Uterine Fibroids
Hi, tribe! July is uterine fibroid awareness month! With African-American women having a higher incidence of uterine fibroids (with as high as an 80% lifetime risk), I seek to provide education to help reduce our risk of developing them and offer my assistance in treating them! Below you will find information on what fibroids are, common symptoms, testing options, potential causes, and treatment + therapeutic considerations.
What are uterine fibroids?
Uterine fibroids, or uterine leiomyomata, are bundles of non-cancerous growths of smooth muscle and connective tissue in the uterus. Uterine fibroids are the most commonly diagnosed uterine tumors, occurring in approximately 70% of all women (Stewart et al., 2017).
Symptoms:
Excessive menstrual bleeding in 30% of women with fibroids
Pelvic pain
Pain with vaginal sexual activity
Abdominal enlargement + bloating
Vague feelings of discomfort
Pressure
Heaviness
Urinary frequency
Constipation
Backache
Potential Causes + Pathophysiology:
Excess estrogen (especially, estradiol or “E2”) are thought to play a role in the development and growth of fibroids. As well as, an increase in exposure of compounds called xenoestrogens. These compounds are known as endocrine or hormone disruptors, environmental estrogens, hormonally active agents, estrogenic substances, estrogenic xenobiotics, and bioactive chemicals. Some examples include BPA, food dye, perfumes, parabens, phthalates (used in plastics), pesticides, tobacco smoke by-products, and various solvents.
Genetics - mutations in the MED12 are linked to fibroid development. It is also quite likely that if your mom or sisters have fibroids, you are predisposed to developing them as well.
Comorbidities such as diabetes, hypertension, and metabolic syndrome are risk factors for fibroids.
Testing:
Pelvic exam (the doctor may feel irregularities in the shape of your uterus)
Ultrasound
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (can show in more detail the size and location of fibroids)
Treatment + Therapeutic Considerations:
Diet and lifestyle should always be addressed to get to the root causes that led to fibroid growth
Pain management
Hormonal therapies
Surgical therapies → myomectomy, endometrial ablation, and hysterectomy
To learn how to prevent fibroids and various treatment options to help avoid medications and surgery, book a consultation with Adorn Naturopathic Medicine today!
Stewart, E, Cookson, C, et al. (2017): Epidemiology of uterine fibroids: A systematic review. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology,124(10), 1501-1512. doi:10.1111/1471-0528.14640
