Ever wondered what a fibroid is? They also go by the names of fibromyomas, leimyomas, or myomas, and they are smooth little muscle cell growths which are found inside the uterus of women of childbearing age. These growths are not dangerous or cancerous, but they are considered to be tumors. They are very commonly found, but often go unnoticed by most women, and they frequently shrink or disappear when a woman hits menopause. Uterine fibroids are more often found in black women, and are rarely found in women younger than 20 years of age.
There is more than one kind of uterine fibroid, and they are distinguished by their location. There is the submucous fibroid, which grows inside the uterine cavity. There is the intramural fibroid, which develops on the wall of the uterus, and there is the subserous fibroid which is found outside of the uterus. It is also possible for a fibroid to grow so large that it can fall into more than one category.
It would seem that fibroids growth is related to levels of the hormone estrogen. As fibroids are larger during pregnancy and in young adults when the estrogen levels would be quite high and tend to shrink down after menopause when estrogen levels drop considerably. While it is good to have a starting point to think about the development of fibroids, the complete cause of fibroids is not known at this time.
One alternative theory relates the causes of fibroids includes to environmental toxins. Some toxins can cause reactions in the body similar to the effects of estrogen, and this may cause fibroids to grow rapidly. This can occur even in post-menopausal women.
Even though fibroids are not malignant, they can still cause unwanted symptoms. Pain and bleeding, is common, with the bleeding sometimes as heavy as during a period. Fibroids that grow beyond the uterus can affect the function of nearby organs like the bladder and intestines. Miscarriages and infertility are what women most fear. A large enough fibroid compresses the uterus making conception impossible, or cause uterine spasms that could force a woman to miscarry an existing fetus.
Doctors look for fibroids during a routine pelvic exam, though they may also want to check with an ultrasound. Once they have found them, the typical treatment is a prescription drug that can lower estrogen levels. These prescriptions can prevent a pregnancy in addition to other negative side effects. If the fibroid is too large to treat that way, causing severe bleeding and pain, a doctor may recommend a myomectomy or embolization. A myomectomy simply means they go in and remove it surgically. In a uterine artery embolization, they cut off the blood supply to the fibroid. The worst case scenario, obviously, is a full hysterectomy, but in rare cases it is necessary.
A hysterectomy is the removal of the uterus in surgery, and should be a lasting cure for fibroids. A hysterectomy is also a drastic choice, and a major procedure which can have long term effects. Choosing surgery is always a big step, and in many cases involves a lot of risk. It is not a choice to be made without great need, and thought put into the decision.
If you are hoping to avoid a series of escalating medical interventions, and who wouldn’t?, there are some alternative therapies available. Herbal supplements like FibroidClear are formulated to reduce inflammation, and they may shrink fibroids by more naturally regulating hormone levels. Body cleansing can also rid your body of fibroid-friendly toxins, and it can be used with other fibroid remedies.
If you or a loved one has fibroids and you would like more information about this condition, you can watch some more in-depth videos on my website, and sign up for a free report on how to shrink fibroids naturally. http://www.fibroidsetc.com/what-are-fibroids/