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How do I know if I have uterine fibroids or endometriosis?
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Endometriosis and uterine fibroids have certain symptoms in common, such as painful or heavy periods, abdominal pain and fertility problems. However, they do not have the same causes and are not treated in the same way. That is why a correct diagnosis is crucial. Prof. Weyers, gynecologist and head of the Women’s Clinic, UZ Ghent, highlights the differences.
Endometriosis
Prof. Weyers
This underestimated chronic condition affects approximately 10% of women of childbearing age. The main characteristic is the presence of tissue similar to the uterine lining (the endometrium) outside the uterus. Endometriosis can occur from the first menstrual period. “The most important mechanism is the phenomenon of retrograde menstruation: many women will not only lose blood during their menstruation through the vaginal route, but also through the fallopian tubes to the abdominal cavity,” explains Prof. Weyers. “This blood contains cells from the endometrium and these can settle in various places in the abdominal cavity. These foci then continue to grow cyclically, sometimes bleeding into the abdominal cavity and causing an inflammatory reaction. Not only can this lead to very painful periods, pain during sexual intercourse, bowel movements, urination, etc., but it can also affect fertility.”
The simplest way to make endometriosis less active, and therefore to suppress pain and bleeding problems, is a form of hormonal treatment. If the complaints are too pronounced or the influence on other organs is too great, surgery may sometimes be necessary.
Fibroids in the uterus
Uterine fibroids, also called fibroids, are benign (non-cancerous) tumors that arise in or around the uterus. Prof. Weyers: “These growths vary in size and consist of muscle tissue and fibrous tissue. The condition is common, with an estimated 60% to 80% of women of childbearing age developing uterine fibroids at some point in their lives. These are hormone sensitive (grow under the influence of hormones, especially estrogen) and can develop during the entire fertile phase of life (i.e. from the first menstruation until menopause). They are most common between the ages of 30 and 50 and will decrease in size once menopause occurs.”
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80% of fibroids are asymptomatic. This means that they give you little or no complaints. “If complaints do arise, they mainly concern heavier (and often more painful) menstruations, pressure and discomfort in the lower abdomen and sometimes it can also affect fertility. Here too, hormonal treatment can positively influence the size and symptoms of uterine fibroids, other options are embolization (injection of the blood vessels that supply the fibroid with blood) or surgery. People often immediately think of removing the uterus, but know that in many cases the uterine fibroids can also simply be removed and the uterus can therefore be spared,” says Prof. Weyers.
Fibroids in the uterus? Check your symptoms online
Uterine fibroids are a little-known condition that can negatively impact the lives of many women of childbearing age. The symptoms are often difficult to recognize. Via the symptoms checker on the website www.womentalkingfibroids.be By answering a few simple questions, you can determine whether uterine fibroids could be the cause of your symptoms.
Do you suffer from pelvic or abdominal pain, heavy bleeding or recurring pain before, during or after your period or during sex? Then it is essential that you consult your gynecologist. Tests will show whether it is a condition and which one exactly. After the diagnosis, you can consult your gynecologist treatments to help relieve the symptoms and pain caused by your condition. Good treatment will significantly improve your quality of life.
In collaboration with Gedeon Richter Benelux
2023-288, date of revision 10/2023
Last updated: October 2023
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2023-10-31 23:01:12
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