At the age of 51, Ms. Nguyen Thi Ly (Vinh Hung, Hanoi) noticed that her waistline was getting bigger but thought it was due to weight gain in premenopause. Only when her abdomen became abnormally large did she go for an examination at Thanh Nhan Hospital and unexpectedly discovered a uterine fibroid tumor weighing about 6kg.
Through examination and diagnostic imaging, doctors of the Obstetrics Department discovered a large uterine fibroid tumor, developing for a long time. Ms. Ly was then operated on to remove the tumor weighing about 6kg.
When I knew the tumor was about 6kg big, I was very surprised. I thought if I had gone for an examination earlier, I probably wouldn't have let the tumor grow so big," Ms. Ly shared.
According to MSc.BS Hoang Son Tung (Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Thanh Nhan Hospital), uterine fibroids are a common gynecological disease in women and are mostly benign. However, large tumors or those located in special locations can cause pain, abdominal tightness, menstrual disorders, prolonged menstruation, hypermenstruation, anemia or compression of the bladder and digestive tract.
It is noteworthy that in middle-aged women, signs such as a large belly, bloating, or heavy belly are easily mistaken for weight gain or hormonal changes. This makes many people subjective and delay examination.
Doctors recommend that women, especially over 40 years old, should have regular gynecological examinations. When they see their waist circumference increase rapidly for unknown reasons, prolonged abdominal pain or tightness, abnormal menstruation, prolonged menstruation, menstruation or changes in urination and bowel movements, they need to see a doctor to determine the cause.
Uterine fibroids can be detected through gynecological examinations and ultrasounds. Not every case requires surgery, but large tumors or those that affect health need to be assessed by doctors and appropriate treatment methods chosen.
