Frequently asked questions

Fibroids are growths of smooth muscle tissue of abnormal size seen in the uterus and the cervix.

The most common symptoms are heavy bleeding during periods, anaemia, enlargement of the abdomen and uterus, severe pain during sexual intercourse, lower back and tailbone pain, a frequent urge to urinate, blockage of the fallopian tubes (in some cases fibroids can cause the tubes to become blocked) and constipation.

Today, closed operations in particular are widely used in the surgical treatment of fibroids. If the fibroid is close to the inner layer of the uterus, the operation is performed by hysteroscopy; if it is deeper and larger, it is performed laparoscopically. In recent years, fibroid surgery has been performed successfully, especially robotically.

The answer is very clear; no. The uterus can be preserved in many cases. One of the important points here is the experience of the surgeon who applies these surgical techniques. Follow-up after surgery is important, especially in patients whose uterus has been preserved.

They are most frequently seen in the 35-40 age group. The probability of them being seen during adolescence is quite low, but their frequency may increase in parallel with advancing age.

Over time, certain changes can occur in fibroids; this is called ‘degeneration’. The most important of these is sarcomatous degeneration, which indicates that the fibroid has become a malignant tumour. The rate of sarcoma in a fibroid (the likelihood of it being cancer) is reported as about 1 in 500 women on average, and this likelihood increases with the patient’s age. It is very difficult to tell whether a fibroid is benign or malignant without surgery; the diagnosis is usually made after the fibroid has been removed and examined pathologically.

Fibroids are benign tumours that arise from the muscle layer of the uterus. Since men do not have a uterus, fibroids do not occur in men.

Depending on where they form in the uterus, fibroids can cause certain problems in sexual life. When a prolapsed fibroid is present, sexual intercourse becomes quite difficult. Submucosal and cervical fibroids can cause pain during intercourse and bleeding afterwards. Intramural and subserosal fibroids rarely cause pain and usually cause no complaints.

The definitive treatment of fibroids is surgical removal. After surgery, bleeding from the site where the fibroid was removed may rarely occur. The most important long-term concern is rupture at the site where the fibroid was removed during a later pregnancy; this is a very serious and potentially life-threatening condition. For this reason, women who have previously had fibroid surgery should be closely monitored when they become pregnant.

When fibroids are removed surgically, the patient is considered treated. When medical treatment is used, the treatment lasts at least 6 months.

Although fibroids can occur in women of any age, they are most often seen in women of reproductive age. After menopause, new fibroids form very rarely, while existing fibroids shrink or even disappear. Fibroids are very rare in girls who have not yet started menstruating.

Fibroids often cause complaints such as heavy and prolonged menstrual bleeding, pain, infertility and frequent urination. If left untreated, these complaints gradually worsen; anaemia due to heavy bleeding and recurrent urinary tract infections may develop, and the condition can cause psychological strain for couples who wish to have children. In the rare case of a malignant fibroid (sarcoma), the disease progresses to more advanced stages.

Fibroids are benign tumours that arise from the smooth muscle tissue of the uterus. They can recur after medical or surgical treatment. When the uterus is removed completely (hysterectomy), no uterine muscle tissue remains, so fibroids do not recur.

Depending on their location in the uterus, fibroids can prevent pregnancy or cause recurrent miscarriages. Submucosal fibroids can prevent pregnancy and lead to miscarriage. Intramural fibroids sometimes affect the ability to conceive and sometimes do not. Subserosal fibroids have no effect on getting pregnant.

Because fibroids are usually seen in women of reproductive age, they do not go away on their own in this age group. After menopause, however, fibroids can shrink or even disappear completely.

When fibroids cause no complaints or the patient does not attend routine check-ups, they go undetected; in this case they can keep growing and may have negative effects on the ability to conceive. In the case of a malignant fibroid (sarcoma), the disease progresses to more advanced stages.

Fibroids are benign tumours that arise from the muscle layer of the uterus. Cysts, on the other hand, are benign structures that arise from the ovaries; in other words, they originate in different places. Cysts are usually filled with fluid, whereas fibroids have a solid structure.

If you suspect a fibroid, you should see an obstetrician and gynaecologist for an examination without delay.