Fibroid Facts: And Tips On How to Avoid Them

Uterine fibroids (leiomyomas) are benign (non cancerous) muscle knots of the wall of the uterus
They are the most common cause of hysterectomy in the country
2/100 women have fibroids of the uterus by age 25, and at least 1-3/10 by age 45
Women with relatives who have fibroids have double the risks of having them
The heavier you are the greater likelihood that you will have fibroids
Oral contraceptive pills do not cause fibroid growth and those who have used oral contraceptives consistently have a third less chance of ever having fibroids
Oral contraceptive pills can manage pain and bleeding from fibroids, as can a progesterone IUD
High consumption of red meat increases the risks that you are going to have fibroids, green vegetables will decrease the risk of ever having uterine fibroids
If you are a big exerciser then you are less likely to have fibroids: studies set the cut off at 7 hours per week for "heavy exercise"
Neither birth control pills nor menopausal hormones will increase fibroids in the most recent studies
This is what is called a pedunculated fibroid.
Fibroids can occur in the uterine lining, the wall of the uterus or hanging off the surface. In this picture the fibroid is attached to the side of the uterus.
Fibroids can grow in pregnancy, but they shrink in menopause

National Uterine Fibroids Foundation:
http://www.nuff.org/health_uterinefibroids.htm
U.S. National Library of Medicine:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001912
Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health:
http://www.womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/uterine-fibroids.html
Mayo Clinic:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/uterine-fibroids/DS00078
MedlinePlus:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/uterinefibroids.html

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