Uterine (uterine) fibroids, or leiomyomas, are non-cancerous tumors that form inside a woman's uterus. They can range in size from very small (the size of a seed) to very large (the largest fibroid ever reported was the size of a watermelon, although this is very unusual). Fibroids develop in 30% of women under 35 years of age, and in 70-80% of women, although many women do not experience any symptoms or problems with their fibroids. The exact cause of fibroids is unknown, although the female hormones estrogen and progesterone appear to play a role in their development. Fibroids are the number one cause of hysterectomy in the United States. Ways to prevent the formation of fibroids are also still not widely known. However, experts have been able to identify certain risk factors and therapies that can help to understand uterine fibroids. In addition, many ongoing studies have found important indicators of what can help prevent fibroids.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Protecting Yourself Against Fibroids
Step 1. Exercise regularly
Uterine fibroids are hormone-mediated, very similar to tumors caused by breast cancer (although fibroids "don't" cause cancer). Studies show that fibroids are less likely to develop in women who exercise regularly.
- Studies also suggest that the more physically active you are, the more exercise you will help to prevent fibroids. Women who exercised 7 hours or more per week were significantly less likely to develop fibroids over a period of several years than women who exercised two hours or less per week.
- Research suggests that vigorous exercise is much more likely to help reduce risk than light or moderate exercise. Strenuous exercise for 3 hours or more per week may reduce the risk of developing fibroids by 30-40%. (However, even light exercise is better than no exercise at all!)
Step 2. Take care of your body weight
Research shows that fibroids are more likely to develop in women who are overweight or obese (that is, those with a Body Mass Index (BMI) above the “normal” range). This may be due to higher levels of estrogen in obese women.
- Being overweight increases the risk of developing fibroids by about 10-20%.
- Women who are very obese are two to three times more likely to develop fibroids than women who are in the normal BMI range.
- You can calculate your BMI on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website here. Or use the following formula: weight (kg) / [height (m)]2 x 703.
Step 3. Drink green tea or green tea extract
Some research suggests that green tea might help prevent fibroids from developing in mice. Although it hasn't been confirmed in humans, green tea has a variety of health benefits, so there's nothing to lose.
- Green tea has been shown to reduce the severity of fibroid symptoms for women who have had fibroids.
- If you are sensitive to caffeine, avoid excessive consumption of green tea. Green tea contains higher levels of caffeine than other teas and can cause nausea, anxiety, or irritability in some people.
Step 4. Consider changing your diet
Several studies suggest that consumption of red meat is associated with an increased risk of developing fibroids. Eating green vegetables is associated with a reduced risk.
- There is currently no evidence to suggest that dietary changes will "prevent" fibroids. However, reducing consumption of red meat and eating green vegetables has real health benefits. Consumption of red meat is associated with a large number of health problems, such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, and premature death. Green vegetables are a good source of vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants.
- Eat foods rich in vitamin D, such as fatty fish (salmon, tuna, mackerel). Vitamin D can reduce the risk of developing fibroids by more than 30%. Vitamin D can also reduce the size of fibroids that have already formed.
- Some studies suggest an increase in consumption of livestock products - milk, cheese, ice cream, etc. - may reduce the risk of developing fibroids in African-American women.
Step 5. Identify “fake” remedies
There are websites and alternative health sources that imply the availability of drugs that can prevent or "remove" fibroids. Common medications include enzymes, dietary changes, hormone creams, and homeopathy. There is no scientific evidence to support these treatments.
Step 6. Understand that pregnancy and childbirth may have a protective effect against the development of uterine fibroids
Although researchers aren't entirely sure why this is, women who have been pregnant have a lower risk of developing fibroids.
- Pregnancy may also reduce the size of the fibroids that have formed in certain cases. However, there are fibroids that may become larger during pregnancy. Because understanding of fibroids is still very poor, there is no way to know whether or not fibroids will grow during pregnancy.
- There are studies implying that the protective effect of pregnancy is strongest during and immediately after pregnancy compared to women whose pregnancies have been longer past.
Method 2 of 2: Understanding Fibroids
Step 1. Know the risk factors for developing uterine fibroids
Fibroids are very common, especially in women who have reached the age of being able to conceive. Women who have never had children may be at higher risk of developing fibroids.
- The risk of developing fibroids increases with age. Women between the ages of 30 and menopause are the most commonly affected.
- If you have a family member, such as a sister, mother, or cousin, with uterine fibroids, your risk of developing fibroids increases.
- Women of African descent appear to be more likely to develop fibroids, especially as they age. Some studies suggest that African American women are two to three times more likely to develop fibroids than white women. Eighty percent of African American women develop fibroids by age 50, compared to 70% of white women. (Although, again, keep in mind that the largest percentage of women with fibroids do not experience any symptoms or problems associated with the presence of fibroids.)
- Women with a BMI (Body Mass Index) above the “normal” range are more likely to develop fibroids.
- Women who start menstruating at an early age (that is, before the age of 14) have a higher risk of developing fibroids.
Step 2. Recognize the symptoms of uterine fibroids
Many women who get fibroids don't know they have them. In many women, fibroids do not cause significant health problems. However, if you experience any of the following symptoms, see a doctor:
- Heavy and/or prolonged menstrual bleeding
- Significant changes in menstrual pattern (e.g. sharp increase in pain, much heavier bleeding)
- Pelvic pain, or a “heavy” or “full” feeling in the pelvic area
- Pain during sexual intercourse
- Frequent and/or difficult urination
- Constipation
- Pain in the back
- Infertility or repeated miscarriages
Step 3. Discuss treatment options with your doctor
If you do have fibroids, discuss treatment options with your doctor. In many cases, therapy is not necessary. However, in certain cases, medication or surgical procedures may be required. The treatment your doctor recommends will vary depending on several factors, such as whether you hope to become pregnant in the future, your age, and the severity of the fibroids.
- Drug therapy, such as hormonal birth control, may reduce heavy bleeding and pain. However, such therapy may not prevent the development of new fibroids or the growth of fibroids.
- Gonadotropin releasing hormone agonists (GnRHa) may be prescribed to reduce fibroid size. Fibroids grow back rapidly if this treatment is discontinued, so they are mainly used in the preoperative stage to shrink fibroids in preparation for hysterectomy. This medication may have side effects, such as depression, decreased sex drive, insomnia, and joint pain, but many women tolerate this medication well.
- Myomectomy (surgical removal of fibroids) allows you to remain pregnant after the procedure. The risk depends on how serious the fibroids are. You may also be able to get pregnant after having MRI-guided ultrasound (MRI-guided) surgery, although this procedure is not widely available.
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Other treatments for more serious fibroids may include endometrial ablation (surgical removal of the uterine lining), uterine fibroid embolization (injection of plastic or gel particles into the blood vessels surrounding the fibroids), or hysterectomy (removal of the uterus). Hysterectomy is considered a last resort if other therapies and procedures are unsuccessful. Women cannot have children after undergoing some of these procedures.
Women who become pregnant after undergoing embolization may experience complications in their pregnancy, so this method is not recommended for women who wish to become pregnant in the future
Tips
- The size of fibroids tends to decrease after menopause.
- Fibroids do not increase the risk of cancer.
- Eating well and exercising "may" reduce the chances of developing fibroids. Even if they don't, they will still have a positive effect on your overall health.
Warning
- Rapidly growing fibroids can actually be a sign of a rare uterine cancer (leiomyosarcoma) and should be seen by a doctor.
- Fibroids may not be preventable. By following the recommendations for preventing fibroids, you may be able to reduce your chances of getting them, but that's not a guarantee that fibroids won't develop.
- If they cause problems, fibroids can be surgically removed, but fibroids tend to grow back. The only way to make sure the fibroids don't grow back is to have a hysterectomy. Hysterectomy also has its own complications and long-term effects. This procedure needs to be thoroughly discussed with the doctor.
