Uterine fibroids are a common benign tumor that occurs in the uterus, caused by the proliferation of smooth muscle and connective tissue. Their size can vary, ranging from as small as a pea to as large as a football, and they are commonly found in women aged 30 to 50.
Uterine fibroids are generally classified into the following three types:
1. Intramural Fibroids: These fibroids are located within the muscular wall of the uterus and are surrounded by muscle layers. Most fibroids are of this type when they first develop.
2. Subserosal Fibroids: These fibroids develop outward from the muscular wall and protrude on the surface of the uterus, directly contacting the serosal layer.
3. Submucosal Fibroids: These fibroids grow inward from the muscular wall, protruding into the uterine cavity and directly contacting the mucosal layer. This type of fibroid can gradually enlarge and deform the uterine cavity and often has a stalk connected to the uterus. If the stalk is long, it can block the cervical opening.
Women with uterine fibroids generally experience the following symptoms:
1. Abnormal uterine bleeding, accompanied by increased menstrual flow and irregular vaginal bleeding.
2. Lower abdominal pain. If the fibroids become infected, causing damage and inflammation to the uterus or cervix, it may lead to lower abdominal pain, along with symptoms like purulent or bloody discharge and foul-smelling vaginal discharge.
3. Abdominal mass. Smaller fibroids usually do not present a noticeable lump, but larger fibroids or those that grow rapidly may result in a palpable abdominal mass.
Although uterine fibroids are benign, they can still affect the uterus and cervix. For the management of uterine fibroids, if there are no clinical symptoms and the fibroids are relatively small, treatment may not be necessary initially. However, if the fibroids are large, exceeding five centimeters, or if there are multiple fibroids accompanied by increased menstrual bleeding or shortened menstrual cycles, surgical removal may need to be considered.
