Uterine Fibroids Causes and Common Risk Factors

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Keeping your reproductive health at its best during the childbearing years can be challenged by uterine fibroids. The noncancerous growths are common and, while not dangerous, expose you to potential complications. Fibroids Garden City can cause complications like heavy blood loss, anemia, and fatigue, to mention a few.

Uterine fibroids may not interfere with your efforts to get pregnant. However, it can cause pregnancy loss or infertility, especially if you have submucosal fibroids. Moreover, fibroids increase pregnancy complications risks, such as preterm delivery, placental abruption, and restricted fetal growth.

Fibroid causes

The exact cause is not clear. The common factors seen to cause fibroids include:

Hormones

Hormonal changes during childbearing years are associated with uterine fibroids. The main hormones associated with fibroid development are estrogen and progesterone. Uterine fibroids contain more of these hormone receptors compared to normal uterine muscle cells. The hormones stimulate uterine lining development with each menstrual cycle. As the hormone production decreases, mainly after menopause, uterine fibroids tend to shrink.

Genetic changes

Uterine fibroids feature genetic changes compared to the typical uterine muscle cells. Genetic changes, such as due to a viral infection or exposure to a mutagen, can trigger fibroids development.

ECM (extracellular matrix)

ECM makes your cells stick together. Fibroids feature increased ECM levels, which makes them more fibrous. Moreover, since ECM stores growth factors, the increased levels lead to biological changes in your cells, further causing abnormal growth.

Growth factors

Your body requires growth factors to maintain the tissues. An example is the insulin-like growth factor. These factors can also lead to fibroid growth.

Fibroids risk factors

Fibroids are common during a woman’s reproductive age. Besides this, other common risk factors include:

Genetics

Fibroids show a hereditary trend. It runs in families, meaning that you are at a higher risk if your mother or sister has fibroids.

Race

Fibroids are prevalent in black women. Moreover, their severity, including size and symptoms, is higher. Their development also occurs at younger ages.

Menstrual cycle onset

If your menstrual cycle starts at an early age, you are at high risk of developing fibroids.

Other factors

Obesity or excessive weight increases fibroids risks. Deficiencies, especially Vitamin D, also increase your risk. Your dietary regimen also has an impact. For example, if you eat more red meat and drink alcohol, you are at risk of developing uterine fibroids.

Fibroids prevention is not straightforward, especially considering the causes and risk factors. Nonetheless, a few measures can help, including:

  •         Minimizing alcohol intake
  •         Eating a balanced diet
  •         Maintaining a healthy weight range

Hormonal contraceptives also show promise as you strive to prevent uterine fibroids development.

Many women have fibroids without any symptoms. Others experience symptoms whose severity is influenced by the fibroids:

  • Number
  • Size
  • Location.

Contact your doctor for screening and treatment if you experience symptoms including:

  • Heavy, prolonged, and/or painful periods
  • Pelvic pain
  • Bleeding or spotting between periods
  • Bladder difficulties, to mention a few

Uterine fibroids may not require treatment. In other cases, medication, including low-dose birth control, could suffice. However, if need be, they can also be surgically treated. Contact or visit Women’s Healthcare of Garden City today for more information, fibroids diagnosis, and treatment.

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