Fibroids Symptoms Revealed

Fibroids are growths most commonly found in a woman's reproductive system.A high proportion of women with fibroids will not experience any symptoms,while others have symptoms ranging from heavy bleeding and pain to incontinence or infertility. 

 Women who suffer from fibroids may have more than one the average number is between four and seven depending on how old you are.

Fibroids are named in relation to where they are found in your womb.

Intramural fibroids grow within the muscular wall of the womb.

Subserous fibroids grow from the outside wall of the womb into the pelvic cavity. They can become very large.

Submucous fibroids grow from the inner wall of the womb into the space inside the womb.

Pedunculated fibroids grow from the outside of your womb. These fibroids are almost free of the wall of your womb and are only attached by a narrow stalk.

Fibroid grow very slowly and can be stimulated by hormones, especially oestrogen. Fibroids tend to become smaller and reduce in number when oestrogen levels fall,especially after the menopause.

Fibroids are a type of tumour that grow in the uterus.These types of tumour are benign meaning they are not cancerous, and are made of muscle fibre. Fibroids can be as small as a pea and can grow as large as a melon. It is estimated that 20-50% of women have, or will have, fibroids at some time in their lives. They are rare in women under the age of 20, most common in women in their 30s and 40s, and tend to shrink after the menopause.
 

Although the exact cause of fibroids is unknown, they seem to be influenced by oestrogen. This would explain why they appear during a woman's middle years and stop growing after the menopause.

According to American studies,fibroids occur up to nine times more often in black women than in white women, and tend to appear earlier *. The reason for this is unclear. Also women who are over weight may be more likely to have fibroids. This is thought to be due to higher levels of oestrogen in heavier women.

In the past, the contraceptive pill was thought to increase the risk of fibroids, but that was when the pill contained higher levels of oestrogen than it does today. Some studies suggest that the newer combined pill (oestrogen and progestogen) and the mini pill (progestogen only) may actually help prevent or slow the growth of fibroids.

Fibroids — prevention

As the cause of fibroids is still unknown, there are no clear guidelines for preventing them. However, there are some things you could do that may help reduce your risk:

Keep your weight in check. This will minimise oestrogen levels in your body.

Eat green vegetables and fruit, and avoid red meat. An Italian study found that women who eat little meat but a lot of green vegetables and fruit seem to be less likely to develop fibroids than women who eat a lot of red meat and few vegetables.

Some studies suggest the combined pill may protect against fibroids by keeping hormone levels from peaking and falling. The pill comes with its own set of side effects, however, so talk to your doctor about whether it’s right for you.

More than one in three women have fibroids, but most of these women don't ever get any symptoms.

Fibroids are enclosed in fibrous capsules attached to the wall of your womb and don't spread to other parts of your body.

You can have one fibroid or many - the average number is between four and seven depending on your age.