Fibroids are smooth, non-cancerous tumors that can develop in or around the uterus. The cause of fibroids is not completely clear, but risk factors include genes, obesity and advancing age, as fibroids can be inherited in the family.
Symptoms of Fibroids
Symptoms of fibroids are obvious symptoms. A number of symptoms can be easily observed to understand whether a person has a myoma or not. One of these symptoms is painful, heavy and prolonged menstrual bleeding. These menstrual bleeding may be a sign of fibroids. Therefore, in such a case, it is very important to immediately consult a doctor who has expertise on the subject.
Symptoms of fibroids can also be observed in other ways. We can list them as follows:
- Increased abdominal pain due to fibroid pressure, feeling of pressure
- Complications related to pregnancy or infertility
- Painful sexual intercourse or functional impairment of reproduction
- Frequent urination, incomplete urination and urinary incontinence
- Constipation and similar intestinal disorders
In the event that you see at least one of these problems, even faintly, it will be very important to contact the nearest health unit. Early diagnosis is always very important.
Causes of Fibroids
The causes of fibroids are not yet fully established. But there are risk factors. One of them is related to the family. A family history of fibroids can directly affect the presence of fibroids in a person. In other words, one of the causes of fibroids is genetic inheritance. For this reason, it is important to pay attention to whether anyone in the family, i.e. those related by blood, has fibroids.
Obesity is also among the causes of fibroids. Obesity, which is among the causes of many diseases, also significantly increases the risk of fibroid tumors. Therefore, dealing with obesity is very important for health.
Apart from these, one of the causes of fibroids is advancing age. The risk of different diseases and health problems increases with age. Fibroids are among these health problems. Advancing age can cause fibroids.
How is fibroids diagnosed?
A person cannot realize that they have a problem such as fibroids unless they see the symptoms. Even if she sees the symptoms, she cannot diagnose fibroids. Fibroids can only be diagnosed by specialists in the field. Different methods can be tried for this.
A number of tests and procedures are used to diagnose fibroids. These are as follows:
Blood Tests Laboratory testing of the blood can detect proteins produced by fibroids. In this case, the person may be diagnosed with fibroids or a diagnosis of uterine fibroids. The different proteins diagnosed also help the doctor to get an idea of the severity of the condition.
Urine tests Urine tests are also used to detect proteins produced by fibroids. Urine tests are carried out in a laboratory environment and the person is diagnosed with fibroids or myoma in the light of the detected proteins.
Bone Marrow Examination: Examination of bone marrow also helps to diagnose fibroids. For this, a bone marrow sample must first be taken. This is done with the help of a needle.
MRI For a definitive diagnosis of uterine fibroids, the doctor will first learn about the patient's symptoms. Ultrasounds can then be used to make a definitive diagnosis. In this way, it can be easily detected. However, if the mass is large, it may not be precisely selected. For this, an MRI is performed. MRI can provide deep information about soft tissues.
Fibroid Treatment Methods
Fibroids are treated according to the existing condition. These conditions can be listed as the patient's age, the amount and location of fibroids, the location of the fibroid, and whether the patient wants to have children or not. The physician can perform fibroid treatment in line with these conditions. One thing to note in this case is that the treatment is individualized. A treatment method that works well for one patient may not work for another. There are many methods of fibroids treatment. We can list them below:
Medication Therapy
Today, there is no medicine that can eliminate fibroids or prevent fibroids from progressing. Needle therapy can be used, but this is not a permanent treatment. The drugs used in the treatment of fibroids cause menopause, albeit temporarily. It can also cause side effects such as osteoporosis and is therefore not recommended for use for longer than 6 months.
Non-Surgical Observation
Fibroids that do not cause any complaints and are small in size can be observed at 3-6 month intervals.
Surgery
Surgically, 3 different methods are used: open, closed and hysteroscopic.
Open method (Laparotomy)
The fibroid is removed through a caesarean section approximately 9 or 10 centimeters deep on the abdomen. Depending on the size or location of the fibroid, the depth or direction of the umbilical incision is determined.
Closed method (Laparoscopic)
There is no large incision as seen in open surgery. A 1 centimeter cut is made through the belly button and then an optical camera is inserted. The surgery is completed with 2-3 and 3-10 millimeter cuts made in the abdomen. Laparoscopic, i.e. closed method surgeries are more advantageous for the patient. Because in this case, it is cosmetically more positive with less hospitalization, less pain and shorter recovery time. However, this situation is not the same in every patient. It may not be a suitable method for every patient.
Hysteroscopic
It is similar to the closed method, but no cutting is done outside. A device is inserted through the cervix and fibroids are removed from the inside. There are no cut marks on the abdomen. The hysteroscopic method, which is a highly effective method, is a method that brings a smile to both the patient and the physician.
Complaints After Fibroid Surgery
Complaints after fibroid surgery are as follows:
- Bleeding risk
- Swelling in the groin
- Pain in the groin
- Weakness and fatigue
- Infection of the wound
- Menstrual irregularity
In case of these problems, it is important to consult a doctor as soon as possible and get the necessary information.
