Do Uterine Fibroids Cause Weight Gain?
Obesity is a risk factor for developing fibroids. Also, fibroids themselves can cause weight gain, depending on their size. Severe fibroid symptoms, such as anemia and depression, can be secondary causes of weight gain. Anemia and depression can both lead to overeating.
Emotional eating resulting from depression can also cause weight gain. Anemia is often caused by extreme blood loss from fibroids, and it can trigger hunger cravings. Additionally, the lethargy that also accompanies anemia can be a deterrent to regular exercise. These factors mean there is no simple answer to the question, “Do uterine fibroids make you gain weight?” Weight gain can happen while trying to manage these symptoms.
Are your symptoms consistent with fibroids? Check your symptoms here
What Are Fibroids?
Fibroids are benign tumors that develop on the interior or exterior of the uterine wall. They can grow in clusters or singularly. It most commonly affects women in their childbearing years. The exact causes are unknown. Symptoms can include heavy bleeding during menstruation, anemia, abdominal bloating, and severe cramping. However, it is possible to have zero symptoms.
Fibroid Tumors and Weight Gain
Fibroids are often so tiny they are imperceptible. When they are small, they don’t add additional weight. They may be imperceptibly tiny when they form and then grow to the size of a small melon. When fibroids grow to larger sizes, they often cause the abdomen to swell and become distended. A Singapore woman had a fibroid that had grown to 61-pounds removed from her uterus. In this case, an exercise and diet plan wouldn’t have impacted the additional weight. Sometimes fibroids can give you a big belly.
How Can I Lose Belly Fat with Fibroids?
Fibroids can cause your abdomen to become bloated. So, achieving the “perfect” silhouette with a flat stomach with fibroids, may not be possible if your uterine fibroids have grown so much they are causing your stomach to protrude. However, it is still possible to lose weight and even address some of the discomfort that may accompany fibroids. Meeting with a healthcare professional to assess your health and determine the best course of action for your weight loss and fitness plan is important.
Can Food Help Reduce Fibroids?
Despite claims to the contrary, there aren’t any foods or supplements that can heal or reduce fibroids. However, having a diet rich in lean proteins, fresh vegetables and fruit is a great starting point.
Changing to a healthier lifestyle and reducing your BMI can lower risk factors that can cause health problems, like heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, gallstones, and some cancers.
Additionally, fat cells store and produce estrogen, which may lead to fibroid formation.1 So, achieving and maintaining a healthy weight can balance your hormones.
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Fibroid Diagnosis and Treatment
If fibroids are small and aren’t causing any problems your physician may want to monitor your condition. However, if they grow and begin to cause symptoms that disrupt daily life it is time to consider treatment options. A diagnosis of uterine fibroids can lead to countless questions about treatment.
The most common treatments involve surgery to either remove the fibroids or a hysterectomy. However, non-surgical uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) is available that gets rid of fibroids while keeping the uterus and ovaries intact. This minimally invasive treatment blocks the blood supply to the fibroid so that the tumor eventually dies and symptoms reduce or resolve completely.
UFE offers a variety of benefits over hysterectomy and other fibroid surgeries.
Our fibroid doctors will answer all of your questions about diagnosis and treatment. We want to help you make the decision that is best for you. Schedule a consultation online or call us at 855-615-2555.
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