a total hysterectomy.
Lin Shuang was frightened by this suggestion, this fibroid has been in her stomach for nearly 10 years, and the doctor didn't think it was serious because of the results of every physical examination before, but suddenly the uterus had to be removed? Lin Shuang couldn't accept that a part of her body was removed, and repeatedly asked the doctor if there was any other way.
The doctor explained to Lin Shuang that she had already shown symptoms of menstrual changes, and according to her ultrasound report, the fibroids had liquefied and had grown in the cervix, and there was a possibility of recurrence if the uterus was not completely removed. If there is no desire to have children, it is best to have the uterus removed.
Lin Shuang is 42 years old this year, although she has no need to have children, she is still undecided in her heart and has no way to make a final decision. She searched the Internet for changes after hysterectomy, and many people suggested not to cut it, saying that after the removal of the uterus, hormone levels may drop and there may be a cliff-like aging.
The first manifestation that will appear after the removal of the uterus is the cessation of menstruation, because menstruation is the periodic shedding of the endometrium, and once the uterus is removed, there will naturally be no more menstruation; Aging is reflected in two aspects, after hysterectomy, the ovaries at both ends will have endocrine imbalances leading to premature ovarian failure, and premature ovarian failure and menstrual cessation will also lead to early menopause, therefore, women after hysterectomy may have signs of aging.
After worrying for a long time, her husband made a decision for her. Getting sick is more terrible than aging. The day after the decision was made, the doctor performed a hysterectomy on Lin Shuang, and the severed fibroids were confirmed to be not cancerous after histopathological examination. On the second day after the operation, Lin Shuang was able to walk around the room, and she found that there were many patients similar to her, and asked the doctor curiously during the ward round: Why are women prone to uterine fibroids?
The doctor told her: "Uterine fibroids are estrogen-dependent tumors, and when there is too much estrogen in the body, it may lead to the occurrence of uterine fibroids. Although the incidence of uterine fibroids is high, only a small number of women need treatment, and if these four behaviors can be avoided at ordinary times, the occurrence of uterine fibroids can be effectively avoided. ”
1. Be cautious about using contraceptives
At present, the contraceptive pills on the market are basically female contraceptives, and almost all of them are used by the combination of progesterone and estrogen to inhibit ovulation and hinder the delivery of fertilized eggs to achieve contraception. Long-term use of birth control pills can lead to hormonal imbalances in a woman's body, which can increase the risk of uterine fibroids.
Moreover, sexual disorder will exacerbate the secretion of estrogen and increase the prevalence of uterine fibroids. Therefore, women should maintain a healthy private life and try to use other methods of contraception, such as wearing condoms, when there is no need to have children. Moreover, condoms can also isolate the transmission of STDs to a certain extent, which is beneficial to women's health.
2. Avoid sitting for long periods of time
Sitting for long periods of time may affect blood circulation in the uterus, leading to pelvic congestion, and poor blood circulation in the ovaries and cervix may induce gynecological diseases. In addition, sitting for a long time will also lead to poor ventilation of the genitals, increase the local temperature of the genitals, and make it easier to suffer from vaginitis or pelvic inflammatory disease.
The uterus presents a forward-tilted position in the pelvis, and prolonged sitting may cause changes in the morphology of the uterus, affecting the normal physiological function of the uterus. Good exercise habits should be developed in daily life, and sitting for a long time should be properly exercised, which is also good for the joints and spine.
3. Avoid getting emotional
People who often experience violent mood swings are prone to endocrine disorders, which lead to hormone secretion disorders and increase the risk of uterine fibroids. As the saying goes: "Don't be angry, there is no one to replace you when you are angry." "Anger will lead to stagnation of qi and blood in the human body, and women who are not menopausal will have poor menstrual blood, resulting in menstrual disorders. Anger not only hurts the body but also hurts the nerves, affecting women's sleep quality and immunity, making the body more susceptible to internal and external troubles.
Fourth, pay attention to your diet
Estrogen is produced by the ovaries and placenta of female animals, not only in human women, but also in food. The most common estrogen-rich food is royal jelly. Royal jelly contains a certain amount of animal estrogen, healthy women eat royal jelly in moderation, can supplement the estrogen in the body to a certain extent, suitable for patients with thin endometrium, less menstruation, low estrogen levels or menopause. Patients with uterine fibroids should pay attention to the amount of royal jelly consumed.
(Note: "Review: Why are women prone to uterine fibroids?") Usually to avoid these 4 behaviors, it is recommended to understand that the names of the people are pseudonyms, and some pictures are network pictures; Reprinting and plagiarism are prohibited in the article)