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Fibroids, sometimes known as uterine myomas or leiomyomas, are non-cancerous tumours that grow within the uterus (womb) and are made of muscles and tissues varying in size.
Many women are unaware they have fibroids because they do not have any symptoms, and approximately 20-80 percent of women develop fibroids during their reproductive years.
It is not completely clear why fibroids appear in the first place but grow in response to estrogen stimulation.
Estrogen is the primary sex hormone responsible for the development and regulation of the female reproductive system and secondary sex characteristics.
As such, fibroids are very rare before puberty and after menopause — periods when ovarian estrogen production is low.
Common Symptoms Of Fibroids
- Heavy menstrual bleeding or painful periods.
- Longer or more frequent periods.
- Pelvic pressure or pain.
- Frequent urination or trouble urinating.
- Growing stomach area.
- Constipation.
- Pain in the stomach area or lower back, or pain during sex.
Fibroids are usually associated with infertility and can cause miscarriages.
Case Study
In 2020, Nollywood actress, Ini Dima-Okojie, underwent invasive surgery to remove fibroids. However, in a social media post earlier this month, the movie star announced that the fibroids have returned.
Ini publicly discussed her experience to encourage other women battling the condition, stressing she would not undergo another surgery but wants to take a holistic approach toward shrinking the fibroids.
The thespian listed foods she had decided to give up in an attempt to shrink the fibroids. “So I’m on a holistic journey to shrink my fibroids, which means I have to go on a special fibroid diet and these are some of the things I had to give up. Red meat, means lamb, cow, ram, goat and all that goat meat, sausages, processed meat and any form of red meat. White carbs so white pasta noodles, rice, how I love rice and bread.
“Dairy, so cheese, milk, refined sugar like cookies, cakes, condiments and processed food in general. Also, carbonated drinks and caffeine. Honorary mention, sodium and anything high in salt. So I am avoiding these things because they are high in estrogen and these things can make the fibroids grow.”
The case of fibroids regrowing after surgery has remained a huge concern to many women, causing many to resort to herbal medication to eradicate the tumour.
In an interview with Naija News, a gynaecologist with Divine Treasure Hospital, Osun State, Daniel Adenoye, confirmed that some fibroids tend to regrow after surgery.
According to him, some fibroids regrow because they were probably undetected during surgery, while oestrogen and progesterone hormones can also stimulate fibroid regrowth.
He said, “Fibroid is generally idiopathic, and it grows within the uterus/womb. it is of different types and it depends on where it is situated and attached to inside the uterus. Generally, 95 percent of women have fibroid, according to research. There is tendency for some fibroids to regrow, especially nodular fibroids. We must also understand that fibroids are of different sizes, for example, you can’t undergo surgery for the nodular fibroid and big-sized that cannot be removed. So, those that cannot be removed have a tendency to regrow even after operating the initial one.
“During surgery, some tiny fibroid cells might remain undetected. These can grow into new fibroids over time. Oestrogen and progesterone hormones can stimulate fibroid growth. Even after menopause, when these hormones decrease naturally, some women may still have residual levels that can trigger new fibroid development.”
Speaking further, Adenoye said medical experts are still searching for the cure for fibroids, and there are no holistic measures to curb their growth except the removal of the uterus.
On the claims that herbal medications can cure fibroids, Adenoye said the claims are not medically proven and cannot be used for any research or evaluation.
He added, “There is no holistic approach to curb the regrowth of fibroids or medication for it. There are still research on it to see if its regrowth or growth can be stopped. Most medications that have been tested are not 100 per cent effective. We have hysterectomy is a type of fibroid surgery when the fallopian tubes and uterus are removed, depending on where the fibroid is located. However, there are orthodox methods that people have used as a medication for the treatment of fibroid but it is not medically proven and cannot be used for any research or evaluation.”
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