Many people have never heard of uterine fibroids. Some women may wonder if they are suffering from this condition without being fully aware of what it entails. Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous tumors that grow inside of the uterus. They may be referred to as myoma or fibromyoma. Uterine fibroids are the highest occurring tumor in the reproductive system of women. The size of fibroids or tumors varies greatly. For some women, they are no larger than the size of a nut. Other women experience very large fibroids that can be larger than the size of a cantaloupe. When the size of a tumor is measured by a medical professional, it is compared to the expansion of a uterus while pregnant.
Because of the way the tumor grows, it can make it appear as if a woman is pregnant or has gained weight. This may cause women to be concerned about uterine fibroids and weight gain. The actual tumor itself can cause you to have added weight, because you are weighing the fibroid as well as yourself. Having uterine fibroids won’t necessarily cause you to gain fat, but some women may feel more tired and less likely to exercise. In some instances, women may have PCOS in addition to uterine fibroids. PCOS has been known to cause weight gain in some people.
All women are at risk for uterine fibroids. They are most common in women who are aged 10 to 35. Some women who have uterine fibroids will experience no symptoms, while others have many. Symptoms of uterine fibroids can vary from woman to woman. The most common symptoms are anemia, which is caused by heave periods. This can lower the number of red blood cells. Experiencing pain during intercourse and pain in the back of the legs are also common symptoms in addition to feeling pressure on the bowel or bladder.
Some women will notice that their abdomen appears to be growing. This causes a great deal of concern about uterine fibroids and weight gain. The appearance of growth can be from an enlarged uterine fibroid expanding. If you are worried that you may have uterine fibroids or if you have many symptoms, you should see your doctor. Your doctor can check for fibroids with an ultrasound or MRI. Some women who don’t have any symptoms may have their uterine fibroids diagnosed during a gynecological exam.
Not all uterine fibroids need to be treated. If you are not experiencing any side effects, you may not need any treatment. Birth control pills, or other hormones, may be used to mitigate some of the effects. Some women choose to have their uterine fibroids removed surgically through varying procedures. Most of the treatment options depend on the severity and size of the fibroids and how many symptoms you have. You can talk to your doctor about the different treatment options. You may also want to talk to other women who have had experience with uterine fibroids to see what has worked well for them.