Uterine fibroids is a chronic disease of the organs of the female reproductive system, which is prone to recurrence. It is characterized by the formation of nodes in the muscle layer of the genital organ. At the initial stage, no symptoms of fibroids are observed, so most patients do not even know about their diagnosis. Today, the disease is detected in 75-80% of women after 30-35 years, and the latent course leads to the fact that myoma is detected during a routine examination or examination. Faced with a diagnosis for the first time, women are lost due to fear of surgery, but in fact, surgery is indicated only for serious complications or in the later stages. In most cases, lifestyle correction and conservative therapy are sufficient.
Disease characteristics
Doctors say that in 80% of women over 30-35 years old, tumors are found in the uterus. Myoma is a non-cancerous tumor, therefore, in most cases, conservative methods of treatment are indicated (that is, you can do without surgical intervention) and regular monitoring. The nodes are usually small in size, composed of muscle tissue. If the neoplasm has an impressive size, it squeezes adjacent organs, causing pain, discomfort and irregular menstruation.
The initial impetus for the development of fibroids is usually hormonal failure. The causes of the neoplasm can be inflammation (acute or chronic) in the genital area, damage to the uterus during surgical interventions, frequent abortions, a sedentary lifestyle, and poor environmental conditions. Regardless of the causes of the formation, the myomatous node has a tendency to grow, therefore, a woman with such a disease should know what can provoke an increase in the size of the fibroid.
Clinical picture
In the early stages, uterine fibroids do not manifest in most cases. Typically, patients complain of heavy and painful periods, bleeding between menstruation, which leads to a decrease in hemoglobin. Most people experience pulling pains of various intensities in the lower abdomen, which intensify during critical days. Often with the growth of fibroids, the functions of neighboring organs are disrupted. This can be manifested by delayed stool or urination, a feeling of pressure on the bladder.
Myoma is diagnosed during a gynecological examination, and the localization and size of the tumor can be determined by ultrasound. This diagnostic method allows you to detect fibroids when the size of the neoplasm does not exceed one centimeter in diameter. If necessary, an MRI of the pelvic organs is performed (considered a more informative method), hysteroscopy, hysterosalpingography. Treatment is possible conservative (with fibroids corresponding to 12 weeks of pregnancy) or surgical.
Myoma lifestyle
What is not possible with uterine myoma? This is not about significant changes in everyday life, but it is also impossible to completely ignore the manifestations of the disease. A woman with a similar diagnosis should adhere to a number of restrictions so as not to provoke the growth of the neoplasm. What can not be done with uterine fibroids? Lifting weights of more than three kilograms is prohibited, leg work, excessive physical activity are undesirable. Do not overwork. It is worth limiting fluid intake at night. Otherwise, fluid will accumulate in the tissues. It is better to eat an apple or an orange to quench your thirst.
It is imperative to take contraceptives, but without initiative. Self-protection is allowed only by barrier means, that is, with the help of condoms. You should try to avoid stressful situations and emotional overstrain, because this provokes changes in hormonal balance, which accelerates the growth of tumors. What else is not possible with uterine myoma? It is forbidden to have an abortion, because this will provoke a hormonal surge, which will increase the growth of fibroids. It is important to identify the disease in the initial stages, to monitor the growth of the neoplasm, from time to time visiting a doctor and undergoing the necessary examinations.
Contraception issues
What is impossible with uterine fibroids of small sizes? You can not independently choose and use contraceptives without consulting a doctor. Oral contraceptives do not have a long or pronounced effect, do not reduce the size of the neoplasm, but when used, the likelihood of developing a tumor decreases by 27%. Gynecologists prescribe contraceptives not only as a protection against unwanted pregnancy, but also to prevent myomatosis in young, nulliparous patients. Birth control pills reduce the frequency of menstruation, that is, they are symptomatic.
What can not be done with uterine fibroids? Abortions are not allowed, so contraceptives are also used for their intended purpose, that is, to protect against unwanted pregnancy. Without the advice of a doctor, you can safely use only one contraceptive - condoms.
Pregnancy with uterine fibroids
Difficulties in conceiving a child due to this disease are explained by various factors. This can be triggered by squeezing the fallopian tubes, a violation of ovulation. Myoma in itself is not the cause of infertility, and removal significantly increases the likelihood of successful fertilization. This applies to fibroids, the size of which is less than twelve weeks of pregnancy. If the myoma is large, then it is quite difficult to maintain reproductive function after removal of the neoplasm, because the operation can be complicated by bleeding, which will require removal of the uterus.
The effect of pregnancy on fibroids largely depends on which region the tumor is located in. It is generally accepted that myoma grows during the period of bearing a child, but there is an opinion that this is an imaginary growth associated with an increase in the uterus as a whole. A slight increase in fibroids in size is usually observed in the first and second trimesters, and in the third almost all neoplasms are reduced.
Most often during pregnancy, degeneration of fibroids is observed, that is, destruction. This is due to negative processes: tissue necrosis, the formation of cysts and edema. This can happen at any time or in the postpartum period - it all depends on the location of the neoplasm. The reasons for this process are not yet fully understood. Both hormonal and mechanical and vascular changes that occur with the female body during pregnancy are important.
Intimacy
What is not possible with large uterine fibroids? Intimacy is not contraindicated in such a diagnosis. The common assertion that during sexual intercourse blood rushes to the pelvic organs, which provokes the growth of the neoplasm, is a myth. If a woman has a tumor, then she may experience discomfort during sexual intercourse, but this is not a specific symptom. Usually this does not indicate a fibroid at all, but another disease.
Physical activity
With myoma, moderate physical activity is not contraindicated, but even useful. But under certain conditions there are limitations. For example, you need to abandon sports if you have recently had surgery, large nodes compress the internal organs, causing pain, or if the fibroids leads to anemia and painful periods.
What exercises can not be done with uterine fibroids? Undesirable effects on the press. The best types of sports include those based on cardio loading: skiing, swimming, brisk walking, training on simulators, and cycling.
Those who have never been involved in sports can start with physiotherapy exercises. It is better to choose a qualified specialist who has already worked with patients who are given the same diagnosis. The specialist knows for sure which exercises cannot be performed with uterine myoma, and which are acceptable. Usually physical therapy and yoga classes have a positive effect on the dynamics of the disease.
Sauna and hot tub
What is impossible with uterine fibroids of small sizes? Previously, it was believed that with such a diagnosis, you need to forget about the bath, sauna and hot tubs. Today, in the absence of concomitant diseases of the cardiovascular system, you can take a hot bath without restrictions, visit the bathhouse and sauna. During menstruation (especially if they are plentiful) it is better to refuse it.
Physiotherapy
What procedures can not be done with uterine fibroids? For most physiotherapy procedures, myoma is not a contraindication, but physiotherapy is ineffective against the nodes themselves.
Tanning and Solarium
Why is it impossible to visit a solarium with uterine myoma? It is better to refuse to visit the solarium, because exposure to ultraviolet light can provoke the growth of nodes. If the woman nevertheless decided on an artificial tan, several rules must be observed: treat the skin with a protective cream before the procedure, choose the minimum exposure to ultraviolet radiation, and not be in the booth for more than three minutes. In addition, the cabin must be ventilated to reduce the thermal effect.
Sunbathing is also highly undesirable. Why can not sunbathe with uterine fibroids? Because sunbathing has a thermal effect. For the same reason, it is better to avoid all warming procedures. A full tan with myoma is possible only after menopause, because during this period the production of hormones decreases, and the tumor stops growing.
You can sunbathe with myoma in moderation (it is almost impossible to completely exclude sun exposure). It is better to go to the beach in the morning or evening hours and monitor the temperature. It is desirable that the air temperature does not exceed 25 degrees. The sun should not be too long. Preferably - no more than 30 minutes. You need to go into the shade for any unpleasant sensations in the lower abdomen. Be sure to apply sunscreen.
Massage with uterine myoma
What procedures should not be attended with uterine fibroids? It is believed that massage is contraindicated, but in fact, restrictions are imposed only on visits to the massage room during menstruation.
This, by the way, applies not only to women with myoma, but also quite healthy. Intensive massage in the buttocks, abdomen and thighs, lymphatic drainage, acupuncture, cavitation - exposure to problem areas with ultrasonic waves is prohibited. This can significantly increase blood circulation in the internal organs, which is contraindicated in uterine fibroids.
Alcohol and smoking
What is not possible with uterine myoma? Stop smoking in any case (even for patients who do not have uterine fibroids), and it is better to drink alcohol only in the recommended moderate amounts. The absence of bad habits in any case will benefit the body.
Nutrition correction
What foods can not be eaten with uterine fibroids? It is necessary to limit the consumption of animal fats (replace it with vegetable), exclude confectionery, buns and fast food. It is advisable to enrich the diet with fresh vegetables and fruits, eat small portions 5-6 times a day, include in the menu products that contribute to the elimination of toxins, be about 2 liters of water per day, eat fish or seafood at least three times a week. Black tea and coffee should be replaced with green and herbal decoctions.
Medications
What antibiotics are not possible with uterine myoma, the attending physician knows and tells. In general, with such a diagnosis, the use of any medications without the appointment of a gynecologist is prohibited. Depending on the course of the disease, hormonal correction may be recommended with medications, but you cannot make any decisions on this issue yourself.
Expectant Tactics
It is believed that fibroids need to be treated, and if not surgically, then at least by the constant use of pills. In fact, uterine fibroids in a woman who is not planning a pregnancy in the near future does not require treatment. Not all neoplasms grow actively during the reproductive period. Some of them can grow to a certain size, and then stop growing. If the nodes do not deform the uterus, and there are no manifestations of fibroids, that is, the disease does not affect the quality of life, then treatment is not required. Enough observation in the dynamics.
However, the patient may not notice specific complaints because she is accustomed to unpleasant symptoms. These include heavy menstruation, a feeling of pressure on the bladder, an increase in the abdomen. In this case, you need to undergo an examination, do an ultrasound and assess the level of hemoglobin in the blood. A drop in hemoglobin, for example, may indicate an incorrect assessment of the abundance of menstruation, and an increase in the abdomen can be taken as a set of weight, rather than an increase in fibroids in size. Expectant tactics are used in many cases; this does not pose any threat to a woman’s health if the process is controlled by a specialist.
Conservative therapy is indicated for sizes of fibroids corresponding to a period of 12 weeks of pregnancy or less, as well as slow growth rates of the neoplasm. This helps to preserve the uterus so that in the future it will still be possible to give birth to a baby. Usually hormonal drugs are used, symptomatic treatment is indicated (reduction of soreness and profuse menstruation). The operation is indicated for large neoplasms, rapid growth, and severe symptoms of the disease. There are several types of operations. The optimal method can tell the gynecologist.
Surgical intervention
Removal of the uterus is not the main treatment for fibroids in women not planning a pregnancy. This is not a simple procedure that can have consequences for the patient, including death. In any case, it is very difficult to predict the development of serious complications, so the best operation is the one that was avoided. Any intervention should be performed according to indications and in those cases when there is no alternative, and if it is not performed, then there is a threat to the patient's life or its quality.
As a rule, for patients with fibroids, the uterus is removed without offering any alternative. Moreover, the consequences of organ removal are well understood today. Such patients often develop diseases of the cardiovascular system, endocrine disorders, there is a chance of developing malignant tumors, weight problems, depression and other nervous disorders. So, removal of the uterus is the last item in the list of possible treatment options, which should be resorted to only in the most extreme case.
Removal of exclusively myomatous nodes is not shown in all cases. This operation temporarily restores the anatomy of the uterus, allowing the woman to successfully bear and give birth to a healthy baby, but the intervention is associated with a high probability of relapse (up to 10-15% in the first year). If the patient does not plan a pregnancy, then in most cases it is necessary to give preference not to removal of the neoplasm, but to embolization of the uterine arteries. In 96-98% of cases, this eliminates the symptoms, that is, solves the patient's problem.
Lifestyle after surgery
What can not be done after removal of uterine fibroids? Doctors are allowed to get out of bed after surgery on the second or third day. You can do this by turning on your side and leaning on your elbow. It is advisable to move more to shorten the recovery period after surgery. After laparoscopy, you can get up already the next day. In the first days after the operation, it is recommended to do special exercises that will allow the carbon dioxide to dissolve faster, which doctors introduced into the abdominal cavity during the operation.
After removal of uterine fibroids, you can not perform heavy physical work and lift weights (more than 3 kg). It is important to alternate work and rest, observe the regime. After removal of uterine fibroids, you can not have sex for another half to two months after the intervention. Nervous overstrain and constipation should be avoided, because they cause an increase in intra-abdominal pressure (this can cause seams to diverge). It is important to follow a diet that ensures uninterrupted bowel function.
While maintaining reproductive function, you need to plan a pregnancy at the time recommended by the doctor observing the woman. A gynecologist will help you choose contraceptives that you need to take according to the instructions. , . , . .