How to check for uterine fibroids?

Written by Jia Rui

Obstetrics and Gynecology

Updated on September 24, 2024

00:00

00:00

Uterine fibroids are a type of benign tumor of the female reproductive organs. Uterine fibroids are a common gynecological disease and are frequently occurring; they can be clearly seen via abdominal ultrasound. Uterine fibroids mainly form due to the proliferation of uterine smooth muscle cells, with a small amount of fibrous connective tissue existing as a supportive tissue. If the fibroids do not exceed five centimeters and do not affect menstruation or present any clinical symptoms, conservative treatment can be considered, with attention to regular follow-up examinations.

Other Voices

home-news-image

Written by Sun Shan Shan

Obstetrics and Gynecology

1min 5sec

home-news-image

What should I do about uterine fibroids?

Uterine fibroids first require examining the location and size of the fibroids. Uterine fibroids can be classified into subserosal fibroids, submucosal fibroids, and intramural fibroids. If it is a submucosal fibroid, no matter the size of the fibroid, it is necessary to promptly perform a hysteroscopic submucosal fibroid surgery. If the submucosal fibroid is large, it may be necessary to perform a hysterectomy through abdominal surgery. For intramural and subserosal fibroids, if the fibroid's diameter exceeds five centimeters or if the fibroid is growing rapidly, surgical treatment is recommended at that time, because there is a chance of malignant transformation in uterine fibroids, which ranges from 0.2% to 0.3%. Therefore, once such a situation occurs, surgical treatment is required.

home-news-image

Written by Wang Jing Hua

Obstetrics and Gynecology

55sec

home-news-image

Do uterine fibroids have a genetic component?

Uterine fibroids indeed have a certain hereditary quality, similar to some other tumors or diseases, with a definite familial genetic component. However, the condition of uterine fibroids varies from person to person and is also related to acquired factors such as estrogen levels. The majority of uterine fibroids are simply carried, with the incidence in the population reaching over 20%. Many people with uterine fibroids do not need to worry about them, and no surgery is required, as regular check-ups are sufficient. After menopause, some fibroids may shrink and gradually disappear on their own. Some uterine fibroids during the reproductive years will ultimately require surgery, and there is also a small chance of needing surgery after menopause.

home-news-image

Written by Liu Jian Wei

Obstetrics and Gynecology

54sec

home-news-image

Reasons for the sudden enlargement of uterine fibroids

Uterine fibroids generally grow slowly. In clinical practice, if there is a sudden increase in the size of uterine fibroids in a short period, it is recommended that the patient immediately seek medical attention at a local hospital to ascertain the cause. Commonly observed reasons for an increase in the size of uterine fibroids include: firstly, if the uterine fibroids are tending towards malignancy, they can increase in size rapidly. Additionally, during pregnancy, under the influence of high levels of hormones in the body, pregnant women may also experience a sudden increase in the size of uterine fibroids, accompanied by red degeneration.

home-news-image

Written by Wang Jing Hua

Obstetrics and Gynecology

40sec

home-news-image

How often should uterine fibroids be checked?

The follow-up timing after uterine fibroids depends on the current size of the fibroids and the symptoms. If the fibroids are particularly small and there are no symptoms, a follow-up after one year is generally acceptable. However, if during the follow-up the fibroids are found to have grown quickly, or if there are symptoms such as increased menstrual flow or a shortened cycle, a follow-up every six months may be warranted. Most uterine fibroids do not cause any symptoms and simply exist; they tend to grow gradually with age and generally shrink and disappear after menopause.

home-news-image

Written by Fan Li Ping

Obstetrics and Gynecology

51sec

home-news-image

Do uterine fibroids require surgery?

Whether or not surgery is needed for uterine fibroids primarily depends on clinical symptoms, with clinical symptoms as the criterion. If the fibroids are small but affect menstruation, such as heavy periods or noticeable prolongation and increase in menstrual flow, surgery might be necessary. Another consideration for surgery is if the fibroid noticeably enlarges in a short period, and there's a suspicion of malignant transformation. Additionally, if there are significant symptomatic compressions clinically, surgery might also be considered. Therefore, if someone has uterine fibroids, it's important to consult with a gynecologist who can assess the situation based on ultrasound and physical examination to determine whether surgery is required.