Fibroids
Fibroids are overgrowths of muscle and connective tissue in the wall
of the uterus. They may be described as solid, ball-like, smooth muscle
tumors. Fibroids are usually benign, or non-cancerous, tumors but they
can vary greatly in size, number and location, causing various problems
depending on the situation.
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Fibroids are non-cancerours tumors within the wall of the uterus. They
are composed of smooth muscle cells which constitute "fibrous"
tissue and come in all sizes. Depending on their size and location they
can be troublesome and dangerous.
Fibroids can cause pain, put pressure on organs adjacent to the uterus (bladder,
bowel) cause constipation and obstructions, discharge, hemorrhage, anemia,
abnormal vaginal bleeding, hemorrhage, infertility and complications during
pregnancy. The most common and frightening symptom of fibroids is heavy
bleeding. This can suggest that the problem is more serious than it appears.
If you have fibroids, you are not alone: Fibroid tumors are found in
40% of women between the ages of 35 and 55. Fibroids affect 50 % of African-American
women, although the reasons for this are still not clear.
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
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