Being diagnosed with uterine fibroids doesn’t have to be a big deal. In fact, some people don’t even realize they have fibroids until these growths are spotted during a medical examination. However, if you are experiencing discomfort in some way, then there are a few ways you can manage your symptoms. Here is a quick guide about uterine fibroids and how you can treat them.
What Are Uterine Fibroids?
Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous, abnormal growths that grow in or on the womb, or uterus. They are made from fibrous and muscle tissue and can develop in clusters. According to research, up to 80 percent of women develop uterine fibroids by the time they get to 50 years old and one in three women experience symptoms. There are various types of fibroids with intramural, subserosal and submucosal fibroids being the most common. Intramural fibroids develop on the muscular uterine wall, submucosal fibroids grow in the cavity while the subserosal type develop on the outside of the womb.
Symptoms
The symptoms of uterine fibroids can be extremely debilitating for some women. These can include painful periods, lower back pain, abdominal pain and pain during sex. Furthermore, some women also experience constipation and a frequent urge to urinate. Fibroids can also cause infertility and affect pregnancy in some cases.
Treating Fibroids
Medication can be taken to relieve symptoms and shrink fibroids. These are usually prescribed by a doctor, or by a specialist. If these prove to be ineffective, then nonsurgical therapy and minimally invasive procedures can help. Alternatively, aggressive surgery can be performed to get rid of fibroids. The American Fibroid Centers specialize in uterine fibroids treatment for women. With a team of experts, they offer sound advice and can help improve your quality of life without the need for invasive surgery.
Change in Diet
Although it is not entirely clear what causes uterine fibroids, studies show that obesity can increase your risk. A lack of nutrients and a bad diet are often seen as contributing factors. A Western-style diet generally consists of a lot of red meat, such as beef and lamb. Red meat could increase your risk of fibroids. A Mediterranean diet, on the other hand, consists of green vegetables, fruit, legumes and fish. Therefore, adopting a Mediterranean diet could lower your risk.
Hormones
If you have too much estrogen in your system, you could elevate your risk for fibroids or make your fibroids worse, if you already have them. You can lower estrogen levels by losing weight or by avoiding certain chemicals that throw off your hormone balance and raise your levels. Some items to avoid coming into contact with include certain fertilizers, BPA plastics and non-stick coating on cookware.
Increase Your Vitamin D
The sunshine vitamin naturally occurs when you expose your skin to the sun. It is said that vitamin D can help decrease your risk of developing uterine fibroids by almost 32 percent. Supplements for vitamin D include cod liver oil. However, you can find vitamin D in foods such as fortified cereals, dairy products, egg yolks and oily fish like mackerel, tuna and salmon.