Fibroma and pregnancy
Fibroma of the uterus is a benign neoplasm that occurs with the proliferation of connective tissue. If muscle tissue joins, then fibroids are formed. Fibroma of the uterus is most often presented in the form of nodular foci or clusters, it feeds and grows due to the hormone estrogen.
In women, the tumor develops most often after 40 years, but it can form after the onset of the menstrual cycle, and during pregnancy. With its symptoms, it resembles many other gynecological diseases, but if there is severe bleeding, a woman should definitely consult a doctor. Frequent urination (the tumor begins to compress the bladder) and pain in the lower abdomen also indicate the growth of fibroids.
Fibroma does not affect a woman's ability to conceive, but depending on its size and location, the doctor can see if the pregnancy will be saved. In about 20% of cases, this benign neoplasm is detected in women of childbearing age.
The negative consequences of the development of fibroids in pregnant women
Although fibroma does not affect conception and fertility, it can cause infertility, late miscarriages, and premature birth. In the case when the tumor nodes block the passage of sperm, blocking the fallopian tubes, pregnancy does not occur. Such a violation is easily detected on an x-ray of the uterus or during an ultrasound scan.
If the size of the fibroid is large enough or it continues to grow rapidly, then too little space is left in the uterus for the development of the fetus, which can provoke a miscarriage after 11 weeks of pregnancy.
A large tumor can also cause premature birth, and the shorter the pregnancy, the less chance of saving the baby. This is due to the fact that many of his vital organs have not yet fully formed. It is more likely that the child will remain alive in the seventh month of pregnancy, but in this case, doctors will have to apply all their knowledge and use special equipment.
Large fibromas can affect the position of the fetus in the uterus, significantly complicating the passage of the baby through the birth canal. In this regard, a woman may need a cesarean section. In addition, the mother's body is weakened during long labor. The most unfavorable location of a fibroma is considered to be its development in the cervical region, since the tumor prevents the free passage of the child's head.
During pregnancy, a woman also changes the level of hormones in the blood, the content of estrogen rises, which in turn can provoke the growth of fibroids. However, constant observation and medical supervision reduce the risk of tumor enlargement. Even if the fibroma grows, they will try not to touch it before delivery, so as not to risk the health of the developing child. It happens that after childbirth, the neoplasm resolves itself.
Sometimes a woman may have spotting and pain. When pain relievers are prescribed, these symptoms disappear after a few days. For pregnant women with fibroma, prolonged sleep, no stress, reduced physical exertion, constant ultrasound control over the development of fibrous nodes are recommended.
Modern methods of treatment of uterine fibroids
Of course, in cases of a threat to the life of the child or the mother, doctors also prescribe medications, and even perform operations to remove fibroids during pregnancy. However, in order to avoid such problems, it is best for a woman to undergo a complete examination before conceiving.
Surgical intervention can be carried out in cases when:
- severe bleeding can cause anemia in a woman,
- there is a risk of twisting fibroid nodes,
- the tumor provokes the development of infertility,
- the tumor grows faster than 5 weeks in a year,
- the growth of fibroids continues after the onset of menopause,
- fibroma of the uterus negatively affects the work of nearby organs.
Currently, for women planning further pregnancy, minimally invasive treatment and conservative myomectomy (removal of only fibromatous nodes) are offered. It includes laparoscopy, laparotomy and hysteroscopy.
Laparoscopy is performed using endoscopic equipment. Four punctures are made on the abdominal wall, and the surgeon can work with the internal organs thanks to the endovideo camera. The procedure is relatively safe, blood loss is minimal, and rehabilitation is much faster. Hysteroscopy allows you to completely preserve the uterus for the subsequent pregnancy of a woman. The fibroma is excised with a laser in one session with the visual control of a doctor.
Embolization is also used - an operation to block blood vessels, due to which the tumor feeds. This allows you to stop the growth of fibroids without surgery.
Do not self-medicate fibroids, especially when you become pregnant, so as not to harm your baby, be sure to see a doctor. And the sooner you register with the antenatal clinic, the more chances you will have for a favorable pregnancy outcome.
Article author: Mochalov Pavel Alexandrovich | d. m. n. therapist
Education: Moscow Medical Institute. IM Sechenov, specialty - "General Medicine" in 1991, in 1993 "Occupational Diseases", in 1996 "Therapy".
