Fibroids. You may have heard the term, but never knew exactly what they are, how they impact a woman’s health or the treatments. Fibroids form in the uterus as non-malignant growths commonly appearing during a women’s most fertile years. They range in size from very small to larger bulky masses that may put pressure on the uterus or enlarge it putting pressure on other organs like the bladder.
A woman may have one or multiple fibroids and they may cause lots of symptoms or none at all only discovered through routine pelvic exams. Women may have none, all or some of the following symptoms:
Heavy menstrual flow
Prolonged period
Pelvic pain
Pelvic pressure
Frequency
Constipation
A feeling of not emptying the bladder
Backache, rib pain or leg pain
It is important that a women seek immediate medical attention if she has severe vaginal bleeding to determine the cause. A woman is also at risk for anemia in excessive vaginal bleeding.
There are many reasons for uterine fibroids from genetics to hormones and growth factors like insulin-like growth factor. The risk factors are race, hereditary and/or environmental factors like obesity, early onset of menstruation, vitamin D deficiency, excessive alcohol consumption, increased red meat consumption with low green leafy vegetable intake.
There are many treatments for uterine fibroids and probably the most commonly thought of are the oral contraceptive pill and/or surgery. Few women realized there is a medication available to treat fibroids.
That medication is known as Fibristal and is used to treat moderate to severe signs and symptoms of uterine fibroids in adult women who are in their child-bearing years and who are eligible to have surgery to treat the condition.
It works by blocking the effect of progesterone on the lining of the uterus which is responsible for the growth of fibroids. By blocking progesterone, fibroids shrink and associated pain is reduced. So ask your doctor about Fibristal if you have fibroids. You will be glad you did.
We would love it if you would complete our survey about fibroids: http://whin.ca Thank you.
Maureen McGrath is a Registered Nurse host of the Sunday Night Sex Show on News Talk 980 CKNW, feminist, women’s health expert and a 2016 TED speaker on the Sexless Marriage. Her book is available on Amazon.ca : Sex & Health: Why One Can’t Come Without The Other. She is recipient of the Vancouver Board of Trade Community Catalyst Award 2016 and a finalist for YWCA Women of Distinction.
