To date, fibroids occur in women from the age of twenty to fifty-five years. The size of tumor seals can vary from a few millimeters to a dozen centimeters (doctors recorded a case of detecting a myoma the size of a melon). Most often, this disease occurs in women who are coming to menopause (the reason lies in hormonal failure). After the onset of menopause, a decrease and disappearance of a benign tumor is sometimes observed. But what to do if uterine fibroids appeared in menopause? The symptoms and treatment of this disease will be discussed below.
General characteristics of the disease
Uterine fibroids can be represented as a benign tumor located on the muscle, connective tissue of the uterus. This seal looks like a semicircular or round myomatous node. The disease can proceed without pain, symptoms, if the tumor is small. If several nodes are formed, the growth of uterine fibroids increases, then characteristic signs may appear (pain, bleeding).
Four types are distinguished by the location of a benign tumor:
- subserous;
- intramural;
- submucous;
- intraligamentary.
In the first case, myoma is formed on the muscle tissue of the uterus from the outside. It is also called the subperitoneal. Developing, it grows into the pelvic cavity. Because of what there is pressure on the relevant organs. Then pain can occur. The second type of tumor, called the intermuscular myomatous node, develops inside the muscle tissue of the uterus, due to which the abdomen grows. The third type of fibroids develops under the mucous membrane of the uterus, because this tumor is called submucosa. In the latter case, we are talking about the appearance of a benign tumor between the ligaments.
This disease (uterine fibroids) has not yet been studied by doctors. It is assumed that the causes of its occurrence are hormonal disruptions, hereditary diseases, an individual reaction to tissue damage (abortion, surgery), sexual infections, an early menstrual cycle (under ten years old), alcohol abuse, irregular sexual relationships, genetic factors, and environmental conditions.
Fibroids and uterine cancer
Many women, having learned that they have a benign tumor, immediately panic, fearing death. However, the formation of myomatous nodes is not an oncological malignant tumor. Uterine cancer, sarcoma - these are completely different female diseases. Gynecology, as a science, reveals the following factors contributing to the appearance of cancer cells:
- smoking;
- diabetes;
- HIV
- menstrual irregularities;
- the presence of human papillomavirus;
- venereal diseases;
- infertility;
- late menopause ;
- early birth;
- promiscuous sexual intercourse;
- the use of oral contraceptives;
- obesity;
- female diseases.
Gynecology still does not reveal the exact cause of the appearance of uterine cancer, like fibroids. As you can see, from the above list, many factors are similar to the causes of the appearance of myomatous nodes, therefore a thorough study with analyzes, ultrasound diagnostics, and biopsy is required.
The appearance of uterine cancer, as well as fibroids, is indicated primarily by menstrual irregularities. That is, spotting goes randomly, with strokes, then stops, and after a certain period more plentiful, lasting appear. Another symptom is pain that occurs during or after a sexual act, pulling discomfort in the groin, lower back. The woman is rapidly losing weight, quickly getting tired.
Uterine fibroids with menopause: symptoms and treatment
At the initial stage of the disease, with small sizes of a benign tumor, there may be no symptoms. The presence of myomatous nodes is determined during a routine gynecological examination. If in doubt, it is required to obtain accurate information about the location of the fibroids, then the woman is sent for ultrasound diagnosis, hysterosalpingography. Very rarely, computer or magnetic resonance imaging is used to confirm this disease.
If the disease is started, then the signs of fibroids are as follows:
- severe, prolonged bleeding;
- aching pains in the lower abdomen;
- a feeling of pressure on the pelvic organs;
- painful frequent urination;
- constipation
- pain during bowel movements due to pressure on the intestines.
Most often, the myomatous nodes are treated with surgical or conservative methods, that is, due to the use of medications, the sizes of the myomatous nodes are reduced, the smallest seals resolve. The operation is performed only with the formation of large benign tumors in a short period of time, since there is a risk of leymosarcoma.
Types of myomectomy in the treatment of myomatous nodes
The most effective surgical methods for the treatment of uterine fibroids. Myomectomy is the surgical removal of a benign tumor while preserving the female organs. There are three types of myomectomy:
- abdominal;
- laparoscopic;
- hysteroscopic;
In the first case, the removal of myomatous nodes occurs with the preservation of the uterus, but if their number is not more than four. Abdominal myomectomy is performed under general anesthesia. An incision is made in the bikini area, tumors are removed, then each layer is sutured in turn. The danger of this method is the involvement of other organs, infection, bleeding, the appearance of adhesions, the risk of infertility.
The second option is suitable for removal of subserous and intramural nodes. Before the operation, a drug course is prescribed, aimed at reducing the size of the nodes. Next, the navel or peritoneum is punctured, with the help of a video camera and surgical instruments, nodes are removed. Compared with the first method, this type of myomectomy is more painless. But there is also a risk of damage to neighboring internal organs, blood vessels, the formation of bruises, infection, the appearance of hernias.
The third variant of myomectomy is for tumors located on the mucous tissue of the uterus. The operation occurs under general or spinal anesthesia without an incision. A resetoscope is inserted through the vagina into the uterus, and the tumor is removed. The advantage of this method is a minimum of blood loss, a cosmetic effect, the ability to bear and give birth to children. The danger can be infection, vascular damage, burns, repetition of the operation. But most often, signs of fibroids after such a surgical intervention do not appear.
Hysterectomy as a way to remove the uterus
Hysterectopia is an operation to remove a tumor along with the uterus. It can also be carried out in various ways: laparoscopic, through the vagina or open. The first two methods are characterized by a cosmetic effect, that is, there will be no surgical suture on the body. But the choice of the type of operation depends on the age of the woman, the degree of the disease.
The most commonly used minimally invasive uterine intervention. That is, microparticles are introduced into the arteries that feed the tumor, due to which the feeding of the myomatous nodes stops, and therefore, the growth of the tumor stops.
During pregnancy, with some inflammatory diseases, the location of the tumor on the neck, in the presence of a submucous node on a thin leg, this operation is contraindicated (uterine fibroids). The consequences are expressed in violation of the menstrual cycle, amenorrhea, detachment of tissue from a decaying tumor. The best option is to consult a doctor and treat myomatous nodes in the early stages of development. Then they can prescribe a course of taking hormonal drugs that prevent the production of estrogen, due to which the myomatous nodes are reduced in size.
How to treat a tumor without surgery?
Most often, doctors do not treat small myomatous nodes, but only observe their growth. This applies to women who have uterine fibroids with menopause. Symptoms and treatment will be slightly different. First, the patient will be sent for a biopsy to exclude the emergence of cancer cells. Secondly, the treatment will be comprehensive, aimed at the fibroids and the negative effects of menopause. Thirdly, hormone therapy will contain other hormones (not estrogen).
Treatment of fibroids with drugs is possible if:
- the size of myomatous nodes is less than two centimeters;
- the type of tumor is intramural or subserous;
- the size of the uterus does not exceed the parameters of a 12-week pregnancy;
- no severe violations of the clinical picture;
- there are no diseases of nearby organs;
- slow increase in compaction;
- there is no allergy to medicines.
If a woman approaches menopause, and the size of the fibroids is insignificant, it is only possible to observe the growth of the tumor. Since its development depends on the hormones progesterone and estrogen, the amount of which decreases with the onset of menopause. However, if a woman uses pills for menopause, where there are these hormones, then the fibroids will grow.
Most often, hormone therapy is carried out as a preoperative course in order to reduce the growth of myomatous nodes. Then prescribe drugs with hormones gonadotropin-releasing hormones (aHRH), mifepristone. They can not be taken for more than six months, since osteoporosis will occur due to a huge calcium deficiency. However, it is impossible to cure a large myoma with these drugs, since the effect of hormone therapy is short-term, after some time the growth of nodes continues.
Is it possible to cure a tumor with folk remedies?
Most Russian women tend to self-medicate when they have uterine fibroids with menopause. Symptoms and treatment are being studied on the Internet. As a result, some resort to herbal infusions, others run to healers, witches, black magicians. Sometimes, both methods only “take away” precious time when it is possible to cure fibroids without surgery with the help of a qualified specialist.
What herbs are chosen for the treatment of myomatous nodes? Judging by popular recipes, plants are selected that cure a benign tumor, inhibiting cell division. Recipes are made from a mixture of poisonous and non-toxic plants (Baikal and Dzungarian wrestlers, white mistletoe, speckled hemlock, marsh saber, European zyuznik, common shandra, propolis, medunica, knotweed and others). Most often, tinctures are made for oral administration in a few drops, but a medicinal mixture is also prepared for the introduction of tampons into the vagina.
The course is designed for several months. However, the effectiveness of folk remedies has not been officially proven. Therefore, do not resort to folk, homeopathic medicine without consulting a professional, since uterine fibroids with menopause have similar symptoms to cancer. Even if the doctor diagnoses a benign tumor, time due to self-medication may be lost, then you will have to remove the nodes together with the female organs.
The only thing doctors agree with is the organization of proper nutrition. With myoma, you can not eat salty, spicy dishes, foods high in fat, cholesterol, carbohydrates. If myomatous nodes are formed in the uterus, then vitamins (folic acid, B, E, C, D, iron, calcium) must be consumed. Preference is given to raw fruits, vegetables, oatmeal and buckwheat porridge, yogurt, cottage cheese, protein products, boiled beef. With this disease, you need less to be in direct sunlight, to exclude thermal, physical, massage effects on the location of nodes.
If a woman's appearance of fibroids coincides with the onset of menopause, then it is worth taking vitamins with menopause: E, C, D, B6, B1, B12, B9, omega-3. The first vitamin tocopherol just reduces the negative manifestations of menopause by stimulating the function of the sex glands. Ascorbic strengthens blood vessels, reduces the appearance of swelling in the tissues. Vitamin D with the simultaneous intake of calcium helps to strengthen bone tissue.
Vitamins of group B support the work of the cardiovascular, nervous, immune system, due to which the state of anxiety normalizes, irritability disappears. The vitamin complex of the Omega-3 group allows you to activate mental activity, increase working capacity, balance hormonal failure, help with excessive weight gain.
Eat foods that contain these vitamins and minerals to make you feel better with menopause, as well as the formation of fibroids. Do not forget to undergo an examination, as the doctor may prescribe hormone medications and tablets for menopause with vitamins.
Fibroids and menopause
It is believed that myomatous nodes appear in women during the reproductive period. This is due to the presence of hormones necessary for the growth of the fetus during pregnancy, but at the same time affecting the growth of tumors. In addition, if a woman has had cases of abortion, miscarriage, other situations of surgical intervention, then scars on the muscle tissue of the uterus can also lead to fibroids.
With menopause, estrogen levels are reduced, and therefore small nodes up to two centimeters can decrease in size. Sometimes uterine fibroids can completely disappear (reviews of women with such a wonderful cure are not scientifically substantiated). But with the use of drugs with estrogen, the supply of the tumor continues, and therefore it can increase. So, regardless of menopause, it is necessary to be observed by a gynecologist, undergo ultrasound diagnosis every four months with intensive development of fibroids.
In general, the nature of the appearance of myomatous nodes has not yet been studied by doctors. If previously it was believed that after menopause myoma can not appear, now complaints of women about the formation of a tumor during menopause have become more frequent. Then it is necessary to undergo an ultrasound scan to determine the nature of the seals that have appeared. Since with age, the likelihood of the appearance of cancer cells increases, and the fibroids may not be involved.
The consequences of tumor treatment: osteoporosis
The decrease in the size of fibroids occurs due to the use of hormonal drugs. If a woman has menopause, then she can take pills with estrogen, due to which uterine fibroids increase. What is the danger of this disease? Doctors prescribe a bunch of tablets with different hormones: some of them are aimed at reducing the size of the tumor, others are struggling with the negative symptoms of menopause. Long-term use of these hormones leads to a decrease in calcium concentration, the development of osteoporosis. That is, over time, bone density decreases, the risk of fractures increases even with a slight drop.
This is explained by an imbalance in the functioning of bone cells. That is, osteoclasts that restore bone cells predominate normally, compared with osteoblasts that destroy bone. With osteoporosis, the balance of these cells changes in the direction of increasing destructive cells. One of the reasons for this disharmony is a decrease in sex hormones during menopause or taking drugs that reduce the amount of estrogen in myoma.
The consequences of osteoporosis are expressed by fractures of the femoral neck, vertebrae. In women older than fifty-five years, such fractures may not heal, but all because immobility provokes the intensive development of osteoporosis. But most often, such fractures are asymptomatic or are expressed by back pain, and after some time there is a curvature of the back, a hump forms.
Uterine fibroids: what is dangerous?
Myomatous nodes, like menopause, are accompanied by heavy bleeding, which over time can cause anemia. In the female body, the number of red blood cells decreases, the level of hemoglobin decreases, and a lack of oxygen and iron appears. The woman has weakness, fatigue, pallor of the skin, shortness of breath, dizziness, headache, tachycardia, dry mouth.
In addition to anemia, a large uterine myoma node due to constant pressure on neighboring organs can disrupt their work (for example, the rectum, kidneys, ureter). This can cause diseases such as a hydroureter (accumulation of fluid in the ureter), hydronephrosis (expansion of the cups and pelvis of the kidneys due to excessive accumulation of urine), pyelonephritis (inflammation of the kidneys).
If fibroids occur during pregnancy, then its intensive growth and large size can provoke miscarriage, exfoliation and placenta previa. But most often, the myomatous nodes do not affect the full development of the fetus, although the conception of a child can be delayed in time.
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