SEOUL — Uterine fibroids, common benign growths in the muscular walls of the uterus, are on a steady rise. Recent healthcare statistics reveal that the number of patients diagnosed with uterine fibroids grew by more than 20 percent over a five-year period, climbing from roughly 524,000 to over 631,000.

Medical experts note that these tumors affect an estimated 20 to 40 percent of women of reproductive age. Because symptoms can vary widely or remain entirely absent depending on where the growths develop, early detection often proves challenging.

Gynecologists explain that the clinical impact of a fibroid is largely dictated by its specific anatomical location. Submucosal fibroids—those located just beneath the inner lining of the uterus—frequently cause heavy menstrual bleeding and severe discomfort, even when they are relatively small. Conversely, subserosal fibroids, which expand outward from the outer surface of the uterus, may grow quite large before triggering pelvic pressure, urinary frequency, or no noticeable signs at all. Intramural fibroids, embedded directly within the uterine muscle wall, remain the most frequently diagnosed variant.

Clinical management depends on multiple factors, including tumor size, number, growth trajectory, symptom severity, and the patient's age and future pregnancy intentions. Asymptomatic patients with stable fibroids are often monitored through routine ultrasound follow-ups, whereas medical therapies can help manage excessive bleeding and pain.

For cases involving rapid growth, severe symptoms, or potential threats to fertility, surgical intervention becomes necessary. Modern advancements, such as single-site robotic procedures performed through a discreet incision in the navel, allow surgeons to operate with high precision in confined pelvic spaces while minimizing visible scarring.

Specialists emphasize that for younger women planning to have children, tailoring treatment plans to preserve uterine health is paramount. While the exact triggers of fibroids remain under investigation, female sex hormones like estrogen and progesterone, alongside genetic predispositions, are known contributors.

Doctors advise women to seek professional medical evaluation if they experience warning signs such as prolonged or unusually heavy periods, intermenstrual bleeding, persistent pelvic pain, abdominal bloating, urinary urgency, or anemia-related fatigue.

[ⓒ Global Economic Times. 무단전재-재배포 금지]