When should surgery be performed on endometrial fibroids? How big should endometrial fibroids be before surgery is needed?

Endometrial fibroids are one of the most common benign gynecological tumors, and their incidence is high among women. For women with endometrial fibroids, choosing the right treatment is crucial. Surgery is a common treatment, however, how large an endometrial fibroid should be to require surgery remains a controversial topic. In this article, we will explore the indications for surgery for endometrial fibroids and other treatments.

1. The size of endometrial fibroids does not always determine whether surgery is needed. Although in most cases, the size of the tumor is related to the severity of symptoms, factors that affect surgical decisions also include the patient's age, medical history, and fertility plans.

2. The determination of surgical indications requires doctors to consider multiple factors. If endometrial fibroids cause obvious symptoms, such as irregular menstruation, increased menstrual bleeding, abdominal pain, etc., and drug treatment is ineffective or cannot be tolerated, surgery may be the best option.

3. Endometrial fibroid surgery can be performed in a variety of ways, including traditional laparotomy and more advanced laparoscopic surgery. Laparoscopic surgery has the advantages of less trauma, faster recovery, and less impact on the patient's quality of life. However, for extremely large or complex masses, laparotomy may be more appropriate.

4. For small endometrial fibroids with no symptoms or mild symptoms, your doctor may recommend conservative treatment, such as observation and lifestyle intervention. This treatment may include regular checkups, medications, and changes in lifestyle habits, such as diet and exercise.

5. When women plan to get pregnant, the decision to have surgery may be different. Some endometrial fibroids may have an adverse effect on the implantation and development of the embryo, and surgery can improve the chances of successful pregnancy. Therefore, if the patient has a desire to have children, surgery may be considered earlier.

6. There is no clear standard to determine the specific time point for surgery for endometrial fibroids. Each patient's situation is unique and requires doctors to make decisions based on individualized treatment strategies. Therefore, it is very important to have a detailed consultation with the doctor.

The decision to have surgery for endometrial fibroids should be an individualized process that takes into account factors such as tumor size, symptom severity, age, and fertility desire. Not all fibroids require surgery, so doctors will consider different treatment options based on the patient's specific situation. For women who are concerned about surgery for endometrial fibroids, it is important to actively communicate with their doctors and develop an individualized treatment plan.