Estrogen Levels: Uterine Fibroid Tumors

Fibroids are muscular tumors that grow inside of the uterus and are one of two things that are telltale signs the body gives off when there is a hormonal imbalance within the uterus, the other being an enlarged or inflamed uterus. 

What really causes the formation of fibroids are inconclusive but a theory around the balancing of the hormones estrogen and progesterone in a female's body has a lot to do with the growth of fibroids.

Higher levels of estrogen in the body cause an overgrowth of cells and may be responsible for the formation of fibroids. Research has also shown that poor diet can be linked to the formation of fibroid tumors as well.

Progesterone and estrogen balance out each the balance each month so that ovulation takes place and the endometrium sheds to produce what women know as a period. 

As women get older the ovulation process slows down and not as much progesterone is produced as estrogen is. The balance between the two hormones are offset and estrogen now outweighs progesterone. 

Progesterone can also be lowered by stress and getting older usually in the mid to late forties when the body naturally decreases production.

The over production of estrogen with no balancing hormone is what causes the development and growth of fibroids.  Fibroids are common in the uterus and develops as the first sign of the body that hormones are unbalanced. 

The hormones progesterone and estrogen do not only affect the uterus but also breast, cervix, and ovaries as well and can cause tumors to form in these areas. Fibroids are not cancerous cells but do pose health risks when overgrown, like pressing against other internal organs. 

This makes it uncomfortable for urine to be passed when pressing against the bladder or kidneys and slows digestion when pressed against the digestive tract.

Some signs that there may be a period are pains during sex, frequent urination, lower back pain, problems conceiving a child, heavy bleeding (dysmenorrhea) and enlarged lower abdomen. 

The most common form of treatment for reducing or eliminating fibroids is to perform surgery, most of which involve the removal of the uterus. 

This, however, is not the very best option because removing the problem does not get rid of the cause of the problem, leaving the re-occurrence of pain and bloating because of increasing levels of estrogen and also the development of tumors in other areas like breast, cervix, and vagina.

The growth of fibroids are not clearly defined as to how they form but factors, like being of African American decent or being overweight, does create a deposition of early signs of developing the tumors of this nature. 

Instead of doing a hysterectomy to remove what seems to be the causing agent of fibroids, more attention needs to be paid on trying to make a balance of hormones and a diet change to prevent the formation of fibroids among other things. 

This practice needs to be more put in place than that of a hysterectomy that is major surgery because it does leave the women with more functionality with earth uterus as well as a uterus, it will also slow the growth of fibroids and a chance for older women to have children.