 |
 |
 |
 Concern
 Treatment
Pregnancy
Experiences
Concern
|
 |
Uterus
Uterus
Uterine infections (endometritis) are uncommon
during the reproductive years because the uterus is protected from
ascending infection by the acid vaginal secretions and by the
cervical mucus. Childbirth or abortion, surgical procedures or
intra-uterine contraceptive insertion are all associated with an
increase in the risk of infection of the uterus.
Lack of progesterone in the second half of the menstrual cycle may
cause intermenstrual bleeding or menorrhagia (heavy menses). It
usually responds to cyclic administration of progesterone.
Benign tumours of the smooth muscle of the uterine wall, called
fibroids, occur in about 25% of women. They are usually multiple
and can vary in size from quite small up to 10 cm or more in
diameter, but are often asymptomatic. The most common symptom is
menorrhagia, which occurs when the endometrial surface area is
greatly increased by the presence of multiple large fibroids.
Fibroids also prevent the uterus from contracting adequately to
stop the menstrual bleeding. When the fibroids bulge into the
uterine cavity, they can increase the rate of abortion. Fibroids
that cause symptoms may be surgically removed.
Endometrial carcinoma is the third most common
gynaecological cancer. This cancer usually presents in women after
the age of 55. Bleeding is usually the earliest symptom and any
unexplained vaginal bleeding in a postmenopausal woman must
therefore be thoroughly investigated. Cancer of the uterus spreads
locally before it metastasises to distant organs. It is treated by
surgery and radiotherapy when spread is confined to the pelvis or
with chemotherapy if metastasis has occurred outside the
pelvis.
|
|
 |
|
|
Home
About Serono
