Reasons for the sudden enlargement of uterine fibroids

Written by Liu Jian Wei
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on September 29, 2024
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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.

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Written by Wang Jing Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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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.

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Written by Li Lin
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Can you eat sea cucumber with uterine fibroids?

People with uterine fibroids can eat sea cucumber. The cause of uterine fibroids is not very clear at present. Studies have shown that uterine fibroids may be caused by chromosomal genetic misplacement in the body. However, since most uterine fibroids shrink after menopause, it is considered that uterine fibroids are related to increased levels of sex hormones in the body. Sea cucumber is a food that can enhance the immune system and has no relation to the formation of uterine fibroids. Therefore, people with uterine fibroids can eat sea cucumber.

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Written by Shen Li Wen
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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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.

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Written by Shen Li Wen
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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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.

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Written by Wang Jing Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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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.