Is there a way to prevent or reduce the growth of fibroids?
Friday, September 18th, 2009 at
3:03 pm
I understand that fibroids are common and once developed, it really doesn’t go away. But is there a way to prevent getting any more of them or having them grow larger? Is there a certain diet or lifestyle that can be contributed to them?
I thought I read somewhere that although it is not a certain cause, fibroids seem to occur often in women who experience weight gain.
Filed under: Fibroids Causes
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Fibroids develop from abnormal cell growth in the uterus (womb). The exact cause of these benign tumors is not known. However, both genetic and environmental conditions have been identified as contributing risk factors for fibroids. A number of factors may increase a woman’s likelihood of developing uterine fibroids. These include:
Age. Although they can occur at any age after puberty, fibroids most frequently appear in women aged 30 to 40 years old. In addition, early age at menarche, especially before age 10, is considered a risk factor for the condition later in life.
Genetics and heredity. Research indicates that many fibroids contain alterations in genes that code for uterine muscle cells. Women who have a mother or sister with fibroids appear to be at increased risk of developing them.
Ethnicity. Fibroids tend to appear more frequently among black women than Caucasians. Also, black women tend to develop fibroids at younger ages, and also typically experience numerous and/or larger fibroids.
Hormonal changes. Research indicates that the hormones estrogen and progesterone appear to influence the growth of uterine fibroids. When a woman with uterine fibroids experiences hormonal changes during pregnancy, the fibroids typically enlarge. However, after childbirth the fibroids tend to shrink back to the original size. In addition, when women stop menstruating (menopause), uterine fibroids usually shrink or disappear altogether. Other studies indicate that hormones that help the body maintain tissues, such as the insulin-like growth factor, may also affect fibroid growth.
High-fat diet and alcohol consumption. Significant consumption of red meats (e.g., beef, ham) and alcoholic beverages, especially beer, is associated with an increased risk of developing fibroids in the uterus.
Obesity. Having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater appears to increase a woman’s risk of developing these benign tumors of the uterus.
There’s really a lot of great information on fibroids – their prevention, treatment, signs and symptoms at the women’s site below. Take a look – I’m sure you’ll find it helpful!
http://obgyn.health.ivillage.com/uterineovarianhealth/uterinefibroids.cfm
Caffiene intake can cause them…AND it can make them swell.
Get a sex change because being a woman sucks big time for you it does.
If your ancestors have fibroids, then you have great chance of having them ( My mother, Aunts have fibroids may be that’s why I have them too). They grow because of Estrogen Hormone too.
My doctor said they have nothing to do with food habit. But my homeopathic doctor advised me to eat less meat and artificial food and to eat lot of organic fruits and vegetables.. It helped me to stop growing of the fibroids. I don’t know its coincident or not.
Finally I didn’t have any weight problem when I found fibroids inside my uterus.