More than 75 percent of black women are likely to get uterine fibroids before the age of forty and these tumors may cause heavy bleeding during menstruation, complications during pregnancy and painful intercourse. African-American women are also more susceptible than other races of women of getting fibroids at younger ages, which comes with harsher symptoms and grow quickly. Sounds daunting, but fibroids are actually something that you can manage, control and easily remove.

What are they?

Fibroids are non-cancerous tumors that form during a woman’s childbearing years. They may not cause any pain or discomfort and can be removed with minimally invasive procedures.

How to Get Rid of Them

Years ago women were told to either continue living with the tumors or remove their uterus with a hysterectomy. Modern medicine has allowed for fibroids, as small as a dime or as large as a grapefruit, to be removed with the uterus preserved. Procedures include myomectomys in which a doctor surgically removes the tumors; myolysis in which a lazar destroys the fibroids; an MRI focused ultra sound with high frequency sound waves that destroy the fibroids without any incision and uterine artery embolization which is an injection that cuts off the blood supply of the fibroids and causes them to shrink. Medications and birth control pills may help ease symptoms like heavy bleeding associated with fibroids and can diminish their size.

Lower Your Risk

Doctors have not yet pinpointed the exact cause of uterine fibroids but research has shown that genetics, poor diet, high levels of hormones like estrogen and lack of Vitamin D are linked with their production. There is not much you can do about your genes but try to maintain a balanced diet low in fat and sugar. Fat increases your levels estrogen and excess weight is bad for your overall health. Also, remain active with exercise to reduce fat and helps balance hormone levels. Vitamin D is most commonly received from ultra violent rays from the sun and absorbed through the skin. Since black people in general have a lot of melanin, which produces darker skin and protects from the sun, it’s harder for black women to get Vitamin D through sun exposure. Some alternative ways to ensure you are getting a sufficient amount would be to drink raw milk, which is rich with Calcium and Vitamin D, or take a multi-vitamin or supplement with Vitamin D.

If you think you may have fibroids contact your doctor to find out the best plan of attack for you.

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2 Comments

  1. this is terrible advice. it is a known fact that birth control pills are not a reliable source for shrinking fibroids as excess estrogen are one of the primary causes of fibroids.

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