Fibroids – what are
they and why are they a problem?
Fibroids are very common; they are growths that form on the smooth
muscles in the pelvic region in women. These are non-cancerous and can vary in size.
Based on their location, there are different types of fibroids. If they are
growing out and away from the cavity of the uterus, they are given the name
subserosal, if they are growing in the muscle wall they are known as intramural
fibroids and if they grow into the cavity of the uterus, they are called
submucosal fibroids.
Symptoms
Symptoms that you may get when you have fibroids are problems with menstruation,
this could mean things like heavy bleeding or bleeding more that once a month
and/or your period lasting longer. Other symptoms are pain in your pelvic area,
more frequent urination or trouble emptying your bladder when you go,
constipation and back or leg pain.
The most common way to find out if you have fibroids is to have an ultrasound
done. Having both a trans-abdominal and a trans-vaginal ultrasound can increase
the accuracy. Sometimes they can be mistaken as cysts. When the fibroids are
only small and are no bigger than 3cm you may be told to keep an eye on the
symptoms and they will monitor them to see if they continue to grow.
What causes fibroids?
You may have a greater risk of them growing if you have your first
period before the age of 10, have not had children, if you have polycystic
ovary syndrome, have diabetes and/or are over the age of 40. Other factors that
can lead to fibroids are high blood pressure, excess body fat around the waist,
bad cholesterol or triglyceride levels and eating to many foods with
carbohydrates – breads, cakes, potatoes etc. Another cause of fibroids can be
stress because when you are stressed you don’t eat properly or take care of
yourself as well as you could. Often you forget to exercise or get enough sleep
and all this makes for poor health and lowered immune systems.
Treatment
To help shrink the fibroids and help relieve the pain you can try some
vitamins and herbs such as green tea, Vitamin D, Curcumin, and Black Cohosh. There
are other natural ways and these should be done under the care of your natural
therapist in unison with your doctor.
Acupuncture can help with pain. In some severe cases you may be told you
need to have a hysterectomy but if you can, and if your doctor agrees, try to
treat them naturally first.
There is also a surgical procedure that can remove the fibroids leaving
the uterus but the success of this procedure is restricted to how big they
already are. Other procedures that can be performed include a UAE, this is when
they try and cut the blood supply to the fibroids by inserting microscopic
inert particles, which are plastic. However there can be quite a few complications
related to this procedure including pain, cramping, vomiting, fatigue and
fever.
There is also magnetic resonance-guided ultrasound surgery, which
involves a high energy ultrasound wave being directed at the fibroid. This has
been known to reduce symptoms, however can be only temporary.
The
good news is that fibroids can shrink as you pass through menopause. All on
their own but it is a good idea to give them a bit of help to make sure by
contacting your natural therapist who will give you the right diet, supplements
and lifestyle changes you need to get you healthy and keep you that way.