Six Things That Can Increase Your Risk Of Having Fibroid

A uterine fibroid is a non-cancerous growth in a woman's uterus (womb) and it often appears during child bearing years.

They can cause symptoms such as excessive menstrual bleeding, pelvic pain, and frequent urination. They may require emergency treatment if these symptoms appears suddenly.

As many as 3 out of 4 women have uterine fibroids some time during their lives, but most are unaware of them because they often show no symptoms. Women of African descent are two to three times more likely to develop fibroids than women of other races.

The causes of uterine fibroids are not well known. Fibroids tend to run in families, and affect women who have a family history of fibroids.

The 6 things that can increase your risk of having fibroid are:

1. Hormones. Fibroids grow in response to stimulation by the hormones 'Estrogen' and 'Progesterone'. These are two hormones that stimulate development of the uterine lining during each menstrual cycle in preparation for pregnancy.

2. Weight: Obesity is also known to increases the chances of developing fibroids.

3. Hereditary: If your mother or sister had fibroids, you're at increased risk of also developing them

4. Race: African heritage (occurring 3-9 times more often than in Caucasian women)

5. Pregnancy: Pregnancy and childbirth seem to have a protective effect and may decrease your risk of developing uterine fibroids.

6. Menstruation: Onset of the menstrual period prior to age 10 will increase ones risk of developing fibroids.

On the other hand, it is shown that the Use of oral contraceptives may lower risk of fibroids.

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