One of the most common health problems in women is fibroids, also known as benign tumors. These fibroids develop in the uterus and usually do not cause specific symptoms, often being discovered during routine check-ups.

Although fibroids are often harmless, they must be monitored regularly due to the risk of malignant transformation.

What are fibroids?

Fibroids are a type of tumor originating from the muscle layer of the uterus and consist of tissue that is abnormal for the uterus. They are quite common in women and are classified as benign tumors, formed from smooth muscle cells and connective tissue.

Fibroids generally do not cause any negative symptoms but carry a small risk of becoming cancerous. Therefore, it is important to keep them under control and monitor them periodically, especially tracking their size and location.

The size of fibroids can vary greatly. They usually have a round shape and a pink color. They can occur at the cervix or inside the uterus. If the fibroid is located on the outer wall of the uterus, it is called a subserous fibroid; if inside the uterine wall, it is a submucous fibroid; and if within the muscle layer, it is called an intramural fibroid.

What are the symptoms of fibroids?

Fibroids usually do not cause symptoms or signs and are often diagnosed during examinations for other conditions. However, some types can cause specific complaints, including:

• Abnormal bleeding
• Very painful menstrual periods
• Heavy menstrual bleeding
• Shortened intervals between menstrual cycles
• Anemia caused by excessive and prolonged menstrual bleeding
• Severe back pain
• Painful sexual intercourse
• Palpable masses in the lower abdomen
• Pressure and pain during bowel movements
• Frequent urination due to pressure on the bladder

Additionally, fibroids can create a mass effect inside the uterus and may prevent pregnancy. Especially fibroids located near the inner side of the uterus can disrupt the area where the fertilized egg implants.

How are fibroids diagnosed?

Fibroids, which often cause concern in women wishing to conceive, usually do not show specific symptoms and are detected during routine gynecological exams. If a fibroid is suspected during a physical examination, imaging such as ultrasound is used to confirm the diagnosis and determine the size and location of the fibroid.

If the size of the mass is unusually large or clear data about the uterine tissue cannot be obtained, an MRI is performed to get the most accurate information about the fibroid type.

How are fibroids treated?

Treatment of fibroids depends entirely on the effects they cause in the patient. If fibroids cause no symptoms and are detected incidentally without rapid growth, monitoring may be sufficient.

If symptoms are present and fibroids are identified as the cause, surgical intervention may be necessary. Several parameters influence the decision for surgery.

These include the patient's age, size and location of the fibroid, the patient's desire to have children, and the severity of symptoms.

There are two surgical approaches: if the patient wishes to have children and is of suitable age, only the fibroids are removed to preserve uterine function. However, fibroids may recur.

If the patient does not wish to have children and is over 40 years old, the entire uterus may be removed. Surgeries can be performed via open surgery, laparoscopic surgery, or hysteroscopy.