Patient's question:
Detailed medical condition and consultation purpose: I was diagnosed with uterine fibroids via ultrasound in October of this year, with a size of 5 cm. Please advise whether surgery is necessary, and what the recovery period is.Duration of the current illness and persistence: 2005.10
First follow-up question: Can traditional Chinese medicine be used for regulation? Which herbs should be chosen? If growth is controlled, would surgery be unnecessary? Does the surgery require the removal of the uterus?
Doctor's answer:
There are many ways to treat uterine fibroids, with traditional surgical treatment being the most common. This includes total hysterectomy, subtotal hysterectomy, myomectomy, uterine artery embolization, and ultrasound ablation, among others. Surgical approaches include open surgery with large incisions, hysteroscopy, or laparoscopy. Hysterectomy can lead to loss of the uterus, abdominal scars, vaginal dryness, decreased libido, osteoporosis, perimenopausal symptoms, and ovarian dysfunction, so it should be chosen with caution. After laparoscopic surgery, there is a 50% chance of recurrence, and 1/3 of patients may need a second surgery. There is also a risk of severe bleeding and damage to surrounding organs during the procedure. Currently, the most ideal treatment for uterine fibroids is non-invasive ultrasound ablation. This method does not require surgery or anesthesia, preserves the uterus, and eliminates surgical and anesthetic risks. The procedure is short, recovery is quick, and the overall cost is relatively low (for example, treating uterine fibroids only takes 1-2 hours, and patients can return home after resting for half an hour post-treatment. All costs, including examination fees, are around 10,000 yuan). The treatment can be done on an outpatient basis.