Let you know about "the first gynecological tumor" - uterine fibroids

Author: Yu Ge Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital

Reviewer: Niu Ming, deputy chief physician, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital

In busy modern life, women's health is often neglected for various reasons. Among them, uterine fibroids, as a common gynecological disease, is even dubbed the "No. 1 gynecological tumor". This is not only because of its high incidence rate among women, but also because of the many health problems it may cause. So, what kind of disease is uterine fibroids? How can we effectively prevent and treat it? Next, let's learn about uterine fibroids.

1. Uterine fibroids: understanding its true nature

What are uterine fibroids?

Uterine fibroids, also known as uterine leiomyoma, are benign tumors that grow in the uterus. They are mainly formed by the proliferation of uterine smooth muscle tissue, which is fundamentally different from cancer, so there is no need to panic. However, this does not mean that we can take it lightly, because the presence of uterine fibroids does have an impact on women's health.

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Why is it called “the number one gynecological tumor”?

There are two main reasons why uterine fibroids are called "the number one gynecological tumor": one is the high incidence rate, especially among women aged 30 to 50; the other is that the symptoms it may cause are wide and diverse, including irregular menstruation, lower abdominal pain, increased leucorrhea, infertility and other compression symptoms.

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2. Prevention: Start from the details of life

Prevention is particularly important for uterine fibroids, a common gynecological disease. The following are some simple and easy preventive measures to help female friends stay away from the trouble of uterine fibroids.

1. Maintain a healthy lifestyle

Exercise regularly: Exercise can not only strengthen your body and improve your immunity, but also promote blood circulation and help maintain the balance of hormone levels in the body. It is recommended to do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise per week, such as brisk walking, jogging, swimming, etc.

Maintain a normal weight: Obesity is a risk factor for uterine fibroids. By eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly, keeping your weight within a normal range can reduce the risk of uterine fibroids.

Eat a balanced diet: Eat more vegetables, fruits, whole grains and protein-rich foods such as lean meat, fish, beans, etc. Avoid excessive intake of high-fat, high-calorie and spicy foods.

2. Regular physical examinations

Regular physical examinations are the key to early detection of uterine fibroids. It is recommended that women undergo at least one gynecological examination each year, including imaging examinations such as gynecological ultrasound examinations, so that possible uterine fibroids can be detected and treated in a timely manner.

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3. Pay attention to family medical history

If there is a history of gynecological diseases in the family, the risk of personal illness may increase. Such women should pay more attention to their physical condition and have regular gynecological examinations and hormone level monitoring.

4. Maintain mental health

Long-term mental stress and negative emotions may also affect hormone levels in the body, thereby increasing the risk of uterine fibroids. Therefore, maintaining a positive and optimistic attitude and learning to self-regulate emotions are equally important for preventing uterine fibroids.

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3. Treatment: Scientific response to protect health

Although uterine fibroids are benign and most patients do not have obvious symptoms, if the symptoms are severe or the fibroids are large, active treatment measures are needed.

1. Medication

Drug treatment is mainly used to relieve symptoms, such as regulating hormone levels, relieving pain, etc. However, it should be noted that drug treatment cannot make fibroids disappear, but can only relieve symptoms and control the progression of the disease. Therefore, when using drug treatment, you should strictly follow the doctor's advice and have regular checkups.

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2. Surgery

For patients with uterine fibroids who have severe symptoms, large fibroids, or fertility issues, surgical treatment may be a necessary option. Surgical methods include myomectomy and total hysterectomy. The former is suitable for patients who wish to retain their uterus and can be performed through minimally invasive surgical methods such as laparoscopy or hysteroscopy; the latter is suitable for patients who have no fertility requirements or complicated fibroid conditions. Surgical treatment can completely remove fibroids, but it may also bring certain risks and complications, so it should be chosen with caution.

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Uterine fibroids are a common gynecological disease. Although they are known as the "first gynecological tumor", as long as we fully understand the relevant knowledge and take scientific and effective prevention and treatment measures, we can effectively cope with this challenge. I hope this article can provide useful reference and help for the majority of female friends. Let us pay attention to and protect women's health together.