Do Fibroids Cause Weight Gain in Women? | USA Fibroid (2023)

FAQs

Does fibroids make you gain weight? ›

Do fibroids cause weight gain? Often, they can. Fibroids cause weight gain in the abdomen when the fibroids themselves grow large in size. Very large uterine fibroids can weigh several pounds or even push on other organs.

Along with making weight loss difficult, uterine fibroids can sometimes cause unintended or sudden weight gain. Weight issues with fibroids can occur because of an enlarged uterus, constipation, and/or menstrual bloating. During heavy periods, you may also reach for unhealthy comfort foods or avoid exercising.

If you have fibroids, you are most likely carrying extra weight. Eliminating the fibroids or shrinking them with UFE can often lead to weight loss.

Weight Gain And Bloating

Simply put, the more a fibroid grows, the heavier it will become. Consequently, weight gain and discomfort will follow as some fibroids weigh as much as 20-40 pounds. This swelling and bloating can even make a woman look pregnant.

Fibroids cause weight gain and bloating due to a hormonal imbalance or the size of the fibroid. Larger fibroids may cause a woman to gain weight in the abdomen, giving the appearance of normal belly fat. Simply put, the more a fibroid grows, the heavier it will become.

Fibroids themselves don't cause true weight gain. But some fibroids can become very large, and in some cases, weigh a few pounds. These larger fibroids can press on other structures in the abdomen or pelvis and appear to cause bloating and swelling around the abdomen.

Most fibroids are on the smaller side and weigh less than a pound. However, a large cluster of fibroids could grow to more than 8 inches in diameter and have a mass equivalent to a grapefruit, or even a watermelon. These fibroid clusters can weigh 5 to 10 pounds.

When do fibroids need to be treated? The answer is fairly straightforward. If the fibroids are asymptomatic, or cause you no issues, treatment is probably not needed. Whereas, if your fibroids cause you pain and other problems, treatments are available for you to choose from depending on the severity of the symptoms.

If fibroids get very large, they can cause your belly to bulge like a pregnancy or press on nearby organs causing constant pelvic pressure, frequent urination, or difficulty passing bowel movements. In some cases, fibroids can make it harder to get pregnant or cause problems during pregnancy or childbirth.

What is fibroid belly? ›

In women with fibroids (also called leiomyomas or myomas), a fibroid belly can also signal that two things may have changed. First, one or more fibroids may have grown so much that they are now causing a distended abdomen (fibroid belly) and increased body weight.

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.

Most experts believe that about 9-10 centimeters (about 4 inches) diameter is the largest size fibroid that should be removed laparoscopically.

If left untreated, fibroids can continue to grow, both in size and number. As these tumors take over the uterus the symptoms will become worse. The fibroids pain will increase. The heavy bleeding will become heavier and it may be accompanied by severe cramping.

Exercise and diet cannot shrink your fibroids alone; only specialized fibroid treatment can shrink or eliminate your fibroids. Despite following a healthy lifestyle and exercising regularly, there may come a time when your fibroids begin to grow and symptoms worsen.

Myomectomy. A myomectomy is an operation to remove fibroids while preserving the uterus. For women who have fibroid symptoms and want to have children in the future, myomectomy is the best treatment option. Myomectomy is very effective, but fibroids can re-grow.

Hysterectomy is a permanent solution for fibroids, and is an option if other treatments have not worked or are not appropriate. A woman cannot become pregnant after having a hysterectomy. If the ovaries are removed along with the uterus, hysterectomy causes immediate menopause.

CAN UTERINE FIBROIDS CAUSE BLOATING? Yes, bloating can be caused by fibroids. Because Fibroids can appear as a single large benign tumour, or a cluster of small benign tumors, if a fibroid grows in size, it can cause the abdomen to bloat and become visibly swollen.

Fibroids may stimulate the growth of blood vessels, which contributes to heavier or irregular periods and spotting between periods. Elevated levels of hormones called prostaglandins may also contribute to heavy bleeding.

How do I know if my fibroids are getting bigger? ›

The only surefire way to know if your fibroids are growing is to undergo an ultrasound or MRI exam. If you visit a fibroid specialist, they will likely order medical imaging when you experience increased symptoms, such as heavier bleeding or more pain than usual.

Any amount of bleeding that interferes with your daily quality of life is a concern. Other red flags include: Bleeding between periods and having more than one period in a month. Having a period that lasts longer than seven days.

A 2019 trial followed 69 women who had fibroids as well as a vitamin D deficiency. After the women started taking vitamin D supplements, researchers noted that the size of their fibroids was significantly reduced. As a result, the study authors concluded that you could treat fibroids with vitamin D supplements.

A recent study found that eating plenty of fruits like apples and tomatoes, and cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cabbage, could lower the risk of developing fibroids. And, eating healthier choices like organic fruits and vegetables and whole-grain foods could help improve your symptoms.

Fibroids are pretty common — between 20-70 percent of women will develop fibroids during their reproductive years. And they're almost always (99 percent of the time) harmless. But that doesn't mean you should ignore them. Fibroids can cause complications like excessive bleeding and reproductive problems.

A hysterectomy may be recommended if you have large fibroids or severe bleeding and you do not want to have any more children.

Also known as an "open" myomectomy, an abdominal myomectomy is a major surgical procedure. It involves making an incision through the skin on the lower abdomen, known as a "bikini cut," and removing the fibroids from the wall of the uterus. The uterine muscle is then sewn back together using several layers of stitches.

After myomectomy surgery, most women experience relief of bothersome signs and symptoms, such as excessive menstrual bleeding and pelvic pain and pressure. Fertility improvement. Women who undergo laparoscopic myomectomy, with or without robotic assistance, have good pregnancy outcomes within about a year of surgery.

Many women have benign (non-cancerous) growths known as fibroids in or on their womb (uterus). Most fibroids are small and don't cause any problems. They are usually discovered by chance. Depending on where fibroids are located, they may cause period pain, heavy menstrual bleeding or other symptoms.

What are the signs of fibroid in a woman? ›

Many women first notice an expanding waistline when clothing begins to fit differently. Others have difficulty bending over or moving around: some experience frequent urination, digestive problems, or worsening menstrual cramps.

Symptoms of a ruptured fibroid include: Acute abdominal pain. Low-grade fever. High white blood cell count.

They can be useful when estrogen is needed, but when it is not they are a problem for women with fibroids. Fibroids feed off estrogen, so more estrogen triggers tumor growth.

Women can experience pressure on the bowel and/or bladder due to fibroids. This can cause constipation, frequent urination and incontinence. In some rare cases, fibroids can press on the ureters (tubes which carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder), leading to kidney dysfunction.

Certain procedures can destroy uterine fibroids without actually removing them through surgery. They include: Uterine artery embolization. Small particles (embolic agents) are injected into the arteries supplying the uterus, cutting off blood flow to fibroids, causing them to shrink and die.

Can fibroids turn into cancer? Fibroids are almost always benign (not cancerous). Rarely (less than one in 1,000) a cancerous fibroid will occur. This is called leiomyosarcoma.

As you get closer to menopause, your uterine fibroids may shrink and become less noticeable. For many, their fibroid-related symptoms go away completely. Also, when you begin menopause, your risk of developing new uterine fibroids decreases. “When you stop your periods, the fibroids go to sleep,” says Dr.

Uterine fibroids may burst because of an increase in blood pressure or abdominal pressure, a twisted fibroid, an injury, or a fibroid that has grown too large for it's blood supply. Increased blood pressure or acute blood loss are serious complications of a ruptured uterine fibroid.

Fatigue. Fatigue is especially easy to miss as a symptom of fibroids because it's not caused by overwork or a lack of sufficient sleep at night, but is mainly due to the loss of blood from heavy periods. This blood loss leads to anemia and an iron deficiency from the lack of red blood cells.

Is it OK to live with fibroids? ›

With many treatment options available, there's no reason to live with fibroids that harm your quality of life. If you consistently miss work or don't attend social events because of fibroids, those are red flags to seek medical treatment. “There are many treatment options available, and you do not need to suffer,” Dr.

“Once you go through menopause, fibroids start shrinking because they don't have the hormones that were being produced by the ovaries that help them grow,” Dr. Bhagavath says. After menopause, into your 60s and beyond, your fibroids will continue to decrease in size.

Lie down and put a pillow under your knees. Or lie on your side and bring your knees up to your chest. These positions may help relieve belly pain or pressure.

One of our favorite ways to manage your fibroids is with cardiovascular exercises like walking, jogging or swimming. These are considered cardio because they raise your heart rate.

If fibroids get very large, they can cause your belly to bulge like a pregnancy or press on nearby organs causing constant pelvic pressure, frequent urination, or difficulty passing bowel movements. In some cases, fibroids can make it harder to get pregnant or cause problems during pregnancy or childbirth.

A myomectomy may be abdominal surgery, or your surgeon may use a hysteroscope or laparoscope to remove the fibroids without having to make a large cut on your abdomen. There is also a newer method that uses MRI-guided intense ultrasound energy to pinpoint the fibroids and shrink or destroy them.

Exercise can be an important part of uterine fibroid prevention and management. Modifiable activities that contribute to cardiovascular health and muscle strength are some of the best for people with fibroids.

Exercise and diet cannot shrink your fibroids alone; only specialized fibroid treatment can shrink or eliminate your fibroids. Despite following a healthy lifestyle and exercising regularly, there may come a time when your fibroids begin to grow and symptoms worsen.

Do fibroids need to be removed? ›

When do fibroids need to be treated? Uterine fibroids usually need treatment when they cause: Anemia from heavy fibroid bleeding. Ongoing low back pain or a feeling of pressure in the lower belly.

Causes of Uterine Fibroids

Hormones and genetics might make you more likely to get them. Hormones. Estrogen and progesterone are the hormones that make the lining of your uterus thicken every month during your period. They also seem to affect fibroid growth.