The difference between uterine fibroids and uterine hypertrophy

The clinical manifestations of uterine fibroids and uterine hypertrophy are similar. For example, when uterine fibroids are single intramural or submucosal, the uterine body also shows uniform enlargement, which is difficult to distinguish from uterine hypertrophy. However, uterine fibroids and uterine hypertrophy are two different diseases after all, each with its own corresponding manifestation characteristics. The main differences are as follows:

1. Population affected

Uterine fibroids are the most common benign tumors of the female reproductive system, common in women aged 30 to 50, and relatively rare in those under 20 years old.

Uterine hypertrophy is common in multiparous women. Those with long-term illness and heavy bleeding may present with anemia.

2. Clinical manifestations

Uterine fibroids: Most patients are asymptomatic, while a few may present with vaginal bleeding, abdominal masses, and compression symptoms. The sizes of fibroids vary greatly, with large ones weighing tens of kilograms and small ones even with dozens or hundreds of fibroids growing at the same time.

Uterine hypertrophy: The typical clinical manifestation is increased vaginal discharge. In mild cases, there may be no systemic symptoms. When the inflammation spreads to the pelvic cavity along the uterosacral ligament, there may be lumbar pain, lower abdominal distension and dysmenorrhea, which are aggravated during defecation and sexual intercourse. Compared with uterine fibroids, the uterus is uniformly enlarged in uterine hypertrophy, and rarely exceeds a 2-month pregnancy.

If it is still difficult to distinguish the two based on the above content, auxiliary examination methods such as B-ultrasound can be used to assist in diagnosis.