What Are Fibroids Tumors, Fibroids Symptoms, and How to Avoid Uterine Fibroid Surgery?

Fibroids are also called fibroid tumors, uterine fibroids, uterine tumors, myomas, myofibromas, leiomyomas, fibromas, fibromyomas, tumors or benign tumors.

Tumor can be a scary word. When a woman hears she has a tumor, even a benign tumor, she immediately thinks about the possibility of cancer. The fear of getting cancer is strong and very real. However, fibroid tumors and uterine tumors are NOT cancer!

Whatever the name, fibroids are small, benign growths which grow on the outside, inside or within the smooth muscle in the wall of the uterus. In most cases, fibroids do not cause a problem. Studies estimate that less than 50 percent of women diagnosed with fibroids have bothersome symptoms. Only in rare cases, a rapidly growing fibroid may become cancerous.

By definition, fibroids are not malignant, they are not cancer, and they do not cause cancer, and they do not even increase the risk of having cancer. They are benign growths that appear in the uterus and can cause various symptoms, from mild to unbearable.

Fibroids, just like cysts on ovaries, are usually not a problem, and if they remain small they may never require treatment. However, in some cases they can grow to the size of a grapefruit or larger and produce extremely troublesome symptoms, such as bleeding, pain, or infertility.

The symptoms of fibroids, just as symptoms of ovarian cysts, can range from slightly uncomfortable to unbearable. Large fibroids can deform the uterus and cause it to press on other organs.

The following are the most common SYMPTOMS OF FIBROIDS:

• Heavy menstrual bleeding, in extreme cases bleeding may lead to anemia and fatigue. Bleeding between periods is not usually a sign of fibroids.
• Feeling pressure in the pelvis, abdominal bloating and pain
• Frequent urination
• Constipation
• Painful intercourse

Fibroids can cause pain, put pressure on organs adjacent to the uterus (bladder, bowel) causing constipation and frequent urination, heavy menstrual bleeding, anemia, painful intercourse, infertility and complications during pregnancy. The most common and frightening symptom of fibroids is heavy bleeding.

So, the most important factor to consider when choosing between treatment options is the severity of the symptoms they are causing. If there are no symptoms or they are not troublesome, no treatment is necessary.

In the past hysterectomies were often recommended for women with fibroids, but today various new treatments are available to control uncomfortable symptoms without surgery.

For example, myomectomy, which involves the surgical removal of just the fibroid, with reconstruction and repair of the uterus. There are now a number of techniques used to perform myomectomy: through an abdominal incision, vaginal incision, with a laparoscope, or with a hysteroscope. Myomectomy relieves symptoms in more than 75% of women.

In fact, the risks and side effects of medical treatments for uterine fibroids usually outweight the benefits, especially since there are many things that YOU can do to shrink your fibroids and restore your periods to normal with simple lifestyle modifications, especially nutritional changes.

Though the specific causes of fibroids are unknown, it is known that they are estrogen dependent, and hormone levels can affect their rate of growth to some extent. That is why fibroid tumors usually shrink during menopause. So adopting a healthful, anti-estrogen diet will help you shrink fibroid tumors and relieve the symptoms.

If you think you can't possibly be eating foods full of estrogens, think again.

Most conventional food is estrogenic. Meat and dairy products are loaded with hormones, and fruits and vegetables are sprayed with toxic pesticides. Once inside the body, they all mimic estrogen, which causes various hormonal disorders, that lead to fibroids, breast cancer, and other serious problems.

Although not the complete story, estrogen plays an important role in the appearance of fibroids. Fibroids are uncommon before puberty, they can increase in size during pregnancy, are most often found in women in their 30's and 40's, and usually shrink during menopause, all in tandem with rising and falling levels of estrogen in woman's body.

Although hysterectomies have been often recommended for women with fibroids, the good news is that today many new treatments are available to control symptoms without surgery. Uterine fibroid embolization, medical therapies and less invasive forms of surgery can help most women suffering from severe symptoms, without the need for hysterectomy.

Even better, there are also natural ways that you can apply to help you control the symptoms with simple lifestyle changes, especially with healthy diet. Exercise is another lifestyle factor that may lower your risk of getting fibroids.

If you suffer from severe fibroids symptoms but want to avoid fibroid surgery then you should read about natural way to stop fibroids from growing and be fibroids free forever.

You will learn how to stop heavy bleeding, cramps and bloating within hours, why you should NOT have surgery for fibroids (especially fibroid embolization), and about the risks and side effects of medical treatments for uterine fibroids that your doctor may not be telling you.