| Ovarian fibroids, or uterine fibroids (also known as | | | | - Irregular menstrual periods |
| myoma), are abnormal growths which attach | | | | - Tenderness in the abdomen, which could be one |
| themselves to the outer part of the ovary or in the | | | | sided |
| uterus. They are the most common benign tumor and | | | | - Pain in the lower back |
| is the dominant indication for hysterectomies in the | | | | - Dull pain in the upper part of the legs |
| United States. Many women have them; in fact | | | | Treatment |
| 15-20% of women of reproductive age will be | | | | Basically doctors prefer to monitor the patient closely |
| affected by fibroids. Sadly, the group most likely to be | | | | before taking action because as mentioned above, the |
| affected are women in their thirties and forties; a time | | | | growths don't usually cause pain until they grow large. |
| when many women are anxiously seeking to become | | | | However there are several ways of treating ovarian |
| pregnant. The good news is that the majority of | | | | fibroids, some of which are: |
| women with ovarian fibroids do not have any | | | | - Hormone therapy - This could be by administering |
| problems with them and in fact, many do not even | | | | birth control pills to change the hormonal levels so as to |
| know they have them. They usually disappear on their | | | | shrink the growth and even prevent it from recurring. |
| own and don't constitute danger unless they increase | | | | - Change of diet - If the blood sugar level of a woman |
| in size thereby putting pressure on the organ to which | | | | is too high, it can cause hormonal imbalance. Eating |
| they are attached, causing pain. | | | | foods that are high in fiber like oats, foods that are rich |
| Causes of Ovarian Fibroids | | | | in isoflavones and lignans, foods that are low in sugar, |
| The causes of ovarian fibroids is not certain but | | | | and lots of fresh vegetables and fruits can help lower |
| doctors think it could be caused by: | | | | blood sugar, relieve the pressure caused by the weight |
| - Hormonal imbalance (there appears to be a strong | | | | of the growth and move waste out of the body. |
| link between the female hormone, estrogen, and the | | | | - Water - Drinking lots of water assists in flushing out |
| growth of fibroids.) | | | | toxins and unwanted waste from the body. |
| - The food you eat | | | | - Herbs - Herbal teas and natural herbs are known to |
| - Genetic composition | | | | help relieve the symptoms associated with ovarian |
| - Exposure to certain kinds of pesticides | | | | fibroids. One such herb is tripterygium. |
| Symptoms of Ovarian Fibroids | | | | - Ultrasound treatment - Using an MRI machine, the |
| The symptoms can vary from person to person. Most | | | | location of the ovarian fibroids are determined and a |
| often ovarian fibroids are asymptomatic and painless | | | | high-energy ultrasound is trained on it so that the heat |
| except in cases where they grow large. Note that | | | | from the ultrasound will kill the growth tissues. |
| fibroids can range in size from microscopic to the size | | | | - Surgery - This is the last method resorted to by |
| of a basketball. When symptoms are present, the | | | | doctors and it is used when the growth has become |
| most common are: | | | | too large and is causing severe blood loss and pain. A |
| - Bleeding between menstrual periods | | | | woman that is experiencing any of the symptoms of |
| - Abdominal pain | | | | ovarian fibroids needs to see a doctor as soon as |
| - Heavy bleeding during menstrual period | | | | possible. The doctor will discuss options of treatment |
| - Pelvic pain | | | | with her and the one that is best for her condition. |