Uterine myoma, which has increased 46% over four years, risks infertility and pregnancy complications when left unattended

Feb 28, 2025

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If your menstrual volume has increased excessively recently, or if you have pelvic pain or pressure suddenly, you should suspect uterine fibroids. Uterine myoma is a benign tumor that develops in smooth muscle cells and fibroblasts in the uterus. It is so common that one in three women of childbearing age experience it, but there are many asymptomatic cases, so they are often accidentally known through regular tests.

According to the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, the number of uterine myoma patients increased by about 46% from 435,147 in 2019 to 638,683 in 2023. The incidence is increasing mainly in women in their 20s and 40s of childbearing age

Uterine myoma is a non-cancerous tumor that is generally not fatal but can cause abnormal uterine bleeding, pelvic pain, and pressure depending on its size and location.

Professor Kim Jeong-cheol of obstetrics and gynecology at Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital emphasized that early diagnosis is important not to miss the timing of treatment, as some patients can cause reproductive problems such as infertility or pregnancy complications.

Female hormones such as estrogen and progesterone are known to affect uterine fibroids, and other major risk factors include rapid menarche, obesity, race, family history, and environmental factors. In terms of timing, there is a possibility that the size of uterine fibroids will increase during childbearing age, and conversely, it is known to decrease after menopause.

Typical symptoms are excessive menstruation, pelvic pain and pressure, anemia, and reproductive dysfunction, and symptoms appear differently depending on the size and location of the myoma. 'Submucosal myoma', which grows myoma on the endometrium side, is closely related to excessive menstruation, and the larger the size, the higher the risk of anemia. 'Subserous myoma', where the myoma is located outside the uterus, can cause pelvic compression symptoms or pain. One of the uterine myomas is also a growth in the uterine muscles.

Diagnosis is mainly made through pelvic examination and ultrasound examination. If more precise examination is needed, cervical examination, physiological saline infusion ultrasound, MRI, etc. are used, and biopsy is sometimes performed if the lesion is suspected to be malignant.

Treatment of uterine myoma depends on the patient's symptoms and conditions. If there are no symptoms or mild symptoms, periodic observation alone is sufficient, but treatment is required if severe bleeding, pain, or reproductive dysfunction is accompanied.

Professor Kim Jeong-cheol can perform medication that regulates sex hormones such as 'GnRH agonists' and 'progesterone antagonists' as treatment methods and procedural and surgical treatments such as uterine artery embolization, uterine myoma resection, and hysterectomy. Recently, minimally invasive treatment considering fertility preservation has been preferred," he said.

Professor Kim said, `Cervical myoma can cause infertility or pregnancy complications. In particular, studies have shown that submucosal myoma, which deforms the lumen of the uterus, can lower pregnancy rates and increase the risk of miscarriage. Why it is important to diagnose uterine myoma early through regular gynecological examination and to have appropriate treatment plan"

To prevent uterine myoma, it is important to have a healthy lifestyle. There are reports that regular exercise, maintenance of proper weight, and sufficient vitamin D intake lower the risk of developing uterine myoma. If you already have uterine myoma, you should prevent anemia through iron intake and manage it with regular checkups.

Professor Kim Jung-cheol said "Fortunately, it is quite unlikely that uterine myoma will progress to cancer such as uterine sarcoma." However, it is difficult to completely discriminate between the two diseases only by examination, so regular follow-up is necessary, and surgical treatment can be considered if necessary."

Subsequently, "Cervical myoma is difficult to detect early because it is often asymptomatic or mild. If symptoms such as changes in the menstrual cycle, excessive menstruation, and pelvic pain persist for no reason, appropriate treatment is needed through specialist counseling. Regular follow-up is also essential because there is a risk of recurrence after treatment."