Go green, it can shield you from getting fibroids

Do Women Need To Be Worried About Fibroids?

You may have been redirected here from my previous article where you were introduced to the dreaded Miss Fibroids. We don’t like her that much, do we? But hey, you wanted to know more on how to avoid her, and you’ve come to the right place!

Read on to know the severity of your fibroids, what exactly causes it, and if you need to be worried.
We’ve come to know that Fibroids are muscular tumours that grow in the wall of the uterus. More specifically, doctors put them into three groups based on where they grow:
1. Submucosal fibroids grow into the uterine cavity
2. Intramural fibroids grow within the wall of the uterus and
3. Subserosal fibroids, which grow on the outside of the uterus

We’ve also learnt about how they are mostly benign, but severe symptoms can be a matter of concern. In any case you experience:
• Heavy bleeding (which can be heavy enough to cause anemia) or painful periods
• Feeling of fullness in the pelvic area (lower stomach area)
• Enlargement of the lower abdomen
• Frequent urination
• Pain during sexual intercourse
• Lower back pain
• Complications during pregnancy and labor
• Reproductive problems, such as infertility (which is very rare)

You must report it to a doctor immediately and take precautions. To find trusted doctors your way, LogIntoHealth.com’s got your back! Have a small consultation or a full-fledged check-up, you know where to go.
“Oh no! I frequently urinate all the time! Does that mean I’ve got fibroids?”

It is incorrect to hastily generalise and assign oneself fibroids because one has a few of the above symptoms. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get checked up just to be sure. It’s always better to be safe than sorry. In this case, frequent urination could be on account of water intake (which varies from person to person) and may not be due to fibroids. To narrow down who is at most risk for fibroid tumours, several factors come into play.

Age: All the teens reading this have no reason to worry as you all are in your growth stage, and all systems of your body are still developing. Fibroids become more common as women age, especially during the 30s and 40s through menopause. After menopause, fibroids usually shrink. But it is advised for all women approaching menopause to have themselves checked by a trusted doctor.

Gender: If a man gets menopause, is it called a “womenopause?” Just kidding! Uterine fibroids develop in the female gender. I know, nature can be sexist too.
Family history: Having a family member with fibroids increases your risk. If a woman's mother had fibroids, her risk of having them is about three times higher than average. You may call it “Her-editary”

Ethnic origin: African-American women are more likely to develop fibroids than white women. The reason for this co-relation is still unknown and experts are still trying to find out the exact causation of fibroids. Racist, much?

Eating habits: Eating a lot of red meat and ham is linked with a higher risk of fibroids. Eating plenty of green vegetables seems to protect women from developing fibroids. Now, vegan doesn’t sound like a bad option, does it?

“This really helps. But say I want to talk to my doctor about my fibroids. What should I say?”

I understand topics like these aren’t everyday conversation, and might be pulling you back from a consultation. But don’t worry! I’ve got you covered. Following are some questions to get you started talking and might help you know more about what actually is going on inside.
• How many fibroids do I have?
• What size is my fibroid(s)?
• Where is my fibroid(s) located?
• Can I expect the fibroid(s) to grow larger?
• How rapidly have they grown (if they were known about already)?
• How will I know if the fibroid(s) is growing larger?
• What problems can the fibroid(s) cause?
• What tests or imaging studies are best for keeping track of the growth of my fibroids?
• What are my treatment options if my fibroid(s) becomes a problem?
• Can new techniques like MRGFUS which is a non-surgical alternative be considered by everyone or are there limitations of this technique?
• What are your views on treating fibroids with a hysterectomy versus other types of treatments?

To know more about your specific condition, please visit an Gynecologist in a trusted hospital close to you.