ETIOLOGY, LIFESTYLE FACTORS, AND MODERN MANAGEMENT STANDARDS FOR UTERINE FIBROIDS AND THEIR IMPACT ON PATIENTS' QUALITY OF LIFE: A REVIEW

Abstract

Background: This article is a literature review aimed at providing a comprehensive analysis of the current state of medical knowledge regarding uterine fibroids. The study discusses in detail the etiopathogenetic mechanisms of the condition and highlights the role of lifestyle factors. Methods: This paper is a narrative review of the current medical literature. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across electronic databases including PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase. Studies included in the analysis comprised randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, clinical guidelines, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses. Results: Based on the literature review, somatic mutations in the MED12 gene are present in 70–80% of uterine fibroid cases, acting as a primary driver of clonal proliferation. Central obesity, vitamin D3 deficiency, and high red meat consumption stimulate extracellular matrix accumulation. In terms of therapeutics, next-generation oral GnRH antagonists, effectively control heavy menstrual bleeding in 70–80% of patients. Minimally invasive treatments achieve a 40–60% reduction in fibroid volume. Conclusions: The main conclusion of the paper demonstrates that contemporary treatment of patients with uterine fibroids necessitates abandoning the purely surgical dogma in favor of individualized pharmacological and minimally invasive therapies. Clinical success is no longer evaluated exclusively by the reduction of tumor volume, but by a multidimensional enhancement of the patient’s quality of life and the mitigation of socio-economic costs.