In recent years, the phenomenon of late marriage and late childbirth has become more and more common due to various factors such as economic and social development and improvement of education level. Will this phenomenon increase the incidence of gynecological tumors? There are rumors that “if you don’t have children, you will have tumors!” Is this statement reliable? Is there any relationship between uterine fibroids and childbirth?
Is it true that “if you don’t have children, you will have tumors!”? Is it true?
Pregnancy and childbirth are protective factors for the uterus and ovaries because during pregnancy and breastfeeding, the ovaries are basically in anovulatory state and estrogen secretion is at a low level, which allows the uterus to rest and has a protective effect on the uterus. Some medical studies have found that women who have given birth more often have a relatively lower incidence of fibroids.
Compared to women of normal childbearing age, women who marry late and have children late lack this protection for their ovaries and uterus during the childbearing stage and are relatively more likely to develop gynecological tumors.
However, there are various factors affecting uterine fibroids, and having children is only one of them, not the only and absolute cause. Studies have shown that fibroids have a genetic predisposition, and if a mother has fibroids, her daughter is also susceptible to such diseases. In addition, fibroids are closely related to sex hormone levels, such as long-term menstrual disorders, polycystic ovary syndrome, and obesity, which are all high-risk factors for fibroids.
What are the symptoms of uterine fibroids? There are 5 main symptoms of uterine fibroids.
Change of menstruation
Uterine fibroids tend to cause increased menstrual flow and prolonged periods. As fibroids increase the size of the uterine cavity, the endometrial area increases relatively, which leads to an increase in menstrual flow. In addition, when menstruation occurs, the smooth muscles of the uterus contract to stop bleeding. If fibroids are large or numerous, they can affect the contraction of the uterus and weaken the effect of stopping bleeding, leading to prolonged periods.
Increased vaginal discharge
Increased vaginal discharge, color change, odor and foul smell, especially the presence of bloody discharge, may be caused by fibroids.
Uterine fibroids tend to trigger increased leucorrhea. Due to the increase of endometrial area and pelvic congestion, it causes the increase of endometrial exudate secretion, which leads to the increase of vaginal discharge. Especially, submucosal fibroids can sometimes grow into the vagina, causing a variety of symptoms.
Compression symptoms
Uterine fibroids can cause symptoms such as frequent urination, urgency, difficulty in urination and constipation. If fibroids are large or grow in a prominent position, they can compress the surrounding organs and cause compression symptoms in the corresponding area. If fibroids press the bladder forward, it may lead to frequent and urgent urination; press the urethra to the side, it may cause difficulty in urination; press the rectum backward, it may cause constipation.
Abdominal distension, abdominal pain, abdominal mass
Abdominal distension, abdominal pain, abdominal mass and increase in abdominal circumference are the early symptoms of many gynecological tumors, which are often ignored by women as “fattening”.
If a large fibroid is on top of the pelvic organs, it may cause lower abdominal distension and pain; if a large fibroid protrudes into the pelvic cavity, a mass may be palpable in the abdomen; a submucosal fibroid may cause dysmenorrhea; a subplasmic fibroid with a tip may cause acute lower abdominal pain if twisted.
Therefore, if you find yourself suddenly gaining weight, especially the “little belly has grown a circle”, touching it and hard, do not think that this must be overworked fat, it is best to go to the hospital for medical examination.
Infertility, miscarriage, premature birth
Some fibroids can also cause infertility due to their location and size. In addition, some patients with fibroids are prone to miscarriage and premature birth after pregnancy.
For women who are prone to fibroids, it is recommended to complete childbirth as soon as possible. This is because the process of childbirth is protective against fibroids, and secondly, fibroids that appear after the completion of childbirth are relatively easier to deal with.
How are fibroids diagnosed?
Uterine fibroids can be initially determined based on the patient’s clinical presentation and signs, and through physical examination.
Pelvic ultrasound is a more sensitive and specific test to diagnose fibroids and is also commonly used in clinical practice. For fibroids with multiple or special locations, pelvic magnetic resonance imaging can also be used to further clarify.
Do fibroids need treatment?
If the fibroids are small and there are no uncomfortable symptoms, treatment is usually not necessary and regular review and follow-up is sufficient. If the fibroids are large and accompanied by the above symptoms, it is recommended to visit the hospital promptly so that the doctor can assess the treatment based on the symptoms and test results.
How to treat fibroids?
There are two types of treatment for fibroids: medication and surgery.
The main role of medication is to improve the symptoms, such as reducing the volume of menstruation if the patient’s symptom is heavy menstruation, correcting anemia if the symptom is anemia, or reducing the size of fibroids through medication if there are symptoms of compression and surgery is not needed for the time being first, etc.
But if someone says to you that taking medicine can cure fibroids, it is most likely a liar.
If fibroids are found to increase rapidly within a short period of time; if they bleed a lot or even become anemic and do not improve even after medication; if the pain and pressure symptoms caused by fibroids seriously affect your life; if you have long-term infertility or repeated miscarriages, surgery is recommended.
In short, uterine fibroids, although the name with a “tumor” in it, sounds frightening. But in fact, do not worry, most of them are benign, the probability of malignant change is generally less than 0.5%. If a woman’s fibroids continue to grow after menopause, she should be alert to the possibility of malignancy.
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