What are fibroids and when should we worry about them?

Fibroids are the most common benign tumors that appear in the wall of the uterus . They consist of a combination of muscle fibers and fibrous tissue and their size can reach from 1 to 16 cm. Their diagnosis is made in the context of a gynecological examination with ultrasound and, if necessary, with magnetic resonance or computed tomography. A woman may have one or multiple fibroids, of the same or different sizes.

The cause of their formation is not yet known, however it is believed that factors related to the appearance of fibroids are heredity and obesity. Fibroids occur mainly in women of reproductive age (25-45 years).

Are they related to cancer?

The chances of a fibroid developing into malignancy are minimal , but this does not mean that we should not regularly check the status of our fibroids through ultrasound.

In many cases, fibroids do not cause symptoms, especially if they are located in a part of the uterus where they do not interfere with any other organ. In this case, a woman can regularly check her fibroid without having to do anything further about it.

However, when they do show symptoms, they vary and depend on their size and number. The most common symptoms are pain , bloating in the abdominal area, heavy blood loss and severe pain during menstruation , bleeding between periods, pain during sexual intercourse , frequent urination and constipation.

What problems can they create?

In addition to the impact that the symptoms of fibroids have on a woman's quality of life, depending on their size and location, they may cause fertility problems by blocking the fallopian tubes, preventing the movement of sperm , or causing difficulties in implantation. implantation of embryos during the in vitro fertilization process. Sometimes they may also cause miscarriages during the first trimester of pregnancy.

How are they treated?

Treatment depends on several factors, such as the woman's age and the size of the fibroids . For small fibroids, only ultrasound monitoring is usually recommended, but if they are longer than 5 cm, surgical removal is necessary. Sometimes medication is given to reduce their size before surgical removal, which is performed laparoscopically. An overnight stay in the hospital is usually required after the operation.

New fibroids may reappear after surgery, so regular gynecological check-ups should continue as normal.

What about fibroids and pregnancy?

So far, opinions about their effect on pregnancy are conflicting , and any problems they may cause, such as premature birth or premature detachment, are due, among other things, to their size, number, and location.

In any case, if you are experiencing severe symptoms of fibroids, a visit to your gynecologist is necessary for a detailed examination and assessment of any problems they may be causing you.