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.
Uterine fibroids are classified by the part of the uterus they appear in. If they grow on in the uterine cavity, they are known as submucous fibroids. Intramural fibroids appear on the uterine wall. Any outside the uterus are called subserous. Its possible, however, for a fibroids to grow so large it falls into several categories.
The scientific causes of fibroids are not known, but it seems that the levels of estrogen hormone do cause a reaction. When estrogen levels are high, such as during the years of childbearing age, fibroids tend to grow larger. When estrogen levels decrease, the fibroids shrink.
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.
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.
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.
While surgery can be a scary thought, it isn’t the only option. There are now more natural solutions to fibroids. FibroidClear is an herbal supplement. If taken regularly it can help reduce the size of fibroids and decrease swelling in the uterine cavity by helping regulate hormone levels. You can also use body cleansing techniques to flush the toxins from your body that aid in fibroid growth. These cleansing techniques are also useful to speed up the affects of the herbal supplements so are often done together.
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/