Uterine and Ovarian Tumors: What Should the Treatment Goal Be?
“Can this disappear?”
This is the first question most people ask after being diagnosed with uterine fibroids or ovarian cysts. Some suffer from pain and bleeding, while others feel anxiety simply from the fact that a tumor exists. In tumor treatment, it is crucial to first define what the goal is.
Patients generally fall into two categories:
- Those with discomfort like pain or bleeding → The goal is restoring comfort in daily life.
- Those without symptoms but worried about size → The core question is “Can it get smaller?”
If pain and discomfort decrease, it is a signal that the body’s flow is improving. In that process, the size of the tumor may stabilize or shrink. Size is a result; what changes first is the state of the body.
Why Do Tumors Form?
In Korean medicine, tumors are not viewed as simple lumps. They are understood as the result of long-term stagnation due to poor circulation. Think of it this way:
- If water doesn't flow, mud accumulates. If that mud stays for a long time, it hardens.
- If the flow improves again, the hardened mud can gradually loosen or decrease.
Tumors are similar. However, tissue that has already hardened may not disappear immediately. Also, size may fluctuate temporarily during the process of improving circulation. What matters is whether the symptoms are improving. If pain decreases and the body feels more comfortable, it is a sign of moving in the right direction.
“Can It Get Smaller?”
This is the most frequent question. We don't flatly state “It will shrink.” Instead, we say: “It can get smaller.”
- Warming the lower abdomen
- Improving blood flow
- Restoring circulation and immunity
When these are achieved, size often stabilizes or decreases. Not every tumor disappears, but when the body improves, you can live comfortably without the tumor growing. Even if it doesn't vanish, improvement is improvement.
How Long Does Treatment Take?
Tumor treatment is not something that can be concluded in a short time. We usually view 3 months as one unit.
- 0–3 Months: Observing changes in pain, bleeding, fatigue, and abdominal pressure.
- 3–6 Months: Checking for size changes via ultrasound.
- Beyond: Managing recurrence prevention and immune stability.
If a tumor that was expected to grow stays the same or shrinks after 3 months, it’s a sign the body is stabilizing. It’s important not to rush and to maintain the flow.
Is Surgery Necessary?
The most heartbreaking moments in the clinic are meeting those who were told, “Why not just have a hysterectomy since you have no pregnancy plans?” The uterus is not just for pregnancy.
- Its presence ensures blood supply to that area.
- It plays a role in keeping the lower abdomen warm.
Some experience urinary discomfort, coldness in the lower abdomen, or chills in the back and knees after removal. This doesn't mean surgery is a bad choice, but it should be chosen after full understanding. Choosing not to have surgery is not just a refusal; it can be a choice to trust your body’s own recovery power.
Direction of Korean Medicine Treatment
The core of treatment is not removing the lump, but warming the lower abdomen and restoring circulation. When warmth returns:
- Blood flow improves
- Organ functions stabilize
- Immunity finds balance
As a result, pain decreases, discomfort disappears, and the tumor either stops growing or shrinks.
In Closing
In tumor treatment, the most important thing is direction, not fear. Instead of “Will it disappear?”, you should first check “Is my body getting better now?” When the body’s flow changes, results follow. Not all tumors vanish, but when the body improves, you can live comfortably and stably. That is the goal of treatment we should set together.
Where life blooms. For herbal medicine, trust Dalimchae.
This article was compiled by Dalimchae's medical team based on questions frequently received in the consultation room. Medical Review | Pregnancy & Postpartum Specialist, Dalimchae Songdo Branch, Dr. Kwon Ha-young