Women's Health Corner: A Guide to Uterine Fibroids

WHAT ARE FIBROIDS?

Uterine fibroids are benign muscular growths that form along the wall of the uterus. Sometimes there is just one and sometimes there are several ranging anywhere in size from sunflower seed to a grapefruit. They are remarkably common with uterine fibroids affecting roughly 70% of white women and over 80% of African American women by age 50. Not everyone with fibroids has symptoms, but for those who do, heavy or painful periods and pelvic pressure are often the most disruptive symptoms.

WHO IS MOST LIKELY TO DEVELOP FIBROIDS?

Age - most common between ages 30-40, becoming even more prevalent leading into 50, and typically shrinking after menopause as hormone levels drop.

Family History - genetics plays a role

Ethnicity - African American women face notably higher rates and often earlier onset than other groups

Body Weight - obesity is a well established risk factor, linked to higher circulating estrogen.

Vitamin D Status - low Vitamin D levels are increasingly being recognized as a meaningful risk factor.

Diet - there is emerging research that continues to explore how nutrition, including red meat intake, may influence fibroid risk.

COMMON SYMPTOMS

*Heavy or prolonged bleeding

*Painful periods

*A feeling of fullness or pressure in the pelvis

*Abdominal enlargement

*Frequent urination

*Pain during sex

*Low back pain

WHAT'S BELIEVED TO DRIVE FIBROID GROWTH

While the exact cause is not fully understood, hormonal factors, particularly excess estrogen, along with genetics and environmental influences are considered to be key components.

SUPPORTIVE TIPS *Address heavy bleeding early - iron supplementation or Floradix liquid iron with herbs can help to prevent anemia in those with significant blood loss

*Optimize vitamin D - sufficient vitamin D levels have been associated with a reduced risk of fibroid development, and in some studies, even a reduction in fibroid size over time.

*Explore herbal and nutritional support - some botanicals can be used to help manage fibroid related pain and support hormonal balance

*Support healthy blood pressure and metabolic health - obesity, high cholesterol and metabolic syndrome all appear connected to fibroid risk, suggesting a broader cardio-metabolic link worth addressing.

*Know your options - for larger or more symptomatic fibroids, surgical removal remains a standard treatment path and is worth discussing all the available options with your provider.

If you are noticing symptoms that feel disruptive to daily life, it is always worth bringing it up to your medical provider. While fibroids themselves may be common, you do not have to live with the symptoms and pain is not normal.