With the way uterine fibroid is common now among women of reproductive age all over the world and most especially among black women, it is really important for everyone to be educated about what causes it, what the signs and symptoms are, what the side effects of having fibroid could be and the several options of the treatments available to take care of fibroids with their pros and cons.

It has been reported that 3/4 out of every 5 black woman has fibroid. This sounds scary to the extent that if you have not even been currently diagnosed of uterine fibroid, you may be getting scared or even be looking at the other woman beside you, at home or in your office, to be having fibroid.

The statistics is actually very real! We can confirm it as well as 7 out of every 10 women that have approached us for solution to fertility-related issues are having fibroid and this we have recorded for almost 5 years of operation now at Plan B Wellness.

However, before you start getting scared unnecessarily, some of these uterine fibroid cases are just there and may not affect anything. So, they remain unnoticed. While in some cases, fibroids may become so problematic that they cause miscarriages, sperm leakages, pains, excessive bleeding and even infertility in some women.

This is why it is important that you are aware of what fibroids are, how to know if you have them and what to do if you are diagnosed of them.

SO, WHAT ARE UTERINE FIBROIDS?

Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous tumours that grow from the muscle layers of the womb. These (benign) growths of smooth muscle can vary from the size of a bean to being as large as a melon. Fibroids are also known as leiomyomas and myomas.

Fibroids affect around 30% of all women by the age of 35years, and from 20 to 80% by the age of 50years. They usually develop between the ages of 16 to 50years. These are the reproductive years during which oestrogen levels are higher in women.

Types of Uterine Fibroids

Subserosal fibroids are located beneath the serosa (the lining membrane on the outside of the uterus). These often appear localized on the outside surface of the uterus or may be attached to the outside surface by a pedicle.
Submucosal (submucous) fibroids are located inside the uterine cavity beneath the inner lining of the uterus.
Intramural fibroids are located within the muscular wall of the uterus.
Pedunculated fibroids grow on a stalk of tissue known as a pedical (like a mushroom), extending either inside the cavity of the uterus or outside the uterus from its outer surface.



CAUSES OF UTERINE FIBROIDS

It remains unclear medically exactly what causes uterine fibroids. Researches have shown that they may be related to oestrogen levels.

During the reproductive years of a woman, oestrogen and progesterone levels are higher. When oestrogen levels are high, especially during pregnancy, fibroids tend to swell and grow bigger. They are also more likely to develop when a woman is taking birth control pills that contain oestrogen.

Low oestrogen levels can cause fibroids to shrink, such as during and after menopause.

Genetic and hereditary factors are also thought to impact the development of fibroids. Having a close relative with fibroids increases the chance of developing them. There is also evidence that red meat, alcohol, and...read more on https://planbwellness.com/uterine-fibroid/