Myomas are benign tumors that develop in the uterus, cervix and outer surface of the uterus. The structure of the uterus is made up of smooth muscles. In this way, it contracts during birth and brings the baby out into the outside world. Its function in the body is to carry the pregnancy and ensure that the pregnancy ends with birth. Myomas also develop by originating from the smooth muscle tissue in the uterus. They consist of smooth muscles and connective tissue connecting them. Although they are commonly known as tumors, they contain uterine tissue. There is no evidence that they can turn into cancer. There is no definite information about why they form, and their connection to cancer is not known for sure. They can be of different sizes. They can grow from a pea to a grapefruit. Myomas, which are mostly round and pinkish in color, can develop in any area in the uterus. Each of these is defined as a myoma cell.
The prevalence of myomas in society is 20% in women aged 20-35, while this rate increases in older women and reaches 40%. In women in adolescence, myomas can be diagnosed quite rarely. Having myomas may not prevent a woman from getting pregnant. However, they may cause some problems during pregnancy. Because myomas may affect women differently depending on their location, size or number. In addition, some of the myomas may grow under the influence of hormones in the first months of pregnancy. It is quite difficult to determine the reactions of myomas during pregnancy in advance. Although women may have been affected by myomas during adulthood, they get rid of their effects as the myomas shrink when they reach menopause. This shows the connection between the formation of myomas and hormones.
The leading cause of hysterectomy, or removal of the uterus, in women is myomas, with a rate of 35%. A myoma affecting a woman's uterus may be solitary, or multiple myomas may also affect the woman.
How do myomas settle in the uterus?
Myomas located in the outer layer of the uterus (Subserous myomas)
Myomas located in the middle layer of the uterus (Intramural myomas)
Myomas located in the inner layer of the uterus (Submucous myomas)
What are the symptoms caused by myomas?
Myomas may not show symptoms in most women. These myomas may be detected during a gynecological examination performed for any reason. Some myomas may cause symptoms proportional to their growth. These symptoms include;
Excessive menstrual bleeding and irregular menstrual periods,
Bleeding and pain after sexual intercourse,
Complaints such as bleeding between two menstrual periods,
Frequent urge to urinate,
Swelling and growth in the abdomen,
Pain in the coccyx felt during menstruation or sexual intercourse,
Suffering from anemia due to excessive bleeding,
Myomas that put pressure on the tubes and cervix and block these areas may prevent pregnancy and cause the woman to suffer from infertility problems.
Myomas, which prevent the egg from implanting in the uterus after fertilization, cause the woman to experience recurrent miscarriages.
The hormonal balance in the body has a major impact on the formation and development of myomas. This result is supported by the fact that myomas develop during pregnancy and tend to shrink during menopause. For this reason, the estrogen hormone is particularly responsible for this. However, studies have shown that the progesterone hormone also has an effect on myomas.
Factors affecting the development of myoma
Myomas are more common in black women.
Never having given birth promotes the development of fibroids.
Starting menstruation at an early age,
Nutrition and obesity,
Genetic predisposition,
Alcohol addiction,
Hypertension,
These factors may cause women to have more fibroids. Regular exercise in women may reduce the development of fibroids. In addition, use of birth control pills may have a protective effect against fibroids. However, these effects are still in the research phase.
Do fibroids turn into cancer?
Myomas are generally considered benign tumors. There is no scientific evidence that they can turn into cancer. The tendency to become cancerous is very rare in these formations. Sarcoma type cancers that develop in these tissues have a very poor course.
What is the treatment method after myoma diagnosis?
Myomas can be easily diagnosed with gynecological examination and ultrasound. They can be diagnosed at an earlier stage, especially if there are symptoms caused by myomas. Diagnosing myomas in a woman is not a definite reason for surgery. A small percentage of myomas may require surgery. Surgery can be performed on myomas that are at a level that will disrupt the woman's quality of life, have severe symptoms, and may have a tendency to become cancerous, or on tumors that are not determined to be myomas at the time of diagnosis.
Surgical removal of myomas is generally recommended for women, especially for myomas that occur after menopause, for myomas that grow rapidly, for myomas that are very large at the time of diagnosis, and for myomas that tend to soften during examination.
If a woman is diagnosed with myoma while planning her pregnancy and the doctor thinks that the myoma will negatively affect the pregnancy, it is recommended that the myomas be removed before pregnancy.
When asymptomatic myomas are diagnosed in women, they are followed up at certain intervals, usually every 6 months, unless there is a special condition. During this period, surgical removal of myomas that grow or have other symptoms may be considered.
Do fibroids need to be removed?
Myomas, which are among the biggest problems of women of reproductive age, do not always need to be removed. The effects of myomas, especially those that do not cause much discomfort, can be temporarily relieved with medications. Since hormones are effective in the formation of myomas, the hormone suppressing effect of the drugs is used. Since the myoma will shrink during this treatment, its negative effects can be alleviated. However, when the drugs are stopped, the myomas return to their previous state in a short time. Surgical treatment provides definitive treatment for myomas. However, there may be a re-formation of myomas in the uterus.
Some women do not experience any problems in their lives despite having myomas. They may not even realize that they have them. Some women experience myoma symptoms intensely. They may experience especially heavy menstrual bleeding and problems getting pregnant. The triggering factor for these is the location, number and size of the myomas. Sometimes even a very small myoma can cause intense discomfort. Myomas of this type need to be removed surgically. Myomas can cause different effects depending on their location. Those inside the uterus can cause increased bleeding and difficulty getting pregnant. Myomas that are located on the uterine wall and are larger than 5 cm in size need to be removed surgically. The effects of myomas located outside the uterus occur with their growth. When they start to put pressure on the surrounding organs and tissues, they can cause discomfort that will affect the woman's daily life. The development of these problems is enough to make the decision for surgery.
Is it possible to treat fibroids with medication?
Unfortunately, myomas cannot be treated with medication. However, the effects of myomas can be alleviated. Medication can be used when needed only temporarily. This can help keep the myomas under control. In cases where myomas cause severe symptoms, medications can be used to temporarily relieve the woman. Medication can also be used before surgery in women who will undergo myoma removal surgery. Since the medications will shrink the myomas a little during this period, the surgery can be done more easily. Among the most effective methods of myoma treatment today are myomectomy surgery and myoma embolization. The woman's age and desire for pregnancy are taken into consideration in their application. Since there is a possibility of recurrence of myomas, hysterectomy surgery, in which the myomas are removed from the uterus, can also be performed.
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