Article in Meilener Anzeiger: Pregnancy checkups

Pregnancy is a special time—full of anticipation, but also with medical challenges. Regular checkups are important to monitor the health of mother and child and identify potential risks early on.

Fibroids often go unnoticed and cause no symptoms. In some cases, however, they lead to heavy and prolonged menstrual bleeding, a feeling of pressure in the lower abdomen, or pain. Increased urinary urgency and digestive problems are also possible if larger fibroids affect neighboring organs. Although fibroids are not malignant, they can significantly reduce quality of life and, in some cases, affect fertility. Various conservative treatment approaches are available. Hormone therapy with progestogens or hormone IUDs can be a good symptomatic treatment for heavy bleeding. Medication options such as selective progesterone receptor modulators or GnRH antagonists are also available. Another minimally invasive method is fibroid embolization, in which the blood supply to the fibroids is specifically blocked so that they shrink. Depending on the location and life situation of the affected patients, various surgical treatment options are available. Smaller fibroids that grow into the uterine cavity can be reduced in size and simultaneously removed using a shaver during hysteroscopy. Alternatively, they can be resected using a small electric loop. In the case of larger fibroids or those that grow into the abdominal cavity, the fibroid – or, if necessary, the entire uterus – can be removed by laparoscopy using robotic technology or by abdominal incision. It is also possible to use radiofrequency energy to heat the fibroids in a targeted manner in order to reduce their size and alleviate symptoms. Affected women should seek individual advice from their gynecologist to find the appropriate treatment option. Not every fibroid needs to be treated—but if symptoms occur, there are numerous ways to improve quality of life. Early diagnosis can help to target and effectively combat the symptoms.