Fibroid Treatment

One of the most common health problems in women is uterine fibroids. Fibroids are benign tumors that develop in the muscular layer of the uterus. They are most commonly seen in women between the ages of 30 and 40. (1)

Fibroids generally develop due to hormonal factors and tend to shrink after menopause. However, it is very important to monitor fibroids that continue to grow after menopause in order to rule out malignant transformation. (2)

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Although fibroids are usually benign, they can lead to serious health problems if not monitored regularly.

What Are the Symptoms of Fibroids?

The symptoms caused by fibroids and their severity may vary from patient to patient. Some women may not experience any symptoms. However, others may experience abnormal bleeding, painful menstrual periods, back pain, painful sexual intercourse, and infertility. (3)

Additionally, some fibroids can create pressure on the bladder due to their size, preventing it from expanding properly. This can lead to frequent urination.

One of the most important reasons for treating fibroids is that they may pose a barrier to pregnancy, even if they do not cause symptoms. Especially fibroids located close to the inner lining of the uterus can interfere with the implantation of the fertilized egg. (4)

For more detailed information about the effects of fibroids on pregnancy and causes of infertility, you can review our article on causes of infertility.

What Are the Diagnostic Methods for Fibroids?

For more information about fibroid monitoring and pregnancy planning, you can review our article on pregnancy follow-up.

Fibroids are generally detected during routine gynecological examinations. However, for a definitive diagnosis, the patient’s medical history must be evaluated and a physical examination must be performed by a physician. (5)

In most cases, diagnosis is made via ultrasound. If the fibroid is large or the uterine structure cannot be clearly assessed, MRI may be required to rule out other conditions and to obtain detailed information about soft tissues.

How Are Fibroids Treated?

If fibroids do not cause symptoms and do not pose a barrier to pregnancy, regular monitoring is sufficient. However, if symptoms are present, treatment should be determined based on the characteristics of the fibroid. (6)

If surgery is required, the treatment plan depends on the patient’s age, symptoms, number and location of fibroids, and whether the patient desires to have children.

If the patient has not had children and wishes to conceive in the future, the fibroid is usually removed while preserving the uterus. Another option is hysterectomy (removal of the uterus), especially if the patient has completed childbearing.

Hysteroscopy: This procedure is used to remove small fibroids located inside the uterine cavity that cause pain or heavy bleeding.

Laparoscopic Surgery: In this minimally invasive technique, fibroids larger than 4–5 cm are removed. It is especially preferred in cases of infertility.

Open Surgery: This method is generally preferred for large fibroids.

The choice of treatment depends on the characteristics of the fibroids, the patient’s age, and the severity of symptoms.

The treatment process is individualized, and with proper planning, success rates can be significantly improved.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

References

1. World Health Organization (WHO).
2. NHS.
3. Mayo Clinic.
4. Cleveland Clinic.
5. ACOG.
6. NCBI.