What are fibroids? Fibroids are a benign type of growth found in the uterus of women, most often African American women, usually during their childbearing years. It is very rare to see in a woman under twenty years of age, and if untreated they tend to get smaller after menopause. They can also be called leimyomas, myomas, or fibromyomas and are a type of tumor of the smooth muscle cells. Most women do not even notice these common growths.
Depending on where in the uterus the growth is located, it may be given different names. It is possible for fibroids to grow either inside or outside of the uterus. If the growth is in the uterine cavity it is referred to as a submucous fibroid. Any growths on the outer wall of the uterus are called subserous fibroids. Sometimes the growths can become so enlarged that they can be located both inside and outside the uterine cavity, in which case they may be classified into both groups.
The medical cause of fibroid development is not yet known, but levels of the hormone estrogen seem to be connected. When estrogen levels are high, such as during the ovulating years or pregnancy, fibroids increase in size. When the levels fall,such as during menopause, fibroids get smaller.
As with so many other syndromes with an indeterminate origin, it seems likely environmental toxins may be playing a key role. ItÂ’s well known that some toxins, once inside your body, can mimic estrogen. That would also influence fibroid growth, even for women have stopped menstruating. For a woman who has gone through menopause, increasing fibroid growth can be doubly frustrating.
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.
When looking to have fibroids diagnosed, a doctor can feel them during any routine pelvic exam. They may also be found during an ultrasound. The treatment for fibroids often includes estrogen therapy using drugs. Unfortunately some of these drugs, which can prevent pregnancy, also have undesirable side effects. In cases of very large fibroids, with severe symptoms, doctors will use more drastic treatments, such as myomectomies, to remove the fibroid, or artery embolization in the uterus to stop blood supply to the fibroids. In the most extreme cases a doctor may even recommend a hysterectomy.
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.
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/