Patient's question:
Detailed medical condition and consultation purpose: Frequently experiencing stomach pain. Today, I went for a check-up and was told I have an ovarian cyst. The doctor recommended surgery, but I would like to consult if there are better treatment options available?Doctor's answer:
Uterine fibroids are the most common benign tumors in female reproductive organs, and their exact cause is unclear. It is generally believed that they may be related to long-term and excessive estrogen. When fibroids grow or embolism occurs within them, degeneration is likely to occur. They are most common in women aged 30-50. In traditional Chinese medicine, they are referred to as "tuan jian."Clinical symptoms are related to the location and size of the fibroid growth. Changes in menstruation are the most common symptom. Larger intramural and submucosal fibroids often lead to increased menstrual flow, prolonged periods, and shorter cycles, which may be accompanied by varying degrees of anemia. Submucosal fibroids may cause irregular vaginal bleeding or abnormal vaginal discharge. When fibroids grow, symptoms such as frequent urination, urgency, or difficulty urinating may appear due to compression. In some cases, a mass can be palpated in the lower abdomen. If a subserosal fibroid twists or degenerates, acute abdominal pain may occur. In some patients, fibroid growth may hinder the implantation of the fertilized egg or affect sperm passage, leading to infertility or miscarriage.
If the uterine fibroid is asymptomatic and smaller than the size of a 3-month pregnancy, with normal menstruation, follow-up examinations can be conducted every 3-4 months. Western medicine treatment primarily involves hormone drugs, while traditional Chinese medicine treatment requires prescription based on syndrome differentiation. Generally, traditional Chinese medicine treatment is the first consideration. If the fibroid is large or symptoms are significant, and treatment with medicine is not effective, surgery may be considered.