Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous tumors prevalent during the childbearing years. Over 80% of women are affected by abnormal growths in the uterus at some point in their lifetime. Buckhead fibroids form in and around the uterine walls and can be as small as a seed and, in other cases, as large as a grapefruit.
Also known as myomas and leiomyomas, the non-cancerous growths are not life-threatening. Nonetheless, at times, they can cause complications and significant health problems. You can experience complications and symptoms, including:
- Heavy menstrual bleeding
- Anemia
- Lower chances of getting pregnant
- Increased miscarriage risks
- Pain
- Constipation
Uterine fibroids’ risk factors beyond your control include:
- Puberty onset: If you get your periods at a younger age, you are at a higher risk
- Family history: You are at higher risk if your mother or sister has had fibroids
- Race: Black women are at higher risk
- Age: You can’t stop aging, and once you hit the childbearing years, your risk increases
You still have a lot within your reach that can help lower fibroids’ risks. Among the hacks to include in your health regimen to help keep the tumors at bay includes:
1. Dietary measures
Proper nutrition is at the heart of healthy living. When considering uterine fibroids, the nutritional factors increasing the risks include taking more red meat like lamb, beef, or ham and vitamin D deficiency. Including a Mediterranean diet in your nutrition regimen can help lower the risks. This means taking plenty of fresh green vegetables, legumes, fruits, and seafood. Such items are rich in nutrients, including Vitamin D, and unlike animal-based food, they are anti-inflammatory.
2. Alcohol consumption
Alcohol raises your uterine fibroid risks by increasing the hormones the abnormal tumors need to grow. Moreover, alcohol can increase inflammation risks and affect your immune system. Besides increasing the risks, alcohol consumption can increase symptoms’ severity and duration if you already have fibroids. Even a few beers can increase your fibroid risks or symptoms flare-up. It helps if you cut back if you must take alcohol.
3. Keep estrogen in check
Healthy fertility and estrogen go hand in hand. Nonetheless, too much estrogen increases uterine fibroid risks. Common fibroid treatment approaches work by lowering estrogen levels. You can keep estrogen levels in check by:
- Managing your weight: Obesity/excess weight increases estrogen levels since the fat cells make more. So shedding a few pounds can prevent or slow fibroids growth since you will keep estrogen at good levels.
- Exposure: Some natural and synthetic chemicals can affect your endocrine balance, leading to an increased estrogen level. Avoiding exposure to such hormone-disrupting chemicals either through your diet or skin helps regulate estrogen. Check your care products, and carefully handle elements like pesticides, fertilizers, dyes, paints, and plastics like BPA, to mention a few sources.
Managing other health concerns like controlling blood pressure also helps lower uterine fibroid risks. If you have fibroids, the same measures can help manage the symptoms. With your doctor’s help, you can make lifestyle and dietary measures to slow or prevent fibroid growth. At times, you might not even need further treatment. Talk to Ideal Gynecology, LLC today to learn more about fibroids, the risks, treatment options, and management tips.
