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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    Are fibroids preventable?

    Related Topics
    Fibroids Women's Health
    • 1 answer
    • Dr David Rosen
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    Dr David Rosen

    Gynaecologist, Laparoscopic Surgeon

    Dr David Rosen is a Specialist Endoscopic (Keyhole) and Robotic Surgeon with expertise in; Prolapse and Incontinence surgery, Endometriosis, menstrual disorders including complicated Hysterectomies by … View Profile

    Uterine fibroids represent a benign (almost always) grwoth of smooth muscle within the uterus. As such, they are made of the same tissue that the uterus itself is made of. They have a genetic component being more common in women of African descent including African American women, and in Australia we see them commonly in Asian women. Firboids may be completely asymptomatic but depending upon their locatiion within the uterus they can cause pressure or urinary frequency if they press on the bladder, heavy menstrual bleeding if they sit within or just under the lining of the uterus (submucosal fibroids) or pelvic pain.

    There may be a lifestyle compnent in that they grow under the influence of oestrogen (eg they will shrink by about 1/3 volume after the menopause) so reducing phytooestrogens in the diet may be of benefit, however there has been no associated reduction in fibroid volume or number in women on the pill for example.

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