What is fibroids?
Fibroids are a health problem that scares every woman. Fibroids, which can occur in or around the uterus, are benign tumours with a smooth structure and no risk of cancer. Fibroids can be seen alone or in clusters in these areas. This problem, which can manifest itself with many symptoms, can be cleaned in a short time with early diagnosis. For this reason, it is recommended that women should know their bodies well and follow any changes that may occur. In case of problems such as pain in sexual intercourse, menstrual irregularity, unusual growth in the abdomen and non-menstrual bleeding, a specialist doctor should be contacted.
What are the Causes of Fibroids?
Myoma, which is formed by the unusual growth of the muscle layer of the uterus, can occur for many different reasons. The most common causes of fibroids in women are as follows:
- Hormonal changes: Abnormally high levels of progesterone or estrogen hormones in the blood of women are one of the most important reasons that trigger the formation of fibroids in the uterus. Since these hormones in question decrease during menopause, shrinkage of fibroids can be seen in menopausal women.
- Early puberty: The healthy menstrual period for girls is to start at the age of 11. In people who menstruate before the age of 11, the risk of fibroids in the future may increase much more.
- Genetic factors: People with a family history of fibroids may also be more likely to have fibroids.
- Obesity: Excessive weight gain can disrupt the entire balance of the body. Changes in values such as body mass index, fat mass, waist and height ratio and body fat percentage may increase the possibility of fibroids in the uterus.
- Consumption of red meat more than recommended: According to many studies, intensive consumption of red meat has a direct effect on fibroid formation.
- Age: Fibroids are more common in women between the ages of 30-40. While the existing fibroids shrink in women entering menopause, the likelihood of occurrence is also extremely low.
- Excessive caffeine and alcohol intake: Intensive alcohol and caffeine intake can cause many values in the body to be adversely affected. People who consume too much of these drinks have a higher risk of fibroids than people who do not consume them.
- Matrices formed outside the cell: Fibroids can be seen due to the changes caused by the intercellular substance, also called ECM, in the uterine tissue.
What are the Symptoms of Fibroids?
Fibroids, which are benign tumours that do not carry cancer risk, can show themselves in different symptoms in women. The most common myoma symptoms are as follows:
- Irregular menstrual cycles,
- Menstrual periods that last long and cause severe pain,
- Abnormal pain during sexual intercourse,
- Pelvic pain
- Persistent pain in the lower back and groin,
- Anaemia due to abdominal enlargement and bleeding,
- Vaginal discharge
- Constipation
- Frequent urination
Although fibroids manifest themselves with such symptoms in women, they can sometimes be seen only by coincidence with a doctor's examination. These symptoms can be fixed or removed depending on the decrease in hormone levels of women entering menopause. For such reasons, women are recommended to be regularly examined by a specialist doctor.
How is fibroids diagnosed?
Fibroids are mostly seen in women between the ages of 30-40 who consume too much red meat, who have entered early puberty, who consume large amounts of caffeine and alcohol, who have this disorder in their genetics and whose weight is above normal. The presence of fibroids can be detected with regular examinations. MRI and ultrasonography methods are applied to women with fibroid symptoms.
- Ultrasonography examination: Fibroids can be seen quite easily with ultrasound examination performed by a specialist doctor. Ultrasound examination can also determine the location and number of fibroids in the uterus.
- Examination with MRI: MRI is often preferred for a comprehensive imaging after ultrasound examination. With MRI, precise information about the number of fibroids, their localisation, cystic areas within the fibroid and the types of fibroids can be obtained. In addition to all these, the rate at which fibroids can shrink after appropriate treatment can also be determined by MRI. Therefore, MR examination has an extremely important place in the diagnosis of fibroids.
Fibroid Treatment
Although fibroids are benign tumours that do not carry cancer risk, they may require treatment in some cases. It can turn into a malignant tumour at a rate of 0.1% to 0.5%. Fibroids can be removed with an appropriate treatment method according to the age of the patient, the location, size and severity of the fibroids. Surgical interventions can be performed with hysterectomy and myomectomy surgeries in the treatment of fibroids. In these surgeries, fibroids are meticulously removed by a specialist doctor. However, nowadays, many patients are treated with non-surgical fibroid treatment. This non-surgical treatment, also known as fibroid embolisation, is much easier to apply and allows patients to return to daily life more quickly.
Fibroid embolisation is a treatment performed without any surgical intervention and has a high success rate. Patients are recommended to finish eating and drinking 8 hours before the procedure. In addition, all medications used by the patients should be shared with the doctor in detail before the procedure.
What should be considered after fibroid surgery?
During the recovery process after fibroid surgery, patients are expected to carefully follow all instructions given by the doctor. After open fibroid surgery, the recovery period of the operation area is much longer. Although it varies depending on the number and size of fibroids removed, the average recovery period after open fibroid surgery is 4-6 months. Closed fibroid surgery is more preferred because it has a faster recovery period. After closed fibroid surgery, it is recommended that people should not have sexual intercourse, lift heavy, exercise intensely and keep the operated area clean for 1 month. The infection problem experienced after the operation is mostly in the stitches. It is extremely important in this process that the stitches are dressed at the recommended periods, the necessary medications are used regularly and the person can rest as much as possible. In case of severe groin and abdominal pain, blood or discharge from the operated area after the operation, a doctor should definitely be consulted.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fibroids
Does Non-Surgical Fibroid Treatment Damage the Uterus?
Non-surgical fibroid treatment is applied to protect the uterus of patients with fibroids, especially in large numbers and large sizes. In these procedures, which have a very high success rate, no damage is caused to the uterus and the uterine environment.
How to Recognise Fibroid Pain?
Fibroid pain; It manifests itself with severe and long-lasting pain in the abdomen, groin and uterus of women. These pains are accompanied by intense bleeding in menstrual cycles and swelling in the abdomen. Women with this problem can easily distinguish fibroid pain from menstrual pain.
Is fibroids an obstacle to pregnancy?
Fibroids are benign tumours that do not carry cancer risk. If deemed appropriate by the doctor, these fibroids can be removed and the uterus can be cleaned. This situation does not adversely affect women to be pregnant.
What happens if fibroids are not treated?
Fibroids are usually seen in women between the ages of 30-40. Fibroids can disappear with menopause. Although it does not carry any life risk, it should be kept under regular control. In case of abnormal changes in size and shape, it must be treated. Otherwise, even if there is a small possibility of 0.1-0.5%, it can turn into cancer.
