Uterine fibroids are the most common benign tumors in the female reproductive organs, commonly found in women aged 30-50. Although uterine fibroids are benign tumors, they still pose many risks to women. This article will provide a detailed introduction to the hazards, diagnostic methods, and treatment methods of uterine fibroids, helping women better understand and cope with this disease.
1. Hazards of uterine fibroids
(1) Compression symptoms: When the fibroids grow forward or backward, they may compress the bladder, urethra or rectum, resulting in frequent urination, dysuria, urinary retention or constipation. If the fibroids grow to both sides, they may form broad ligament fibroids, which can cause ureteral or renal pelvis hydronephrosis when compressing the ureter, and lead to lower limb edema and other problems.
(2) Infertility or miscarriage: When fibroid tissue appears at the corner of the uterus, it compresses the entrance of the fallopian tubes. Due to this situation, the sperm cannot smoothly combine with the egg, thereby affecting conception. Due to uterine deformation, even if conception is successful, there is a possibility of miscarriage.
(3) Pain: Some women with uterine fibroids may experience severe abdominal pain, as well as symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and increased white blood cells.
(4) Gynecological inflammation: Uterine fibroids can cause pelvic congestion and infection. After infection, some patients may develop abscesses in their fibroid tissue. At the same time, the bacteria causing uterine fibroids can infect nearby organs, leading to gynecological diseases such as pelvic inflammatory disease and pelvic inflammatory disease.
2. Diagnostic methods for uterine fibroids
(1) Physical examination: Doctors can preliminarily understand the size, quantity, and location of uterine fibroids through abdominal palpation and gynecological examination.
(2) Ultrasound or B-ultrasound examination: Ultrasound examination is one of the most commonly used examination methods, which can clearly display the location, size, quantity, and relationship with surrounding tissues of uterine fibroids.
(3) Pelvic MRI examination: For complex uterine fibroid lesions, especially when the lesion relationship and detailed anatomical information of the mass are clearly defined before surgery, MRI examination is more accurate than ultrasound examination.
(4) Vaginal ultrasound: suitable for those fibroids in the pelvic cavity.
(5) Endometrial biopsy: For patients with unexplained bleeding, endometrial cancer is excluded through biopsy.
(6) Gynecological examination: For cervical fibroids, cervical endoscopy can be used for examination.
3. Treatment methods for uterine fibroids
(1) Drug therapy: For patients with mild symptoms, medication can be used for treatment. Common medications include steroid drugs, hemostatic drugs, etc. Drug therapy can alleviate symptoms, but it cannot cure uterine fibroids.
(2) Surgical treatment: Surgical treatment is a common method for treating uterine fibroids, mainly including myomectomy (myomectomy), uterine fibroid embolization (interventional therapy), and hysterectomy (including total hysterectomy or uterine fibroid delivery preservation surgery, etc.). Surgical treatment is suitable for patients with large masses, accompanied by severe symptoms, or affecting fertility.
(3) Interventional therapy: Interventional therapy involves injecting embolic agents into the uterine fibroid lesion through the vascular pathway, interrupting its blood supply and causing the mass to shrink or die. Interventional therapy may be an effective option for patients who are not suitable for surgical treatment.
In short, timely and effective treatment and self-management, as well as a positive and healthy lifestyle, will help alleviate the potential adverse effects of uterine fibroids and enable patients to regain a healthy and happy life.