Happy new year, everyone!! We are all here to move forward once again in 2014. 2014 is year of the horse. I hope 2014 will be the most energetic year for everyone. Anyway, I’m going to write about uterine myomatosis. Approximately 20% of women suffer from uterine myomas and they often visit Korean Medicine clinics for treatment. Learn how to talk to patients with uterine myomas. Here we go.

Dr.Lee: Welcome, Amanda. Nice to meet you.

Amanda: Nice meeting you, Dr.Lee. You look better than your photo.

Dr.Lee: Hahaha. Thanks for your compli ment. It’s very kind of you. By the way, what seems to be the problem, Amanda?

Amanda: About 2 months ago, just on accident, I just pressed on my lower abdomen and felt something lumpy inside. I was worried so I went to an OB-GYN.

Dr.Lee: And then?

Amanda: The doctor examined me and said that I appeared to have uterine myomas

Dr.Lee: Did the doctor perform an ultrasound?

Amanda: Yes. She said I had 3 lumps near the uterine cervix. One of them is 4.7cm big. The rest of them are smaller than that.

Dr.Lee: Did you have any symptoms before you found out about them?

Amanda: I think my menstrual pain was pretty bad and the amount of bleeding during periods had gradually been increasing.

Dr.Lee: Those are typical symptoms of uterine myomas. The symptoms also include feelings of pressure in the lower abdomen, longer than normal menstrual periods, bleeding not related to menstruation, difficulty or pain when urinating, infertility, recurrent miscarriages. Myomas can manifest themselves through these symptoms but approximately 25% of cases are asymptomatic.

Amanda: Are there any complications?

Dr.Lee: Uterine myomas may cause complications during pregnancy, such as an increase in risk of spontaneous miscarriage, retardation of fetal growth, premature labor due to insufficient space in the uterus, obstruction of the cervix, obstruction of labor, or post-labor hemorrhage

Amanda: Oh, lord. I’m planning a pre gnancy this year. Should I get surgery then?

Dr.Lee: It depends but I don’t think you have to. Usually myomas less than 7cm are best observed without performing surgery. Sometimes surgical intervention is not considered even when myomas are larger than 7cm. What really matters is not their size, but location and symptoms. However, the chance of pregnancy and success rates of IVF(in vitro fertilization) can decrease because they affect the uterine cavity and therefore diminish the probability of implantation. In your case, though, you can be treated here without surgery.

Amanda: Thank you doctor. How long do you think it will take to recover?

Dr.Lee: It depends but you need at least 3 months of treatment. Visit my clinic once or twice a week for acupuncture and moxibustion treatment. I’ll also prescribe an herbal concoction specialized for you.

Amanda: All right. Let’s do it!

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Published by Lee, Sang-il Edited by Anna Joy Toombs & Troy Flowers