What is Myoma?

In simplest terms, myoma is a benign tumor of the uterus and is also called a tumor. It is one of the most common tumors in women. In fact, according to some sources, it is seen in 70-80% of women at some point in their lives.

What Causes Myoma?

Because myomas are tumors arising from the uterine wall, they are sensitive to female hormones such as estrogen and progesterone. Therefore, it is thought that people with high levels of estrogen and progesterone have a higher risk of developing myoma. Especially during pregnancy, when these two hormones are high, the risk of existing myomas growing is high. Apart from this, in overweight people, the amount of estrogen is high because there is estrogen production in the fat tissue, and these people are more likely to have fibroids.

What are the Symptoms of Myoma?

Myomas are divided into different classes according to their location. It is possible to divide it into three parts: inside the uterine cavity, outside and on the uterine wall. Myomas inside the uterine cavity and on the uterine wall can cause excessive menstrual bleeding, breakthrough bleeding, infertility and miscarriages. Myomas outside the uterus do not cause any symptoms until they become larger. However, if large myomas are in the front of the uterus, they can put pressure on the bladder and cause frequent urination. Myomas in the back of the uterus can put pressure on the large intestine and cause constipation. Some fibroids can put pressure on the urinary tract and cause kidney pain. In addition, all myomas can cause groin pain and a feeling of pressure in the groin area.

When to Consult a Physician for Myomas?

If a woman has one or more complaints such as heavy menstrual bleeding, breakthrough bleeding, inability to have children, groin pain, constipation, frequent urination, it is important for her to undergo a gynecological examination. If a myoma is detected, your physician will explain to you what the myoma may cause, depending on its size and location, and inform you about the need for surgery.

How Are Myomas Treated?

Although there is no successful drug treatment for fibroids, the main treatment is surgery. The type of surgery to be performed varies depending on the person's desire for a child. If a woman is older and has completed her desire to have children, the uterus can be removed directly, thus eliminating the risk of myoma recurring in the future and protecting the patient from diseases that may be caused by the uterus, such as uterine cancer. However, in younger women who want to have children, the method is to only remove the fibroids and not damage the uterus. With this surgical method, defined as fertility-preserving surgery, myomas in the inner cavity of the uterus can be removed by hysteroscopy. It can be removed without the need for any incision by hysteroscopy, which is performed vaginally with a camera. Patients using this method can be discharged within a few hours. It is necessary to reach myomas outside this group from the abdomen. The type of surgery is performed by open or closed, that is, laparoscopic method. Open surgeries are performed through an incision similar to a cesarean section, while laparoscopy is performed by entering the abdomen with thin instruments through a few small holes of half a centimeter and accompanied by a camera and a screen. Nowadays, closed, or laparoscopic, myoma removal is a more modern and much more advantageous method for the patient. In our practice, the majority of myoma surgeries are performed by the closed method.

Frequently Asked Questions About Myomas