I was about seventeen years old when I overheard my two older sisters talking about fibroids. Apparently, one of my sisters had them, and they were discussing her possibly having them removed.
I remember asking my sister what were fibroids, and once she explained them to me, I was even more confused.
So, what are fibroids?
Fibroids are non-cancerous tumors that grow in, around, or outside a woman’s uterus. They are the most common type of growth found in a woman’s pelvis.
The Statistics: They are pretty common, occurring in more than 200,000 women per year. Studies show that about one in four or five women older than 35 years has them. What’s most alarming is that studies are showing a more prevalent occurrence in African-American women.
Many women who have fibroids aren’t even aware they have them. The growths can remain small and not cause any symptoms or problems, so often times they go undetected–and unreported–for years until they mature into large tumors. Even if they are detected or reported, if they’re small and/or not causing any problems, doctors will lots of times not recommend any action against them. Unfortunately, this can lead the woman down a path of continuing an inflammatory lifestyle that caused the fibroids in the first place, which can and frequently will cause the growths to grow bigger, thereby leading to more problems.
In cases like these, the fibroids can grow big enough to cause problems because of their size, number, and location. Then, these non-cancerous tumors have the potential to really cause problems in a woman’s life.
At least, they did mine.
I don’t mean to scare you. Let me explain.
My Background
In October 2016, I was diagnosed with multiple myomas. That means I was diagnosed with numerous uterine fibroids, the largest one being the size of a large grapefruit.
It was very troubling news.
Even though I was relieved it wasn’t anything cancerous, I was still devastated at my diagnosis. I mean, who wants to be told they have tumors in their uterus, even non-cancerous ones?
What did this mean for me? What about the prospect of having children?
Determined, I decided to educate myself on uterine fibroids and treatment options.
I found out exactly what uterine fibroids are, where they can grow, and the type of treatment options available.
Types of Uterine Fibroids
Uterine fibroids are growths that develop from the cells that make up the muscle of the uterus. Basically, they’re made up of the same cells of your uterus. They’re also called leiomyomas or myomas.
The size, shape, and location of fibroids vary greatly. It just depends on who you are, and your individual situation.
Some fibroids may grow inside the muscles that make up the uterus. These types of fibroids are called Intramural fibroids.
Some bulge their way into the uterine cavity–the part of the uterus where the baby grows. These types are called Submucosal fibroids.
There are ones that protrude to the outside of the uterus, kind of like a pimple right underneath the skin that hasn’t come to a head. These types are called Subserosal fibroids.
And then there are special kinds of fibroids, ones that hang from a stalk inside or outside the uterus. This stalk keeps them attached to the uterus. These are the Pedunculated fibroids.
The Cause of Fibroids
Fibroids are most common in women aged 30-40 years, but they can really occur at any age, depending on the person and their individual situation. As I mentioned before, fibroids occur more often in black women than in white women. They also seem to occur at a younger age in black women and grow more quickly.
Although the Western medical institutions state little is known about what causes fibroids, the real culprit has been identified in more recent studies.
The offender? Why it’s none other than ESTROGEN. That “hormone” that supposedly differentiates women from men.
In my battle with fibroids, I’ve learned a few things. I’ve learned that for years we’ve all been led to believe that the male hormone is testosterone and the women hormone is estrogen.
The actual fact is estrogen is NOT a natural hormone but in fact a known and documented carcinogen. What does that mean? That means what you probably think it means. Yes, estrogen is in fact cancerous. There have been numerous confirmations from scientific and medical research institutions, yet still, this information isn’t being told to the general public.
Well, now you know. And I bet you don’t know what to think right now, do you?
Need more information? Check out these sources:
It goes like this. There are three major types of estrogens that occur endogenously (a fancy word meaning it occurs internally) in women:
- Estrone (E1)
- Estradiol (E2)
- Estriol (E3)
These estrogens are steroidal, and they readily diffuse across the cell membrane. This means they eagerly enter into a cell. Once inside that cell, they bind to receptors and then activate those receptors inside that cell, which in turn began to mutate the genetic material of that cell. And that’s how everything begins to get all messed up for us women.
Fibroids, PCOS, acne, hair loss, belly or hip fat, thyroid problems or cancer, breast or uterine cancer, endometriosis or infertility, cellulite, PMS, or menopause? It could all be due to your estrogen dominance.
Symptoms
Most fibroids, even large ones, have no symptoms at all. When symptoms do occur, they often include:
- Changes in periods: Changes such as heavier bleeding; Longer or more frequent periods; Menstrual pain–oh, my God, the pain–or cramps; Vaginal bleeding or spotting at times other than menstruation; And anemia (from blood loss).
- Pain: Pain in the abdomen or lower back (oftentimes dull, heavy and aching, but at times it can be sharp); Pain during sex; Pelvic pain; And tenderness in your breasts
- Pressure: Pressure on the bladder resulting in frequent urination, or even having the opposite effect, resulting in difficulty urinating; Constipation, rectal pain, or difficult bowel movements.
- Enlarged uterus and abdomen
- Nausea and or Vomiting
- Miscarriages and Infertility
Personally, I’ve experienced all except the miscarriages.
Though these symptoms are common signs of fibroids, they could also be signs of other problems. That’s why it’s important to see your doctor if you have any of these symptoms. Remember: Take Care of Yourself.
Diagnosis
The first signs of fibroids may be detected during a routine pelvic exam. Your doctor may be able to tell you may have fibroids just by the look and feel of the irregular shape of your uterus, as was the case with me.
Doctors use a number of other tests to make the diagnosis, though.
- Ultrasound. Ultrasounds are probably the most popular and definitely less intrusive method of uterine fibroid detection. An ultrasound uses sound waves to create a picture of the uterus or of the pelvic organs. This was the way my uterine fibroids were detected. Nothing, nothing in my life felt quite as debilitating as lying there while having to look at my uterus and seeing not a baby in there, but tumors that were wreaking havoc on my life.
- Hysteroscopy. Hysteroscopy uses a thin, lighted tube to help the doctor see the inside of the uterus. It is inserted through the vagina and cervix (the opening of the uterus). This allows the doctor to see some fibroids inside the uterine cavity (or inside the uterus).
- Hysterosalpingography (HSG). This is a special X-ray test. It may detect abnormal changes in the size and shape of the uterus and the fallopian tubes.
- Laparoscopy. Laparoscopy uses a slender device (which is the laparoscope–a tube with a tiny camera) to help the doctor see inside the abdomen. It’s inserted through a small cut just below or through the navel. The doctor can then see the fibroids on the outside of the uterus with the laparoscope.
Sometimes fibroids can be detected when checking for some other medical problem or symptoms. Women have said their fibroids were discovered during imaging tests, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) scans. These tests may also be used to check on the growth of fibroids over time.
Treatment: Pros & Cons
The choice of treatment for fibroids depends on the individual woman’s wishes and her doctor’s medical advice about the size and location of the fibroids.
Myomectomy
A myomectomy is the surgical removal of fibroids while leaving the uterus in place. This surgical procedure is dependent upon the size and location of the fibroids. It can be performed hysteroscopically, laparoscopically, or through abdominal surgery. Because a woman keeps her uterus, she may still be able to have children. However, if a woman does become pregnant after a myomectomy, she may–and I stress may–need to have a cesarean delivery. And then sometimes, a myomectomy causes internal scarring that can lead to infertility.
Also, fibroids may develop again, even after the procedure.
Uterine Artery Embolization
Another way to treat fibroids is called uterine artery embolization (UAE). With this procedure, the blood vessels to the uterine artery that feeds the fibroid tumors are blocked by tiny plastic particles. This severs the blood supply to the fibroid, forcing the fibroids to die and then shrink. This procedure has become wildly popular. However, there are risks with the procedure that women need to be aware of.
Complications include infection from septicemia. This is the presence of pus-forming or other pathogenic organisms or their toxins in the blood or tissues, resulting in multiple organ failure. Infection from tissue death of fibroids, leading to endometritis. Endometritis–not to be confused with endometriosis–is an infection of the lining of the uterus. Plastic particles flowing or drifting into other tissues. And, but not limited to, loss of ovarian function, infertility, and loss of orgasm.
Hysterectomy
A hysterectomy is the removal of the uterus. The ovaries, cervix, fallopian tubes and other surrounding structures may or may not be removed. It just depends on the factors involving the hysterectomy. For this procedure, the uterus may be removed through an incision in the abdomen or through the vagina. The method used really depends on the size of the fibroids. This procedure leaves the woman no longer able to bear children (as does the removal of the ovaries and fallopian tubes). For some reason, doctors recommend this procedure frequently to women who are diagnosed with fibroids. In some cases, this option may be the best option for women. But the other options should definitely be considered before taking this step.
Holistic Healing
And now we come to my personal favorite of the treatments–the natural healing method. This method gets to the very root cause of uterine fibroids–estrogen dominance, and attacks and eliminate the problem at that source. Estrogen is created and stored in fat (or for fancy terms, white adipose tissue) cells. So, the elimination of fat will also increase or at the very least speed up the desired elimination of your fibroids. Also, Exogenous Estrogen (Exogenous means caused by an agent or organism outside the body; Air, for instance) is introduced into the body by the food you eat, and through the polluted atmosphere. This form is called Aromatase. It is an enzyme responsible for a key step in the biosynthesis (just a pretty word for creation) of estrogens. This enzyme must be eliminated from your diet in order to heal holistically from uterine fibroids.
It is this type of treatment that will mainly be discussed on my blog, as it is the type of treatment I am currently studying and undergoing.
If you’ve had fibroids in the past, think you may have fibroids, or you know you have fibroids, please see your doctor right away. I’m serious about this. Make sure to have regular checkups, and be alert to the warning signs. This will help you to be aware of changes in your body that may require treatment.
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