Did you know uterine fibroids affect about 35 million American women? If you’ve received a diagnosis of fibroids or are worried you may have them, you might be concerned about the negative effects they can have on your life.
At the private practice of Daniel S. Kushner, MD, in White Plains and Queens, New York, our practice specializes in diagnosing and treating uterine fibroids. Dr. Kushner is also committed to helping women better understand fibroids so they can prevent them from developing or growing over time.
Dr. Kushner wants you to know that if you’re concerned about fibroids, not all news about them is bad. Here’s a look at five encouraging facts about uterine fibroids.
While fibroids are tumors formed from fibrous tissue that can grow in your uterus, the uterine wall, or outside the uterus in rare cases, they aren’t cancerous. These muscular tumors can vary greatly in size, ranging from as small as a tiny seed to bigger than a grapefruit.
While the word “tumor” is linked to cancer in the minds of most people, the truth is that fibroids have cancer cells in less than one in 1,000 fibroids. And the presence of fibroids doesn’t increase your risk of getting any type of cancer — including uterine cancer.
It’s true that many women experience fibroid symptoms that disrupt their everyday lives. But every woman experiences fibroids differently, and the location and size of your fibroids can mean you have no noticeable symptoms at all.
If you’re experiencing symptoms that make life miserable — such as lower back pain, constipation, period and bleeding issues, frequent urination, or painful intercourse — it’s important to get a fibroid evaluation by a trained specialist like Dr. Kushner to rule out other problems.
If you’ve been trying to get pregnant but haven’t been able to conceive or maintain a pregnancy, you might wonder if uterine fibroids are to blame. But only around 1%-2% of fibroids affect your fertility.
When fibroids may contribute to infertility, it’s usually because of their size and location in your uterus. In these cases, they may create changes that prevent pregnancy, such as:
If you’re worried about fibroids and fertility, don’t wait to talk to Dr. Kushner. Early treatment and intervention can improve your chances of conceiving.
Research shows that fibroid development is linked to having higher estrogen levels, and the foods you consume contribute to your body’s natural estrogen levels. Eating foods that increase estrogen may increase your risk of getting fibroids or worsening existing fibroids.
Unprocessed, plant-based foods, such as fruits, vegetables, beans, legumes, nuts, seeds and whole grains and starches, help regulate your hormones. While medical researchers are still investigating the connection, studies have discovered that diets high in green vegetables and unprocessed plant-based foods are highly correlated to a reduction in fibroids.
Many women think the only treatment for fibroids is a hysterectomy. But the good news is that many treatments exist to help you manage your fibroids, and fibroids that don’t cause troublesome symptoms may not need any treatment at all.
Dr. Kushner creates a personalized treatment plan to meet your needs, which may include:
Learn more about uterine fibroids and how we can help reduce your symptoms by scheduling an appointment with Dr. Kushner today. You can call the New York office nearest you or request an appointment online at your convenience.
