Uterine Fibroid: Myths and Facts
Hi guys, welcome to my YouTube channel
Opppss
I’ve wanted to say that for a very long time
Anyway, welcome to the first edition of my health blog which I’m thinking of calling The Health Copy. I’m yet to decide, so I’ll love your opinion about the name at the end of this.
Now, there are 4 kinds of people reading this article
- You either have fibroid
- You know someone that has fibroid
- By virtue of your gender, you are at risk of having fibroid.
- Or you simply just need direct answers to some of the burning questions you have about fibroid.
I cleared the floor today to talk about one of the most misunderstood conditions in women’s health: uterine fibroids (also called uterine leiomyomas).
And according to research, almost half of Nigerian women are thought to have fibroids. Yet, despite how common they are, the myths somehow spread faster than the facts.
I mean, lies always run sprint (Said MJ)
So grab a chair 🪑… and a cup of tea ☕
This won’t be a long lecture. Just think of it as the conversation we’d have if you stopped me in the clinic and asked, “Doctor, is it true that…?”
I promise, we’ll be in and out before you know it 😉
So, let’s get the biggest myth out of the way first.
Q: Can a woman with fibroids get pregnant?
A: Yes.
Having fibroids does not mean you can’t get pregnant. Fibroid doesn’t absolutely affect fertility. You can get pregnant despite having uterine fibroid.
The effect of fibroid on fertility depends on its location and size, amongst other reproductive factors.
Many women with fibroids get pregnant without any hassle, carry healthy pregnancies, and deliver healthy babies. So no, a diagnosis of fibroids is not the end of your fertility story.
Q: Are fibroids cancer?
A: No.
Fibroids are non-cancerous (benign) growths that develop from the muscle of the uterus (womb). And the probability of a fibroid turning cancerous is extremely low (0.1%)
So, in the overwhelming majority of cases, they are not cancer and do not turn into cancer.
Q: What causes fibroids?
A: There is no exact cause for uterine fibroid.
Research has however shown that hormones like estrogen and progesterone play a role, alongside genetics.
Fibroids are also more common in certain groups like:
- Black women
- Women with family history of fibroids
- Women living with overweight or obesity
Q: How common are fibroids?
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A: Very common.
It’s estimated that 70-80% of women worldwide will develop fibroids by the age of 50.
And you and I may be one of them 🤷🏻♀️
PS: I heard the “God forbid” that you just said.
Q: Does a bigger fibroid always mean worse symptoms?
A: Not necessarily.
There are different sizes and locations of fibroid, and the size of the fibroid doesn’t necessarily reflect the severity of symptoms.
Someone with a small fibroid may have painful menstruation and abnormal bleeding. Meanwhile, another woman with a big fibroid may not have any symptom.
Besides the big belly, of course 🫣
Q: If I have fibroids, does that mean my tummy will become big?
A: Not always.
Fibroids come in all sizes.
They can be as small as 2×2cm and only found during an ultrasound scan. And some are as big as 15×15cm and more. Big enough to increase the size of the stomoch.
Q: Will I definitely need a Caesarean section if I have fibroids?
A: No.
Many women with fibroids have normal vaginal deliveries.
Whether a Caesarean section is needed depends on several factors, including where the fibroid is located, its size, the baby’s position, and how the pregnancy progresses.
The fibroid itself doesn’t automatically decide the mode of delivery.
Q: Does every woman with a big abdomen have fibroids?
A: Definitely not.
There are different things that can cause a large abdomen.
Fibroids are just one possibility.
Let’s not start diagnosing strangers because of the size of their stomachs.
Those are some of the questions I get asked most often in the clinic.
The more we talk about fibroids with facts instead of fear, the easier it becomes for women to seek help early instead of suffering in false belief.
Was there a myth on this list that you’ve believed before?
Or one you’ve heard someone confidently say?
I’d love to hear it in the comments. Maybe it’ll make it into Part 2.
