Uterine fibroids tend to affect the quality of life of middle-aged women. With social pressure and changes in lifestyle habits, the prevalence of uterine fibroids is on the rise. So, why are women prone to uterine fibroids? This article will explore this issue and ask the doctor to give us some advice to help female friends avoid the risk of uterine fibroids as much as possible.
First, the basic concept of uterine fibroids
Uterine fibroids are benign uterine muscle tumors that consist of smooth muscle tissue of the uterus. This tumor can be divided into different types, some are small and cause almost no symptoms, while others can grow very large, causing a range of health problems. Symptoms of uterine fibroids include irregular menstruation, painful menstruation, pelvic pain, painful intercourse, frequent urination, constipation, etc., and in severe cases, may even lead to infertility problems.
Second, the causes of uterine fibroids
Although the specific causes of uterine fibroids are unknown, studies have found that the following factors may be associated with the development of uterine fibroids:
1. Hormone level: The imbalance of hormone level is a complex and important factor in the formation of uterine fibroids. In the female reproductive system, estrogen plays a variety of important roles. One of them is to promote the growth of the endometrium and cell division. Normally, hormone levels in the body fluctuate during the menstrual cycle, but when estrogen levels are abnormally elevated, it may stimulate abnormal hyperplasia of the endometrium, creating favorable conditions for the formation of uterine fibroids.
2. Genetic factors: family history also plays an important role in the pathogenesis of uterine fibroids. If someone in your family has ever had uterine fibroids, your genetic background may increase your risk of developing the disease. This may be related to some specific genes or genetic predispositions in the familial inheritance, although the specific mechanism is not fully understood.
3. Age: With the increase of age, the risk of women suffering from uterine fibroids gradually increases. This is because fibroids usually have a higher chance of developing during the reproductive years. Especially in women over 40 years of age, the frequency of the disease increases significantly. This may also be related to changes in hormone levels and longer potential exposures.
4. Fertility history: Studies have shown that there is a certain relationship between women's fertility history and uterine fibroids. Women who have never been pregnant or have fewer pregnancies are more likely to develop uterine fibroids. Pregnancy and childbirth appear to have some protective effect against the risk of uterine fibroids, which may be related to changes in hormone levels during pregnancy as well as physiological changes in the uterus.
5. Weight: Because fat cells can secrete estrogen, thereby stimulating the growth of uterine fibroids. In addition, obesity is also associated with factors such as chronic inflammation and metabolic disorders, which may also play a role in the development of uterine fibroids.
Third, 3 behaviors that are easy to ignore in women's lives
Although the above factors play a role in the development of uterine fibroids, some of the behaviors that women have in their daily lives may also increase the risk of developing uterine fibroids. The following are three behaviors that are easy to ignore in women's lives provided by doctors, and I hope that female friends can be vigilant and try to avoid them.
1. Unreasonable eating habits
Eating habits play a vital role in a woman's health. Doctors point out that unreasonable eating habits may increase the risk of uterine fibroids. Some dietary factors include:
High-sugar diet: Excessive sugar intake may lead to obesity, which is a risk factor for uterine fibroids.
Too much red meat: High-fat red meat may lead to elevated hormone levels, which can promote the growth of fibroids.
Lack of dietary fiber: Dietary fiber helps maintain hormonal balance in the body, and a lack of dietary fiber may increase the risk of uterine fibroids.
2. Irregular life and rest
The fast-paced life, long working hours and social activities of modern society can lead to many women's irregular lifestyles. Doctors warn that this irregular lifestyle can become a potential factor in the risk of uterine fibroids. When there is no clear pattern in our life routine, our biological clock may be disturbed, which will negatively affect hormone secretion and metabolism in the body. Specifically, here are some of the possible risks of irregular lifestyle:
Hormonal disorders: Irregular lifestyles can lead to hormonal imbalances in the body, especially those that affect normal fluctuations in estrogen levels. This disorder may stimulate the growth of uterine fibroids.
Sleep problems: Irregular schedules can cause sleep problems such as insomnia or excessive fatigue. This affects the release of hormones in the body, which in turn increases the risk of uterine fibroids.
Eating habits: Irregular lifestyles are often accompanied by irregular eating habits, which can lead to unbalanced nutrient intake, increased weight, or hormonal fluctuations.
3. Lack of physical exercise
Lack of physical activity is a common problem in modern life, especially among women who are sedentary in the office. Doctors point out that a lack of moderate physical activity may increase the risk of developing uterine fibroids. Here are some things about the importance of physical activity and its relationship to the risk of uterine fibroids:
Maintain a healthy weight: Moderate physical activity can help maintain a healthy weight.
Promotes blood circulation: Exercise helps promote good blood circulation, which is important for maintaining the normal functioning of all parts of the body. Good blood circulation helps maintain hormone balance, which reduces the risk of uterine fibroids.
Lowering hormone levels: Moderate exercise can lower hormone levels in the body, especially estrogen levels. This is important to reduce the growth and development of uterine fibroids.
Maintain mental health and reduce stress
Stress and emotional problems also have a potential impact on women's health. Doctors remind us that long-term high-pressure living and mood swings may increase the risk of uterine fibroids. Studies have found that long-term mental stress may lead to unstable hormone levels, which in turn affects the occurrence of uterine fibroids.
In order to maintain mental health, female friends can consider the following methods:
Seek support and build social networks: Sharing with others and listening to their opinions and support in the face of stress and emotional distress can be emotionally relieved. Also, consider consulting a professional psychologist or psychologist who has the expertise to provide effective support, counseling and advice to help you better cope with life's challenges.
Learning coping strategies: Managing emotions and coping with stress effectively is an important part of maintaining mental health. Mastering healthy coping strategies can help you better handle the difficulties and stresses in your life. Yoga improves physical flexibility and emotional balance. Deep breathing exercises are also a simple and effective way to help reduce tension and anxiety, allowing you to cope with situations more calmly.
Maintain a positive attitude: A positive mindset and optimism are important for maintaining a healthy immune system and a stable hormone balance. Positive thinking and optimism help reduce tension in the body and reduce hormonal fluctuations in the body, thereby reducing the risk of disease. By developing positive thinking habits, you can better adapt to life's challenges and make it easier to stay physically and mentally healthy.
5. Treatment and management
If uterine fibroids are diagnosed, your doctor will make a treatment plan accordingly. Treatment varies depending on the severity of the condition and the impact of symptoms, including medication, surgery, and interventional therapy.
Details of drug treatment: Drug therapy is a common method of management of uterine fibroids that aims to reduce symptoms and control fibroid growth. These include hormone therapies, such as oral contraceptives, hormone injections or implants, and nonhormonal drugs, such as anti-inflammatory drugs. Hormone therapy can inhibit the growth of fibroids by lowering estrogen levels in the body, thereby reducing symptoms such as irregular menstruation, painful periods, and pelvic discomfort. Although medication can be effective in relieving symptoms, it usually does not cure uterine fibroids and may come with some side effects.
Further explanation of surgical treatment: Surgery is often the preferred method for larger or more symptomatic fibroids. One of the common surgical modalities is myomectomy, which preserves the uterus by removing uterine fibroids and allowing the patient to preserve fertility. For some conditions, especially those where uterine fibroids are large or pathologically affect the uterus, a hysterectomy may be recommended. Uterectomy is a more extensive procedure that can cause permanent infertility, so it is usually performed when a woman is no longer planning to have children.
Detailed introduction to interventional therapy: Interventional treatments are relatively new methods of management of uterine fibroids and are often used in some special cases. Among them, uterine artery embolization is a non-surgical treatment in which drugs or tiny particles are injected into the uterine artery through a catheter, blocking the blood supply to fibroids, resulting in fibroid atrophy. High-intensity focused ultrasound therapy is a non-invasive method that uses focused ultrasound energy to heat and destroy fibroid tissue. These interventional treatments can reduce the size of fibroids, reduce symptoms, and usually do not require a long rehabilitation period.
Uterine fibroids are a common gynecological problem, but female friends should not be frustrated or scared. By understanding the causes and risk factors of uterine fibroids, as well as adopting a healthy lifestyle, women can reduce their risk of developing uterine fibroids. Reasonable diet, regular work and rest and moderate exercise are all important factors to maintain women's health, and I hope that every woman can pay attention to their own health and prevent the occurrence of uterine fibroids. Most importantly, if you experience any discomfort or suspected symptoms, be sure to seek prompt medical attention and seek professional medical advice and treatment. Only in this way can we enjoy a healthier and happier life.