Post-surgical diet for uterine fibroids

Written by Yan Qiao
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on September 02, 2024
00:00
00:00

Before passing gas after a myomectomy, we must avoid foods that produce gas, such as milk and soy milk, and only consume small amounts of water and clear soup. Once the patient has passed gas, they can be advised to eat easily digestible foods, such as congee and noodles. After the patient has had a bowel movement, they can resume a normal diet, but it should be light and avoid irritating foods, such as those high in oil, salt, and spices, as well as some stimulating beverages. After discharge, it is recommended that the patient eat more vegetables and high-fiber fruits, and avoid gas-producing foods, which typically include legumes, sweet potatoes, potatoes, and so on.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Liu Jian Wei
Obstetrics and Gynecology
44sec home-news-image

Does uterine fibroids require the removal of the uterus?

Whether a hysterectomy is needed for uterine fibroids depends on the specific circumstances of the patient. If the fibroids are large and numerous, making the preservation of the uterus unnecessary, then a hysterectomy can be considered. Additionally, the decision should take into account the patient's age, reproductive desires, and personal preference. If the patient is older, has no desire for children, and wishes to have a hysterectomy, then it is feasible to remove the uterus under these circumstances. However, if the patient's condition does not mandate the removal of the uterus, the decision should be made in conjunction with the patient's wishes.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Shen Li Wen
Obstetrics and Gynecology
58sec home-news-image

Uterine fibroid examination items

When suspecting that a woman has uterine fibroids, the first step is to perform a routine gynecological examination by opening the vagina with a speculum. This is necessary because some women's uterine fibroids are located on the cervix; at this point, it is possible to see an increased size of the cervix and the fibroid may be visible protruding from the cervix. Moreover, during the bimanual gynecological examination, one may find that the uterus is enlarged and irregularly shaped with localized protrusions. Generally, the mobility is quite good. Additionally, some auxiliary examinations can be combined, such as the most common transvaginal ultrasound or pelvic abdominal ultrasound. For suspected submucosal uterine fibroids, a hysteroscopic examination can also be performed for diagnosis.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Shen Li Wen
Obstetrics and Gynecology
49sec home-news-image

How can uterine fibroids be reduced?

Uterine fibroids in women are closely related to the levels of estrogen in the body. Some women have relatively small uterine fibroids with no clinical symptoms and can be observed dynamically. Generally, after menopause, when the levels of estrogen decrease, the size of uterine fibroids in these women can naturally shrink. Additionally, certain medications can be used for treatment, such as drugs from the GnRH-a class, which act by causing ovarian ablation. This leads to a decrease in estrogen levels in the body and can also reduce the size of the uterine fibroids. Interventional treatments can also be employed to block the blood supply to the uterine fibroids, reducing their blood supply and consequently decreasing their size.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Wang Jing Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
57sec home-news-image

How to manage uterine fibroids

The occurrence and development of uterine fibroids are mainly related to congenital factors and have little to do with postnatal lifestyle conditions. Therefore, when uterine fibroids are detected, there is no need for any specific conditioning. Various traditional Chinese medicines, herbal treatments, or hormonal drugs do not have a definite curative effect on uterine fibroids, and so far, there is no specific medication for the treatment of uterine fibroids. When uterine fibroids are detected, the main considerations are whether they cause symptoms such as excessive bleeding, anemia, or whether they are increasing in size and causing compression symptoms on the surrounding tissues. Uterine fibroids without any symptoms generally only require regular physical examinations and may shrink and disappear after menopause.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Wang Jing Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
56sec home-news-image

Do fibroids cause stomach pain?

Uterine fibroids, if merely present and not too large, generally do not cause abdominal pain. If there are symptoms of abdominal pain, it is necessary to check whether there is pelvic inflammatory disease by examining if there is tenderness in the uterus and adnexal areas. Uterine fibroids, if accompanied by adenomyosis, can also cause abdominal pain, particularly progressive dysmenorrhea symptoms. Therefore, if there is abdominal pain, it is essential to first perform an ultrasound to understand the specifics of the uterine fibroids, whether there are other masses in the pelvic area that might be twisted, and also to check for inflammation, the presence of an intrauterine device, etc.