Do uterine fibroids have a genetic component?

Written by Wang Jing Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on September 21, 2024
00:00
00:00

Uterine fibroids indeed have a certain hereditary quality, similar to some other tumors or diseases, with a definite familial genetic component. However, the condition of uterine fibroids varies from person to person and is also related to acquired factors such as estrogen levels. The majority of uterine fibroids are simply carried, with the incidence in the population reaching over 20%. Many people with uterine fibroids do not need to worry about them, and no surgery is required, as regular check-ups are sufficient. After menopause, some fibroids may shrink and gradually disappear on their own. Some uterine fibroids during the reproductive years will ultimately require surgery, and there is also a small chance of needing surgery after menopause.

Other Voices

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 Zhao Xiao Dong
Obstetrics and Gynecology
49sec home-news-image

How many days after uterine fibroid surgery can I wash my hair?

Uterine fibroid surgery, including myomectomy and hysterectomy, does not require the postpartum practice of "sitting the month," and there are no prohibitions against washing hair or bathing, unlike after childbirth. Generally, the surgical wound will fully heal about a week after the operation, at which point it is possible to wash hair and even bathe. Of course, it is important to monitor the recovery process after uterine fibroid surgery. If there are signs of infection at the surgical site, such as redness, hardening, or discharge of pus, the wound generally needs to be opened, the stitches removed, and the dressing changed regularly. Antibiotic and anti-infection treatments are administered until the wound fully heals, after which washing hair and bathing are permissible.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Sun Shan Shan
Obstetrics and Gynecology
57sec home-news-image

How to treat uterine fibroids?

Uterine fibroids are the most common benign tumors of the female reproductive organs, consisting of smooth muscle and connective tissue, mostly seen in women aged 30-50. Uterine fibroids can be classified into fibroids of the uterine body and cervical fibroids. Depending on their location, the treatments differ. Fibroids of the uterine body are further divided into intramural fibroids, subserosal fibroids, and submucosal fibroids. In cases of submucosal fibroids, prompt symptomatic treatment is necessary once detected, as these fibroids grow towards the uterine cavity and protrude into it, covered only by the endometrium on the surface. Hence, timely surgical intervention and regular physical examinations are crucial for submucosal fibroids.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Lin
Obstetrics and Gynecology
36sec home-news-image

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Huang Shuai
Obstetrics and Gynecology
1min 9sec home-news-image

How big a uterine fibroid can be without requiring treatment?

The size of uterine fibroids is one of the indicators we consider for whether treatment and surgery are necessary. It is generally believed that surgery is indicated when the diameter of a fibroid exceeds 6cm, or when the entire uterus is larger than the size it would be at ten weeks of pregnancy. However, in reality, the size of a uterine fibroid is not an absolute indicator for surgery. This means that even if the fibroid exceeds 6cm, or the entire uterus reaches around ten weeks in size, it doesn’t necessarily require surgery. At this point, other factors are usually also considered, such as whether there are symptoms, whether the large fibroids cause heavy menstruation and anemia, whether there are compression symptoms, the radiological appearance of the fibroids, whether they resemble malignant conditions, whether the fibroids are rapidly growing, and whether the fibroids are located in special areas like the cervix, the hip ligament, or submucosal. Thus, the size of the uterine fibroids is just one aspect we consider for treatment or surgery; the presence of symptoms and whether the fibroids are malignant, among others, are actually more important.