Uterine fibroids are a common female disease caused by benign tumors composed of smooth muscle and connective tissue in the uterus, which can affect women's physical and mental health. This article will introduce the causes and treatment methods of uterine fibroids, hoping to help you better cope with this disease.
1、 The etiology of uterine fibroids is not yet fully understood, but research suggests that their occurrence may be related to female sex hormones.
2、 Symptoms of uterine fibroids
Patients' symptoms may vary depending on the size, location, and number of fibroids. Most patients do not have obvious symptoms, which may be detected during routine examinations. The following are some common symptoms of uterine fibroids: (1) Increased menstrual flow and prolonged menstrual period: These are the most common symptoms of uterine fibroids. Long term increased menstrual flow can lead to secondary anemia, symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, and palpitations.
（2） Lower abdominal pain: Uterine fibroids may cause pelvic pain, including lower abdominal prolapse, lower back pain, and worsening during menstruation. When the fibroid undergoes degeneration or the subserosal fibroid pedicle twists, it can cause acute lower abdominal pain, accompanied by symptoms such as vomiting and fever.
（3） Abdominal lump: When the fibroid is large, a lump may be palpable in the abdomen.
（4） Symptoms of compression: Fibroids may enlarge and compress the bladder, causing urinary frequency, urgency, difficulty urinating, ureteral dilation, hydronephrosis, etc. Compression of the rectum may cause discomfort such as constipation and prolapse.
（5） Increased vaginal discharge: Fibroids can cause an increase in the area of the uterine cavity, increased secretion of endometrial glands, and increased vaginal discharge due to pelvic congestion. If fibroids become infected, there may be a large amount of purulent discharge. If fibroids develop ulceration, necrosis, and bleeding, there may be bloody or purulent vaginal discharge.
（6） Other: Larger fibroids may affect the implantation of fertilized eggs or deform the uterine cavity, leading to infertility or miscarriage.
3、 What are the treatment methods for uterine fibroids?
（1） Observation and treatment
For patients with smaller uterine fibroids (diameter less than 5 centimeters) and no obvious symptoms, doctors may recommend observation and treatment. Especially for postmenopausal women, fibroids can shrink and become smaller after menopause. It is necessary to have a check-up every 3-6 months to determine if the fibroids have enlarged or caused other problems. The benefit of observation therapy is that it does not require surgery and avoids surgical trauma. But patients need to strictly follow the doctor's advice for regular check ups.
（2） Drug therapy
Drug therapy is another method of treating uterine fibroids. Commonly used drugs include oral contraceptives, mifepristone or some traditional Chinese patent medicines and simple preparations; These drugs can inhibit the secretion of ovarian hormones, thereby slowing down the growth rate of uterine fibroids. In addition, there are some drugs that can directly act on tumor cells, such as gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogs. It should be noted that the effectiveness of medication varies from person to person, and some patients may need to take medication for a long time to achieve the expected results. However, some drugs can be harmful to the human body if used for a long time, so medication should be strictly taken under the guidance of a doctor.
（3） Interventional therapy
Interventional therapy is a non-surgical treatment method that reduces the blood supply of fibroids by blocking the uterine arteries and branches, thereby delaying the growth of fibroids and relieving symptoms. However, this method may cause ovarian dysfunction and increase the risk of potential pregnancy complications, and is generally not recommended for women with fertility requirements.
（4） Surgical treatment
Surgical treatment is currently one of the most effective methods for treating uterine fibroids. Surgery can be performed through traditional open surgery or laparoscopic surgery. Open surgery requires a larger incision in the abdomen, which takes a longer recovery time; Laparoscopic surgery, on the other hand, is a minimally invasive procedure performed through several small incisions, resulting in less postoperative pain and faster recovery. For larger fibroids with severe symptoms and surgical indications, surgery may be a better choice.
For some fibroids that grow in the uterine cavity and are not particularly large, hysteroscopic resection is also a good option.
In summary, uterine fibroids are a common gynecological disease. Understanding their causes, symptoms, and treatment methods, and choosing a reasonable treatment plan can help restore women's physical and mental health.