This article is part ofUterine Fibroids and Black Women, a destination in our Health Divide series.
But others experience symptoms like painful cramps and heavy bleeding during periods that significantly interfere with daily life.
Some people have pain during sex because of fibroids.
Xiaoyu Liu / Verywell
Because fibroids tend to grow, a person who didnt have symptoms initially may slowly start experiencing them.
Cramps that were once “normal” and easy enough to cope with may become awful.
But the change can happen so gradually people with fibroids just get used to the additional pain.
Fibroids are most common when women are in their 30s and 40s.
African American women seem to experience fibroids at younger ages.
Verywell Health: Why do fibroids sometimes cause painful cramping?
To help expel this blood and tissue, the levels of hormones called prostaglandins cause the uterus to contract.
That is the cramping that most people feel during their cycle.
Prostaglandins are involved in pain and inflammation and increase the amount of pain people feel.
When fibroids are present, more of this uterine lining forms.
As a result, the uterus must contract more, and the cramps are more severe.
The prostaglandins set up an inflammatory process.
Verywell Health: How do people with fibroids describe their pain?
Is the pain of fibroids similar in most women who have them?
Dr. Shepherd:Pain is very subjective.
No two people will feel pain from fibroids in the same way.
Some cramps are felt low down in the pelvis while others are felt as lower back pain.
It’s important to remember even though pain is subjective, it shouldn’t be downplayed.
Yet we know from research that Black women usually have bigger fibroids and heavier bleeding.
The bigger the fibroid, the heavier the bleeding.
This equates to more significant pain during cycles.
Verywell Health: What key in of medications are safe to treat fibroid pain?
Dr. Shepherd:There are lots of different management tracks that healthcare providers may prescribe to fibroid patients.
Ibuprofen can inhibit the inflammatory cycle.
Hormonal types of birth controlcan be used to treat the pain of fibroids too.
If you manipulate the bodys hormones so that there is less bleeding, then there should be less pain.
If there is less for the uterus to excrete, then there should be less cramping.
More recently, medications called gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonists (also calledGnRH antagonists) are being used to treat fibroids.
GnRH antagonists cause the body to go into a state similar to menopause, which shrinks the fibroids.
However, the fibroids start to grow again when the patient stops taking the medication.
Verywell Health: Are there any home remedies that can help?
Dr. Shepherd: Yes.
One method that is commonly used is a hot water bottle.
Verywell Health: What about surgery for fibroids?
When should that be considered?
A procedure to remove fibroids falls somewhere in the middle, and is called a myomectomy.
Many women want to avoid a hysterectomy because it means the loss of their fertility.
Ultimately, treatment is an individual choice.
Factors like number of fibroids, their size, and where they are located will influence your treatment options.
Interview conducted byValerie DeBenedette, health writer.
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