If you’re a woman and you’re reading this, you probably already know a little bit about uterine fibroids. You already understand that they are abnormal, yet typically non-cancerous, growths in the uterus. The risk factors for getting them, as you may know, include a family history of fibroids, obesity, or early onset of puberty. Additionally, the symptoms may include heavy menstrual bleeding, prolonged periods, and pelvic pain. But just to add some mystery into the mix, some cases present no symptoms. With that said, let’s get a more medical definition of uterine fibroids from the experts at the Mayo Clinic.

Uterine Fibroids, Medically-Speaking

According to the Mayo Clinic…

Uterine fibroids are noncancerous growths of the uterus that often appear during childbearing years. Also called leiomyomas (lie-o-my-O-muhs) or myomas, uterine fibroids aren’t associated with an increased risk of uterine cancer and almost never develop into cancer.

Fibroids range in size from seedlings, undetectable by the human eye, to bulky masses that can distort and enlarge the uterus. You can have a single fibroid or multiple ones. In extreme cases, multiple fibroids can expand the uterus so much that it reaches the rib cage and can add weight.

Many women have uterine fibroids sometime during their lives. But you might not know you have uterine fibroids because they often cause no symptoms. Your doctor may discover fibroids incidentally during a pelvic exam or prenatal ultrasound. (https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/uterine-fibroids/symptoms-causes/syc-20354288#:~:text=Uterine%20fibroids%20are%20noncancerous%20growths,almost%20never%20develop%20into%20cancer.)

What To Do About Uterine Fibroids

If you have uterine fibroids, or feel you are at-risk, the best thing to do is to schedule an appointment to speak with our doctors. From there, they will give you the next steps on possible prevention or management of the fibroids. In some cases, they will discuss minimally invasive surgical options to help eliminate the uncomfortable side effects fibroids can bring.

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If you’re at risk for developing uterine fibroids, take comfort in the fact that you’re not the only one. About 40% of women will have or have had a uterine fibroid by age 60. If your mother, sister, or aunt has had them, your risk goes up even more. These benign tumors grow in the uterus and can cause bleeding, pain, and infertility if they are too big. However, there are ways to reduce your risk and decrease their impact if you do get them. Use this quick and easy guide to shed light on any uterine fibroid risk factors you may have.

Typical risk factors for uterine fibroids

There are several risk factors that can trigger the onset of uterine fibroids, and the following are the most common.

• Medical conditions: Women who have a condition that affects their hormones, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), have a higher chance of having fibroids. Research suggests that women with diabetes and hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid) may also be more likely to get fibroids. But in most cases, the link is unclear. Still, it’s important to let us know if you have any of these conditions, especially if you are in your 30s and want to start a family soon.
• Obesity: Women who are obese tend to have more uterine fibroids than women of a healthy weight. This could be because overweight or obese women may have higher levels of estrogen, which stimulates the growth of fibroids. Research suggests that losing just 5-10% of your body weight could reduce your risk
• Genetics: If your mother, sister, or aunt has had fibroids, your risk of developing them goes up. This could be because you inherited certain genes from them.
• Age: The older you are, the more likely you are to get fibroids. Most women start getting fibroids in their 30s and 40s, although they can start as young as during puberty or middle age.

If you can relate to one or more the risk factors above, get in touch with our doctors today to discuss uterine fibroids by using this contact form. You also may be able to reduce your risk by making healthy lifestyle choices such as eating a proper diet, getting regular exercise, and maintaining a healthy weight. Bookmark this website because we’re always adding new articles and insight for fibroids and other vascular conditions to keep readers in the know.

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If you’ve been diagnosed with uterine fibroids or are in the risk category for them, it can be scary to know that they can cause a lot of pain and discomfort. It can also be difficult to know what causes fibroids in the first place. Here are some things you need to know about this inconvenient condition and how you can keep an eye on it.

Okay, so what is a fibroid again?

A fibroid is a benign tumor that can grow on the uterus. It’s made up of the same tissue as the uterine lining, meaning it can grow quickly and be hard to remove. There are many different reasons for the fibroids and they can affect women of any age. However, they most often happen in women who are entering their childbearing years or past menopause.

Four common causes of uterine fibroids

There are many causes for fibroids, but these are the most common ones:

• Age: The older you get, the more your chances of developing fibroids increases. Fibroids are also more likely to develop in people who are overweight or have high blood pressure.
• Family History: If your mother or sister has had fibroids, then it’s more likely that you will too.
• Pregnancy: Pregnancy is one of the most common causes for fibroids because it places a lot of pressure on the pelvic region.
• Hereditary Conditions: If you have a hereditary condition like uterine cancer, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), or endometriosis, then it’s possible for you to develop fibroids.

It can be difficult to know what the main cause of these pesky fibroids is, but realizing the four main causes can help you narrow it down.

Know the warning signs of these conditions

There are different signs that you may have fibroids. Some are more serious than others, but nonetheless women often experience one or more of these symptoms:

• Painful menstrual cramps
• Heavy menstrual bleeding
• Backache
• Urinary frequency

If you have these symptoms frequently, it’s important to contact us immediately. Fibroid tumors can grow in size and can cause uterine prolapse, which is when the uterus falls out of place. You might not notice any symptoms at first, but after awhile you might feel pressure or find that your uterus is bigger than usual. It’s also important to note that fibroids can lead to infertility depending on the severity.

Fibroids are one of the most common female gynecological disorders, but that doesn’t make them any less of a concern.

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