There are many approaches to uterine fibroid management.
The desire to get pregnant is also a factor when deciding on treatment options.
Some preliminary research has linked high-stress levels with fibroid symptoms.
Julie Bang / Verywell
A high level of stress triggers excessive output of adrenal stress hormones, like cortisol.
This can upset your hormonal balance, throwing offestrogenandprogesteronelevels.
Lowering your blood pressure may help your fibroids, and improves overall health.
Health professionals suggest limiting red meat consumption.
NSAIDs are not as effective as oral birth control pills at limiting heavy menstrual bleeding in three months.
Of note, IUDs and oral contraceptive pills do not shrink tumors.
Julie Bang / Verywell
Women over 35 years old who smoke should not take certain oral contraceptive therapies.
Lupron is not always well toleratedpossibly causing short-term symptoms of hot flashes and long-term symptoms of bone loss.
Iron Supplements
If you have symptoms of severe heavy menstrual bleeding, you may become anemic.
You might be prescribed iron supplements to restore your depleted iron levels.
In severe cases, a blood transfusion may be needed.
In most cases, this quickly corrects anemia.
Finding a specialized OB-GYN who is proficient in performing these procedures can also be a challenge.
Black Women and Myomectomy
Black women receive myomectomy more than any other group.
They are nearly seven times more likely to undergo this procedure.
This is also called a minimally invasive approach.
“I had my firstmyomectomyto remove those 27 fibroids.
It was performed via C-section, with the same recovery time.”
An open hysterectomy means that a large abdominal incision is made to reach the uterus.
This procedure is usually performed in an outpatient setting by an interventional radiologist.
Efforts are needed to widen access to this nonsurgical treatment.
Overall, this procedure has minimal side effects, and patients can usually go home the same day.
Localized pain and some short-term heavy bleeding may occur.
What we know is that many Black women suffer from undertreatment, and that needs to change.
More inclusive research is one way to accomplish that.
The propagation of Black pain myths in the U.S. healthcare system is especially troubling.
Fibroid symptoms are likely underreported because some Black women may normalize their painful experiences.
Even if they discuss their symptoms with their healthcare provider, it may be discounted or not addressed appropriately.
Many women are raised to believe painful, heavy periods are just a part of life.
Also, access to care is largely dependent on where you live.
Your insurance coverage varies based on geography, and rural areas tend to have fewer specialists than urban areas.
Black Health Coverage
Some insurance companies cover more specialized procedures, while others do not.
Specialized care tends to be clustered around major cities.
A Word From Verywell
Uterine fibroids are a common condition that many will experience during their life.
Lack of proper health education has led many women to believe fibroid treatment myths that they hear or see.
Williams ARW.Uterine fibroids - what’s new?.F1000Res.
2017;6:2109. doi:10.12688/f1000research.12172.1
Wise LA, Laughlin-Tommaso SK.Epidemiology of uterine fibroids: from menarche to menopause.Clin Obstet Gynecol.
2019;18(1):404-410. doi:10.3892/etm.2019.7575
Kohi MP, Spies JB.Updates on uterine artery embolization.Semin Intervent Radiol.
Sohn GS, Cho S, Kim YM, et al.Current medical treatment of uterine fibroids.Obstet Gynecol Sci.
2014;9(1):e85933.
2020;11(11):CD008994.
doi:10.1002/14651858.CD008994.pub3
De la Cruz MS, Buchanan EM.Uterine fibroids: diagnosis and treatment.Am Fam Physician.
2017;95(2):100-107.
2015;67(4):569-579. doi:10.1080/01635581.2015.1015746
