Many women immediately feel fear when they hear the word "tumor." However, not all tumors are cancerous or life-threatening. In medical terms, a tumor refers to an abnormal growth of tissue in the body. Tumors can be benign or malignant. Benign uterine tumors typically grow more slowly, do not spread to other organs, and are generally treatable if detected early.
Although considered benign, this condition should not be taken lightly. A tumor that continues to grow can affect physical comfort, disrupt daily activities, and even impact a woman's reproductive health and quality of life. Unfortunately, many women are unaware of the presence of uterine tumors because the symptoms are often vague or mistaken for normal menstrual problems.
Therefore, it is important to understand what benign uterine tumors actually are, what their symptoms are, what causes them, and how to treat them to prevent more serious complications later on.
What is a Benign Uterine Tumor?
Benign uterine tumors most often refer to uterine myomas, or fibroids, which are lumps that grow in the muscle wall of the uterus. Myomas can vary in size, from tiny, seed-like, to large enough to fill the uterine cavity. They can be single or multiple.
Besides fibroids, there are also other types of benign tumors in the uterine area, such as uterine polyps or certain non-malignant cysts. However, fibroids are the most common type found in women of reproductive age.
Many benign uterine tumors don't cause any symptoms, especially if they're small. Therefore, some women only discover their condition accidentally during a routine ultrasound, pregnancy checkup, or menstrual checkup.
While not as dangerous as cancer, benign tumors can still cause various problems if they grow larger or interfere with surrounding organs. In some cases, tumors can press on the bladder or intestines, or even affect fertility.
Common Symptoms
Symptoms of benign uterine tumors can vary from person to person. Some people experience no symptoms, while others experience symptoms severe enough to interfere with daily activities.
One of the most common symptoms is excessively heavy or longer-lasting periods. Some women even have to change their pads more frequently due to excessive bleeding. This condition is often dismissed as just a "normal heavy period," but it could actually be a sign of fibroids.
Additionally, menstrual pain may feel stronger than usual. The pain can occur in the pelvic area, lower abdomen, or lower back. In some people, the pain persists even when they are not menstruating.
Benign uterine tumors can also cause a feeling of fullness or pressure in the lower abdomen. If they are large enough, the abdomen may appear enlarged, bloated, or even resemble a small pregnancy. This occurs because the lump presses on the surrounding tissue.
Other complaints that also arise quite frequently include:
- Frequent urination due to tumor pressing on the bladder
- Difficulty defecating or constipation due to pressure on the intestines
- Pain during intercourse
- Back or waist pain
- Get tired quickly and get dizzy easily due to anemia due to excessive bleeding
- The body feels weak and lacks energy
In some women, benign uterine tumors can also affect fertility or cause difficulty conceiving, depending on their location and size.
What caused it?
To date, the exact cause of benign uterine tumors is unknown. However, experts suspect several factors contribute to their growth.
One of the main factors is the hormones estrogen and progesterone. These two hormones play a role in the menstrual cycle and uterine tissue development. Because of their hormonal influence, benign uterine tumors are more common in women of childbearing age and usually shrink after menopause when hormone production decreases.
Besides hormones, genetic or hereditary factors are also thought to play a role. If a mother, older sibling, or other family member has had fibroids, the risk of developing a similar condition may be higher.
Several other factors that are often associated with benign uterine tumors include:
- Reproductive age
- Overweight or obesity
- Unhealthy eating patterns
- Lack of physical activity
- First menstruation at too early an age
- Imbalanced hormonal pressure
However, having risk factors does not necessarily mean a person will develop benign uterine tumors. Conversely, even women without risk factors can still develop them.
How to Find Out?
Because symptoms are often nonspecific, a medical examination is crucial to confirm the presence of a benign uterine tumor. The doctor will usually begin by asking about any symptoms, such as menstrual patterns, pelvic pain, or changes in the body.
Afterward, the doctor may perform a physical examination of the pelvic area to check for an enlarged uterus or any lumps. However, the most common primary examination is an ultrasound.
Ultrasound helps doctors see the size, number, and location of tumors more clearly. This test is also relatively quick and commonly performed during obstetrical exams.
In certain conditions, the doctor may suggest additional examinations such as:
- transvaginal ultrasound
- MRI
- Hysteroscopy
- Blood test to check for anemia
Further examination is usually carried out if the tumor is large, the symptoms are severe, or a more detailed assessment is needed before determining therapy.
How to Treat Benign Uterine Tumors
Treatment of benign uterine tumors depends largely on the tumor size, location, patient age, level of symptoms, and future pregnancy plans.
If the tumor is still small and not causing any symptoms, doctors usually only recommend regular monitoring. Patients will be asked to have regular check-ups to see if the tumor changes in size or begins to cause any symptoms.
However, if the complaint starts to become a nuisance, some treatment options that can be taken include:
- Drugs
Doctors can prescribe medications to help reduce symptoms, such as reducing menstrual bleeding or helping regulate hormones. These treatments usually aim to relieve symptoms, not completely remove the tumor.
- Minimally invasive procedure
In some cases, certain medical procedures can be performed without major surgery. These procedures aim to shrink or stop tumor growth with a relatively quicker recovery.
- Operation
If the tumor is very large, causing heavy bleeding, or interfering with fertility, surgery may be necessary. The type of surgery can vary depending on the patient's condition. Some surgeries only remove the fibroids, while others also remove the uterus in certain circumstances.
The choice of therapy must be carefully considered with an obstetrician because each patient has different conditions and needs.
Can Benign Uterine Tumors Be Prevented?
There's no definitive way to prevent benign uterine tumors. However, maintaining a healthy lifestyle is believed to help reduce the risk or maintain hormonal balance.
Some steps that can be taken include:
- Maintain ideal body weight
- Regular exercise
- Eating a balanced nutritious diet
- Reduce foods high in fat and excess sugar
- Check your reproductive health regularly
- Don't ignore changes in your menstrual cycle
Regular check-ups are important, especially if you have a family history of fibroids or frequently experience menstrual irregularities.
When Should You See a Doctor Immediately?
Don't wait until symptoms worsen. See a doctor immediately if you experience:
- Very heavy or prolonged menstruation
- Bleeding outside the menstrual cycle
- Persistent pelvic pain
- Lower abdomen feels enlarged
- Frequent urination for no apparent reason
- Body is very weak or easily dizzy
- Severe pain during menstruation
Early examination helps the doctor determine whether the complaint is caused by a benign uterine tumor or another condition that requires different treatment.
The sooner it is discovered, the easier it is to treat and the risk of complications can be reduced.
Closing
Benign uterine tumors are not cancer, but they should not be taken lightly. Many women go years without realizing they have a lump in their uterus because the symptoms are often vague and resemble common menstrual problems.
By recognizing the signs early, conducting regular check-ups, and not delaying consultation when complaints arise, this condition can be better managed before it causes more serious problems.
Maintaining reproductive health is not only about treating illnesses, but also about understanding your body's signals and having the courage to get checked when there are unusual changes.
Article written by Dr. Caroline Tirtajasa, Sp.OG (K) (Obstetrics, Gynecology, Fertility & Reproductive Hormone Specialist, Laparoscopic Surgeon at EMC Pulomas Hospital).