What are uterine fibroids? Uterine fibroids ( a.k.a. fibromyomas, leimyomas or myomas) are “garden variety” tumors made of smooth muscle cells that occur in the uterus during the ovulating years. Uterine fibroids are not malignant, not related to cancer, but are classified as a type of tumor. They often go unnoticed by many women and have been known to shrink after menopause. Fibroid tumors occur more often in the African-American community and are rarely seen in young women 20 years old or younger.
The types of uterine fibroid tumors include: submucous fibroids, which have a tendancy to develop in the uterine cavity; intramural fibroids on the uterine wall; and subserous fibroids which show up in areas other than the uterous. Some fibroids grow beyond one of the areas described above and must be classed in two or more catagories.
Doctors have yet to definitively determine what causes fibroids, though estrogen may be the key. The high levels of estrogen during childbearing years or pregnancy encourage fibroid growth. Menopause, when estrogen decreases, is a period when they may shrink.
Toxins can also have a profound impact on the growth of fibroids. Carbon chlorines, used in many pesticides; phthalates, widely used in the plastics industry to soften PVC; and dioxin can all mimic the effects of the hormone estrogen This can be frustrating for both post menopausal women and their medical staff as identification or removal of the offending chemical or chemicals is nearly impossible.
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.
Hysterectomies are a permanent fix to problematic fibroids. However, as with any surgical procedure there are risks to be considered. Once this step is taken it cannot be reversed. There can be danger in damaging nearby organs and structures during surgery or fibroid growth post-hysterectomy in the space left behind or on any pieces of uterus remaining. Your health is affected for the rest of your life as hormone therapy is needed to correct the lack from your uterus.
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.
While I could wish that no one had to deal with the trauma of uterine fibroids, it is a problem for many women. I hope that if you or a loved one are affected by this condition that this article has helped to answer you questions. If you would like more information you can watch in-depth videos and get free information on natural treatments for fibroids at my website: http://www.fibroidsetc.com/what-are-fibroids/