Women often go to the gynecologist with complaints of prolonged menstruation. This disorder may indicate many disorders in the reproductive system. One of them is the submucosal node. Timely detection of pathology allows you to cure it without any complications. Therefore, every woman should know what symptoms she manifests.
Brief description of the problem
Submucosal node (or submucosal fibroids) is a benign neoplasm localized under the mucous membrane of the reproductive organ and partially protruding into its cavity. This pathology is considered one of the most common in gynecology. Recently, it has been increasingly diagnosed among young women, which is very alarming for doctors.
Causes for the development of pathology
The exact causes of the disease have not yet been established. However, numerous clinical studies have identified a number of factors, the combination of which increases the likelihood of the onset of a submucosal node. These include:
- hormonal changes;
- overweight;
- prolonged physicalload;
- inflammatory diseases;
- repeated abortions;
- taking oral contraceptives;
- genetic predisposition.
Even a qualified doctor cannot always accurately determine what exactly provoked the pathological process. At the same time, it is important to consider all possible factors. For example, hormonal imbalance is often the result of polycystic ovaries. This pathology is considered extremely unfavorable for a woman's reproductive he alth.
Excess body weight also leads to hormonal imbalances. Sometimes a submucosal node is observed in the anamnesis of women over 30 who have not given birth before that time. Determining the cause of the pathology allows you to predict its outcome.
First signs of violation
Approximately in 50% of cases, the development of the pathological process is asymptomatic. In the rest of the women, at the initial stage of the formation of the neoplasm, hyperpolymenorrhea is observed - abundant and prolonged menstruation. The appearance of this symptom is due to an increase in the size of the submucosal node. As a result, the myometrium cannot fully contract, and the endometrium begins to be partially rejected. In the future, the body will try to independently normalize the functioning of the reproductive system. Unfortunately, efforts do not always end in a positive result.
Very often with hyperpolymenorrhea, there is a separation of mucous secretion. The entire period of menstruation is accompanied by severe pain. Manywomen complain of increased discomfort while sitting.
If the submucosal node is small, there is no pain between periods. As the neoplasm grows, a disproportionate increase in the volume of the abdomen can be observed. The twisting of its legs is accompanied by a sharp rise in temperature. With such an acute course of the pathological process, it is urgent to call a team of medical workers. Neglecting one's own he alth is dangerous for the development of infertility.
Is pregnancy possible?
Many women who have learned about their diagnosis, the question arises: "have found a submucosal node in the uterus - to operate or not?". In most cases, you can hear a positive answer, because the neoplasm is one of the causes of infertility. The thing is that the progression of the pathological process leads to hormonal changes and the absence of ovulation. In addition, the knot may block the exit from the fallopian tubes. This negatively affects the advancement of the egg to the implantation site, as a result, an ectopic pregnancy is diagnosed.
Every woman of childbearing age should understand that the treatment of this pathology is necessary. It should start as early as possible. This is the only way to hope for a favorable outcome - the onset of pregnancy.
Diagnostic Methods
When symptoms of an illness appear, you should immediately contact a gynecologist. Diagnosis of neoplasm is carried out in several stages. First, the doctor conducts an examination on the gynecological chair. He can easilydetermine the deformation and increase in the uterine body, which is typical for this pathology. Then they proceed to instrumental diagnostic methods to identify the type of neoplasm. The examination includes the following procedures:
- Ultrasound (transabdominal/transvaginal);
- MRI;
- hysteroscopy.
The last two diagnostic options are considered the most informative. With the help of MRI, it is possible to determine the presence of a neoplasm at the initial stages of its development, to visualize the slightest changes in the tissues of the reproductive organ. Hysteroscopy allows you to take material for subsequent laboratory research. Sometimes this method is used to remove the submucosal node.
Basic Principles of Therapy
Treatment of the pathological process consists of two stages. First, with the help of hormonal agents or surgery, the neoplasm is affected. Then the woman is assigned measures to restore reproductive function. The choice of a specific treatment regimen depends on the size of the node. With its early detection, preference is given to conservative methods.
Hormone Therapy
If a woman is diagnosed with a small submucosal node, treatment begins with hormonal drugs. Their use usually leads to regression of the neoplasm, but sometimes the opposite effect can be observed. Therefore, such therapy takes place cyclically, when taking medications is alternated with their cancellation. This approach reduces the riskrelapse.
From a wide variety of hormonal drugs today, doctors prefer combined drugs or pure gestagens. The first category includes "Yarina" and "Zhanin", and the second - "Dufaston", "Utrozhestan". The treatment regimen is selected individually and depends on the stage of development of the submucosal node in the uterus.
Treatment with combined oral contraceptives is prescribed from the first day of menstruation. It is advisable to take the tablet at approximately the same time. After the end of the course (21 pills), they take a break for seven days, then start a new pack. During this week period, a menstrual-like reaction passes.
Pure gestagens are prescribed one tablet twice a day. They should be taken from the 5th to the 25th day of the cycle, so the course of treatment is also 21 days. Then there is a week break. The treatment is then restarted with a new pack of pills.
Surgery
If the newborn submucosal node has a significant size, and hormonal treatment was ineffective, surgical intervention is required. The following operational manipulations are currently used:
- Laparoscopy (removal of the neoplasm through small incisions in the abdominal wall).
- Uterine artery embolization (introduction of special solutions to block the vessels that feed the node).
- Hysteroresectoscopy (the neoplasm is removed with a hysteroscope).
- FUZ ablation (treatment with ultrasound waves).
- Hysterectomy (cavitary type operation).
In most cases, patients are prescribed hysteroresectoscopy of the submucosal node. This is a minimally invasive operation. It is considered the best option for those women who want to restore reproductive he alth and try on the role of a mother in the future.
Hysterectomy is recognized as the most radical method of treatment. During the intervention, the surgeon completely removes the uterus, which leads to irreversible infertility. Such an operation is resorted to only in extreme cases, when there is a rapid growth of the node.
Help of traditional medicine
Many of the fair sex, having learned about their diagnosis, are in no hurry to start treatment. They prefer to resort to traditional medicine even when gynecologists warn them of possible complications. Doctors allow the option of non-traditional treatment for submucosal nodes, but only as an addition to the main therapy.
Traditional healers offer to fight pathology with the help of various decoctions and douches. Most of the positive feedback from the infusion of burdock. To prepare it, you need to pour 5 g of dry raw materials into 500 ml of boiling water, let it brew for eight hours. Take the remedy before meals, 100 ml each.
Similar infusions can also be prepared using carrot tops, aloe or calendula. It should be noted that before starting treatment, it is necessary to consult a doctor. Sometimes folk recipes do more harmwhat's the use.
Restoring reproductive he alth
After removal of the submucosal node, you can start planning a pregnancy, but before that you need to undergo an examination. According to its results, the doctor will be able to tell whether ovulation occurs or not. When the phenomenon of anovulation is observed, a woman is prescribed special drugs to stimulate it. The effectiveness of the treatment is assessed using ultrasound. If the dominant follicle grows and then ruptures, the therapy is considered effective.
In this case, we can say that the probability of pregnancy is high. A woman is prescribed progestogen medications to maintain the luteal phase. After successfully conceiving a child, these drugs will contribute to the normal development of pregnancy.
Prognosis for recovery
Treatment of a neoplasm by any of the methods listed in this article provides a positive result. However, today there is no such technique that could guarantee the recovery of the patient. Each therapy option has its own advantages and contraindications, disadvantages, and possible complications. Therefore, it is impossible to say exactly which method of treatment is the most preferable for the diagnosis of "submucosal node in the uterus."
To operate or not, to prescribe hormonal drugs or to limit yourself to expectant management - all these issues are decided by the doctor. At the same time, he must take into account the condition of the woman, the severity of the pathological process and a number of related factors. CostsIt should be noted that the chances of recovery are very high, but much depends on the patient herself. Some women after surgery manage to maintain reproductive function. They successfully carry a child and give birth.
What is the danger of a submucosal node in the uterus?
Lack of timely treatment of pathology or poor-quality therapy can lead to the development of complications. Among them, the following are considered the most dangerous:
- Uncontrolled bleeding. Often the discharge becomes so abundant that the patient is diagnosed with iron deficiency anemia. With this disorder, a woman experiences weakness, headaches, and the skin acquires a characteristic pallor.
- The appearance of myoma formation. This disorder is usually caused by intense physical activity. Its first symptom is severe cramping pain, which ends in profuse bleeding.
- Disruption of nutrition of the submucosal node. The cause of this violation is the torsion of the legs of the neoplasm. As a result, tissue death occurs, which requires an emergency operation.
Another unpleasant complication of the pathological process is infertility. This is described in more detail a little higher in the article.
Prevention measures
The main way to prevent any gynecological disease, including the submucosal node, is a regular visit to the gynecologist. This means that at least once a year you need to go to an appointment with this specialist. Early identification of the problem is the keyget well soon.
In addition, it is necessary to avoid factors provoking the disease. These include frequent abortions, long-term use of oral contraceptives, lack of lactation up to 30 years. The exclusion of these factors allows you to minimize the risk of such pathologies as uterine fibroids, submucosal node.
