Many women have uterine fibroids and don’t know it. That’s because these non-cancerous tumors don’t always cause symptoms. If you aren’t aware you have them, it’s likely your physician will discover them during a routine pelvic exam. How exactly? During the exam, your doctor will press down and around your uterus. If uterus abnormalities are suspected, they may predict fibroids and order more tests.
Continue reading “10 Questions to ask your Doctor about Fibroid Treatment”
Just like the exact cause of fibroids, researches are not quite sure what causes them to grow. Yet most agree on likely causes. Fibroids, as we know, are usually benign tumors that grow in the muscular wall of the uterus. They can 
range in size. Some fibroids can be smaller than peas while others can be as large as a grapefruit. They occur in many women during reproductive age. Symptoms are heavy and prolonged menstrual periods, pelvic pressure, frequent urination, constipation and leg or back pain. Some women may not experience any symptoms. While other women may get them confused with premenstrual syndrome, (PMS.) Growth and location are the main factors that contribute to common fibroid symptoms. But, the growth of fibroids is not always problematic. They become troublesome when they become large, cause painful symptoms or affect fertility. Continue reading “Why your Fibroids are Growing”
If you’re a woman and you’re reading this, chances are you have fibroids or know someone who does. In fact, between 20 and 80 percent of women will get uterine fibroids before the age of 50. This will usually happen during a woman’s childbearing years. But, the good news is that fibroids are almost always non-cancerous and can be treated. There are four main types of uterine fibroids. Size and location of a fibroid determine what type of fibroid it is.
Do hair relaxers cause uterine fibroids? According to a study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, it’s possible. But first, let’s start with the facts. What do we know about fibroids and what do we know about hair relaxers? Fibroids are tumors that are almost always benign, meaning non-cancerous. They develop in most women before the age of 50. Symptoms include, heavy and long lasting periods, pelvic pain, frequent urination, constipation and back and leg pain. But, a concrete cause of uterine fibroids is still unknown. It’s even more unclear on why black women are more likely to get them. Yet, there are many plausible theories. In the last few years, hair relaxers and hair products targeted toward black women are under the microscope as a possible cause.
Continue reading “The Truth About Hair Relaxers and the Link to Uterine Fibroids”
Did you know that African American women are three times more likely to get fibroids than Caucasian women? Moreover, studies state that between 80-90 percent of black women will get fibroids by the age of 50. This is in comparison to the 20- 70 percent of white women who get them. But why? There is no concrete answer on why black women are pre-dispositioned to this condition. But, let’s examine possible reasons. What are fibroids? What are the symptoms and risks and how do socioeconomic status and genealogy play a role?
