The diagnosis “uterine fibroids” is often alarming for women and is often associated with the dreaded cancer. The first thing to remember about uterine fibroids is that uterine fibroids are a benign tumour of the smooth muscle of the uterus, the growth of which is regulated by sex hormones. Therefore, the mere presence of a fibroid is not an indication for surgical treatment. In today’s modern medicine, conservative treatment is increasingly used, while surgery is used only in extremely difficult cases.
30-50 years old – this age group is statistically the most likely to develop fibroids. However, large fibroids are also found in younger women.
What makes you suspect the formation of uterine fibroids? Each woman’s feelings on this matter may be individual, so it is necessary to monitor her body sensations, changes in the menstrual cycle and the amount of bleeding during menstruation. Some of the more common symptoms are:
- high blood volume during menstruation;
- bleeding between menstrual periods;
- unexplained increase in abdominal volume;
- strange abdominal distension;
- urinary problems;
- infertility;
- aching pain in the lower abdomen or loins.
Thus, uterine fibroids do not usually pose a serious risk to a woman’s health, but the site where these benign tumours form is important. For example, a myoma in the uterine cavity can pinch the fallopian tubes and disrupt their function, leading to heavy bleeding during menstruation (which can develop into anaemia) and infertility 🤰.
If the fibroids are not a problem and do not impair the quality of life, it is important to monitor them with periodic examinations 🧪 and a consultation with an obstetrician-gynaecologist at least once a year.