The Alternative Health Gazette

Uterine Fibroids: Causes

If so many women potentially have fibroids, just what causes them?

Good question. Fibroids develop initially from one, single cell from inside the smooth muscular tissue of the uterus. This cell reproduces repeatedly which eventually creates a pale mass of tissue distinct from its neighbors. This tissue is firm, but rubbery. Science has yet to answer why this happens. But, there are some theories being offered.

Many medical experts believe that fibroids are basically genetic alterations. They have discovered that many fibroids contain alterations in the genes that specifically code for uterine muscle cells.

Another theory on the cause of fibroids is that two hormones, estrogen and progesterone, stimulate the development of the lining of the uterus in preparation for an eventual pregnancy. Fibroids just contain more of these hormone receptors than normal uterine muscle cells.

These growths come in all sizes. They range in size from what is called a “seedling” not visible to the human eye to the bulky masses that have been known to distort and enlarge the uterus, causing physical pain.

A third theory revolves around chemical factors. Substances that help the body with tissue maintenance like the insulin-like growth factor may play a role in the growth of these fibroids.

Fibroids come in just about every size imaginable. Some are so small that they can’t be detected unaided by the human eye. Others are so large that they protrude from the uterus enlarging and distorting its size. In some extreme cases, fibroids have been so large that it reached up to the rib cage.

Since potentially three quarters of the women already have developed fibroids, it might seem strange to talk about risk factors. It appears the only meaningful risk factor is being female. But, indeed, beyond that there certainly are two conditions that increase the changes of her developing uterine fibroids. The first is heredity. If your mother or your sister had fibroids, you’re definitely at increased risk for getting them yourself.

If you’re a black woman, then you’ll more likely develop fibroids. In fact, research shows that black women not only develop these growths earlier in life, they’re also more likely to have a greater number of them and for them to be larger in size.

Some studies additionally suggest that obese women are more likely to develop these non-cancerous growths than those of healthy weight. But the evidence here is still non-conclusive.

Another suggestion has been made that women who have taken oral contraceptives may have a decreased risk of fibroids. The same is said for women who are athletic. Again, in both of these instances there is not enough evidence to make any conclusions yet.

Since some believe the growths appear because of the stimulating effects of hormones which prepare the uterus for pregnancy. For this reason, they suggest that pregnancy may provide a protective factor for women. Again, there is no evidence that this is so.

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