Gynecological myths about menopause and polyps

Many women do not have objective information regarding their health, which is why they may believe various ridiculous statements and myths regarding uterine fibroids, infertility, the development of endometrial cysts or polyps. They are terrified of the menopause, in which, in their opinion, serious problems will develop. However, in reality, everything is not as deplorable as it seems to women, and modern gynecology is ready to help in many difficult health situations, including problems with the uterus and appendages.

Uterine fibroids lead to infertility

Such a statement can often be heard from women who have encountered this problem themselves or know about it from their friends. But in reality, a fibroid is a benign tumor, which almost never leads to a transformation into a cancerous one. The prognosis for fibroids largely depends on its size and growth rate, and if it is small and slowly growing, the fibroids may not cause any discomfort to its owner for many years. It is usually discovered incidentally during a gynecological examination if the uterus is enlarged and there is no pregnancy.

The most unpleasant thing that is associated with fibroids is the achievement of large sizes by it. In such cases, it can cause difficulty in defecation or urination, threatens with bleeding or pain. And as such, fibroids can cause infertility only if it is large and deforms the uterine cavity, the mouth of the fallopian tube or the cervix. But this is not the case in all cases.

Endometrial polyps do not require removal

Many believe that polyps in the uterine cavity are not dangerous, they do not give any special manifestations, do not interfere with intimate life, and they do not need to be removed. But doctors say that this is not true and it is necessary to remove such formations in any case, except for glandular polyps in young women in the reproductive period. Such a polyp is usually not even detected; after the next menstruation, it disappears without a trace due to rejection of the endometrium.

If it is a polyp that is clearly detected on ultrasound and, according to several studies, has a tendency to grow, it must be removed, as it threatens to form uterine bleeding, leads to inflammatory processes of the endometrium and can threaten infertility. Often, a polyp of glandular-fibrous origin or having a purely fibrous structure can reach 5 cm in size. However, this is not the biggest concern of doctors associated with polyps. Their presence is often associated with the formation of endometrial cancer, but according to ultrasound data, it is impossible to determine whether this is a benign formation or it contains atypical cells. Therefore, during the removal of polyps, it is necessary to conduct a histological examination of the tissues obtained during the operation in order to determine the presence or absence of atypical cells in them.

The ovarian cyst resolves on its own

In reality, cysts can be of various origins. Only functional types are prone to self-resorption. These are formations in the structure of the ovary at the site of the follicle, filled with fluid. This kind of cyst (usually a corpus luteum cyst) can form in any woman during a completely normal monthly cycle and then disappear over the next two or three cycles.

But, according to doctors, if a cyst is found in the ovary for more than three months in a row, if there is no tendency to decrease in size, or there is a cyst on the leg with the threat of rupture or torsion, in this case, this formation must be removed. Otherwise, there is a risk of bleeding, tissue death and peritonitis, which is deadly.

Cysts can lead to ovarian and uterine cancer

This is an incorrect opinion, since most cysts are based on hormonal disruptions that occur from puberty until menopause. Infectious or inflammatory processes of the genital organs can also become causes of cysts. They cannot lead to cancer, especially if it is not an ovary, but a uterus, with which they are not anatomically connected. Large cysts are capable of disrupting the ovary’s production of hormones, this is caused by the replacement of functional tissue with cystic formations. It is worth distinguishing them from benign neoplasms in the ovaries, which require active monitoring. If the formation does not reduce its size, it must be removed.

At the beginning of menopause, you do not need to protect yourself

Believing in such statements, many women during the period of initial menopausal changes are faced with an unplanned pregnancy. Menopause at its start leads to a change in the menstrual cycle, but the eggs can still mature, and the ability to conceive remains, although not as high as at a young age. Even after the end of menstruation, up to two years, the activity of the ovaries for the production of eggs is still preserved, and against the background of a hormonal surge with menopause, pregnancy is possible. Therefore, menopause is a period when protection is necessary, and you need to choose the best drugs or means for reliable protection against pregnancy with your doctor. Often this is a spiral or condoms, since oral contraceptives are not suitable for all women during menopause for health reasons.

Uterine endometriosis cannot be cured

Many women whose uterus is affected by endometrioid growths refuse treatment, considering it to be ineffective and useless. They suffer from pain during menstruation, they have infertility, but this does not stimulate them to treatment. Meanwhile, today, even if the uterus is seriously affected, it is possible to choose an effective treatment that in many cases allows you to cope with the pathology, restoring reproductive abilities and relieving pain. But all treatment is selected only by a doctor, strictly individually, based on the specific situation. Sometimes these are only drugs, in some cases also surgical laparoscopic correction.

It is important that a woman regularly visits a doctor throughout her life, even if there are no complaints and manifestations, this is necessary for the timely detection of various pathologies of the uterus, appendages and external genitalia.