2024-04-10 04:55:08
Pregnancy and childbirth are inevitable processes for most women as they grow from someone’s daughter to someone’s wife and mother of children. The uterus, where pregnancy and childbirth take place, is an important body part for women, and caution is advised as the number of patients with uterine fibroids has recently been increasing.
The uterus is a pear-shaped muscle tissue that is 7.5 cm long, 5 cm wide, and 2.5 cm thick, similar to the size of a woman’s fist. It is also called the ‘second heart’, symbolizing women. However, when a muscle cell in the uterus grows abnormally and becomes a hard lump, it is called a ‘uterine fibroid’.
It is a common benign tumor among tumors occurring in women and is found in 40-50% of women over 35 years of age. According to statistics from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, the number of patients receiving treatment at hospitals and clinics for uterine fibroids was 615,883 in 2022, exceeding 600,000 for the first time. It has been two years since the number exceeded 500,000 in 2020, reaching 514,260.
As of 2022, by age, people in their 40s accounted for the most with 227,921 (37%), followed by people in their 50s with 192,060 (31.2%) and people in their 30s with 102,895 (16.7%), with 85% of all patients in their 30s to 50s. It was a big deal. There were 18,010 (2.9%) patients in their 20s, with about 50 people visiting the obstetrics and gynecology department per day.
Song Hee-kyung, a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Incheon St. Mary’s Hospital of the Catholic University of Korea, said, “Uterine fibroids are mainly found in women over 35 years old, but recently, there has been an increasing trend among women in their 20s.” He added, “Especially for those who are planning to become pregnant, as it can lead to infertility, treatment is recommended in advance. “It’s good to make a plan,” he advised.
Uterine fibroids are divided into uterine fibroids and cervical fibroids depending on where they occur, with uterine fibroids accounting for more than 90% of all. The exact cause is not yet known, but it is known that if there is a family history, the probability of developing the disease is about three times higher.
Many people live their entire lives without any noticeable symptoms. In most cases, uterine fibroids have no symptoms. Symptoms appear in approximately 25% of patients. Main symptoms include excessive menstrual flow, severe menstrual pain, pelvic pain, constipation, and frequent urination. Menorrhagia is the most common, and if fibroids grow to a certain extent, they can cause pelvic pain.
Sometimes, if the fibroids are very large, they can be felt in the lower abdomen. In particular, uterine fibroids are cited as the cause for approximately 3% of all infertility patients. For women of childbearing age, if menstrual flow increases and menstrual pain becomes severe, it is necessary to suspect uterine fibroids.
Lee Yeon-ji, a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Myongji Hospital, said, “Even if it is a giant fibroid larger than 10 cm, there are almost no symptoms so it may not be felt.” She added, “For women who have started menstruating, it is best to observe the uterus and ovaries through ultrasound at least once a year.” Explain.
Uterine fibroids are diagnosed through pelvic examination, pelvic ultrasound, and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). In particular, pelvic ultrasound can be easily diagnosed. Treatment is determined based on the number and size of fibroids, tissue adhesion, presence of symptoms, pregnancy plan, etc. Treatment methods include hormonal drug therapy and surgical treatment.
If uterine fibroids do not grow quickly or the symptoms are not severe, the type of fibroids can be examined through periodic examinations without any additional treatment. However, if the fibroids grow larger or cause pain and bleeding, treatment is necessary. It is difficult to remove fibroids with drug treatment, so surgery to remove the entire uterus or remove only the fibroids is required.
Since the surgery is performed directly on the uterus, the key is to maintain fertility by reducing tissue and nerve damage. In addition, it is important to reduce the risk of infection and bleeding, and increase aesthetic effects by minimizing the incision area. Recently, robotic surgery, which has all of these advantages, has been in the spotlight.
Professor Song Hee-kyung said, “Surgery is a sure treatment, but it is true that it carries a psychological burden. Recently, robotic surgery or laparoscopic surgery has been widely used instead of open surgery. In particular, single-hole robotic surgery or laparoscopic surgery has less pain and no scars. “It has the advantage of being invisible, so it can greatly reduce the burden,” he said.
There is no way to prevent uterine fibroids. However, studies have shown that the risk of developing uterine fibroids is high in obese women, and that appropriate exercise and a vegetarian diet reduce the occurrence of uterine fibroids. The frequency of occurrence increases after the age of 30 and is reported to occur in about 40% of women over the age of 35, so it is recommended to undergo regular examinations once a year after the age of 30 even if there are no special symptoms.
Professor Lee Yeon-ji said, “The cause is not clear, but the number of patients is increasing every year due to various factors, so periodic gynecological examinations are necessary,” adding, “Especially when fibroids are discovered in women of childbearing age, damage to the periphery of the uterus is minimized and fertility is preserved. “It is important to receive treatment considering the surgical method used,” he advised.
(Seoul = News 1)
2024-04-10 04:55:08