Uterine fibroids are benign uterine tumors that are very common in women of childbearing age. If the location of uterine fibroids compresses the fallopian tubes and affects the movement of sperm and eggs, it can cause infertility. Once pregnancy is achieved, uterine fibroids grow rapidly with the enlargement of the uterus during pregnancy, especially after the second trimester, and undergo "degeneration", resulting in symptoms such as abdominal pain and fever. Uterine fibroids can also easily lead to miscarriage and premature birth.
In general, women with uterine fibroids whose fibroids are less than 4 centimeters in diameter can become pregnant. However, if the uterine fibroids have grown to more than 4 centimeters in diameter before pregnancy, they will continue to grow during pregnancy, increasing the risk of degeneration, miscarriage and premature birth. Even if the diameter of the uterine fibroids is less than 4 centimeters, if they are located in an unfavorable position, such as inside the uterine cavity, on the cervix, or compressing the fallopian tubes to affect fertility, it is best to remove the uterine fibroids surgically before getting pregnant. All women of childbearing age with uterine fibroids must consult a gynecologist before deciding whether to become pregnant.
It is worth noting that the impact of uterine fibroids on pregnancy varies depending on their size, number, location and growth rate. For example, submucosal fibroids that grow inside the uterine cavity are more likely to affect the implantation of the fertilized egg and increase the risk of early miscarriage, because they occupy the space of the uterine cavity and interfere with the normal growth and development of the embryo. Intramural fibroids that grow in the muscle layer of the uterus may affect the contraction of the uterus during pregnancy, leading to premature birth or abnormal fetal position. Subserosal fibroids that grow outside the uterus have a relatively small impact on pregnancy, but if they are too large, they may compress adjacent organs and cause discomfort.
In addition, some women may not have obvious symptoms of uterine fibroids and only find them during a routine gynecological examination. Therefore, regular gynecological check-ups are very important for women of childbearing age, which can help detect uterine fibroids early and take appropriate intervention measures. For women who plan to get pregnant, a comprehensive pre-pregnancy examination is essential. The gynecologist will evaluate the size, location and nature of the fibroids and give professional suggestions on whether to get pregnant directly or after treatment, so as to minimize the risk of miscarriage and other adverse pregnancy outcomes.
What is more noteworthy is that the age of onset of uterine fibroids is becoming younger and younger in recent years. The youngest patient with uterine fibroids is only 10 years old. In the past, the high-incidence age group of uterine fibroids was 30 to 50 years old, and women under 20 years old were rarely diagnosed with the disease. "In recent years, the incidence of uterine fibroids has become particularly younger. Overseas, the youngest patients with uterine fibroids are 10 to 14 years old, the youngest patient in China is 15 years old, and the youngest patient I have diagnosed clinically is only 19 years old," said Dr. Emma Wilson, a gynecologist. She added that the onset of the disease in young women is related to genetic factors to a certain extent, but hormone pollution in the living environment is also an important reason.
The main cause of uterine fibroids is excessive estrogen in the body or excessive utilization of estrogen. There are two main factors leading to the younger age of patients. First, women nowadays generally develop earlier than before. Second, hormone pollution in the current dietary environment is more serious than before. For example, the chickens, fish and other livestock raised now grow rapidly because a small amount of hormonal substances are added to their feed. Long-term consumption of such raised chickens and fish is equivalent to taking a small amount of hormones for a long time, which will affect our health over time.
For young girls and adolescents, although the incidence of uterine fibroids is relatively low, it cannot be ignored. Parents should pay attention to their children's physical changes, such as abnormal vaginal bleeding, abdominal pain and other symptoms, and take them to the hospital for examination in time. At the same time, it is necessary to pay attention to a healthy diet, reduce the intake of food with potential hormone pollution, and develop good living habits, which is of great significance for preventing the occurrence of uterine fibroids.