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.
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.
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.
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.
Even though you may not have any signs from uterine fibroids, they can sometimes be easily detected during routine exams like pap smears or on ultrasound. Once detected there are many treatment options which include drugs and different surgeries. Medication can be used to lower estrogen levels which also prevent pregnancy and can cause some side effects. For very large fibroids your doctor may prefer to take a surgical measure like a myomectomy to remove the fibroids or a uterine artery embolization which would block off the blood vessels feeding the fibroids. In very severe cases a full hysterectomy or removal of the uterus may be the recommendation.
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.
Thankfully, there are alternative therapies out there for women to consider when dealing with fibroids. It depends on the symptoms and the severity of the case, but herbal supplements can help in shrinking fibroids and decreasing their symptoms. Body cleansing is another option. This allows you to clear the body of all toxins which may cause the fibroids to grow.
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/