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Are you dealing with the problem of uterine fibroids? Did it ever occur to you if fibroids cause weight gain? Well, weight gain can occur due to various different factors.
Sometimes it is easy to resolve the cause reason for your weight gain. But the real trouble begins when you do not know from where those extra kilos came. In such cases, the weight gain is usually related to uterine fibroids.
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What are uterine fibroids?
Uterine fibroids are benign tumors that form within or on the walls of the uterus. While some women develop a single fibroid, others may suffer from numerous such growths. The size of a uterine fibroid can range from the size of a small seed to as large as a melon fruit. The largest uterine fibroid can even weigh more than 20 pounds. (Also Read: Some facts about uterine fibroids)
Mostly, uterine fibroids have a number of effects on both physical and emotional health. The effects on physical health include sudden weight gain, severe menstrual cramps, bloating, pelvis pain and constipation, etc. Whereas, on an emotional level mood swings and depression can occur due to fluctuation in the estrogen levels in the body.
Relationship Between Weight Gain and Uterine Fibroids
It is estimated that nearly 77 percent of women develop uterine fibroids at some point during their reproductive years. However, most of these are very small and asymptomatic and usually go unnoticed. Only in about 7-10 percent of the cases, uterine fibroids show noticeable symptoms. This happens when the fibroids grow large enough to have direct effects on the body.
As the fibroid grows larger, it becomes heavier too. This increase in the size and weight of the fibroids is subsequently reflected in your body weight as well. These growths can weigh anywhere between 20-40 pounds, which is more than enough to increase your body weight.
Large uterine fibroids can also lead to abdominal bloating. The uterus becomes enlarged and the abdomen appears to be swollen. In some cases, fibroids grow to the extent that they are mistaken for pregnancy. The effect of large fibroids on the uterus is the same as that of a 14-week pregnancy.
Fact: The largest uterine fibroid weighed a record 140 pounds. It’s like carrying around another person in the uterus.
In addition to the direct effect, uterine fibroids can also impact your body weight indirectly. Uterine fibroids are known to cause symptoms like anxiety, discomfort, stress, and fatigue. These factors can lead to cravings and you may end up eating a lot of high-calorie and greasy food. Also, the pain, troubles, and other symptoms of uterine fibroids may cause hindrance in your exercise routines. Overeating coupled with irregular exercise can make you gain even more weight.
What to do to prevent weight gain due to fibroids?
Here we are giving you some tips that will help to prevent weight gain even if you have uterine fibroids. Implement these habits in your regular life and you will be able to see positive results within a month or so.
Drink lots of water
Simplest yet the most neglected thing for a healthy body. Water is the best thing to drink if you have a uterine fibroid. No alcohol, no caffeinated drinks, no sodas, just water. Staying hydrated ensures the optimal functioning of the liver. Alkaline water produces even better results. It helps in cleansing the body and facilitates the metabolization of hormones. So, have a glass of water right away, it doesn’t matter if you have uterine fibroids or not.
Get moving
Dealing with uterine fibroids can be troublesome if the physical symptoms are prominent. But you got to keep the body moving to prevent further weight gain due to fibroids. Go for daily walks, jogging, running, swimming, skipping, etc. Doing so will help you feel better and fit. So, say goodbye to being inactive, embrace the moving life. This way you will embrace a healthier and happier life too.
Hit the gym
Exercising regularly is the key to keeping your body in shape. Proper and regular exercise helps burn those extra calories and shed that extra bodyweight due to fibroids. Exercise also keeps the hormonal level in check and improves blood circulation throughout the body, thereby preventing fibroids from growing.
Yoga
Yoga has proved to be wonderful to cure various health issues comprising of physical, mental, and emotional issues. When it comes to uterine fibroids or any reproductive health issues of women, one can definitely turn to yoga to help themselves. The simple yet effective yoga asanas improve blood supply to the uterus, flush out toxins, and strengthen uterine walls too. And yes, not missing yoga keeps the chances of being overweight at bay.
You can practice Janu Sirsasana, Baddha Konasana, Balasana, as these emphasize the most on the uterus and overall reproductive organs.
Eat these
Eating right is the most important step to avoid fast weight gain due to fibroids. A well-rounded diet that is free from all junk, greasy, and oily foods is the ideal diet for uterine fibroids. When you start having a nutritious and fiber-rich diet, it hastens the process of shrinking the fibroids and thus preventing weight gain. (Also Read: Best foods for uterine fibroids)
Whole grains, fruits, green leafy vegetables, eggs, and nuts must become a part of your diet chart if you want to avoid weight gain due to fibroids. The more natural foods you will have, the healthier your body will become.
Avoid these
As mentioned earlier, junk and processed foods tend to aggravate uterine fibroids. In addition to this, excess consumption of sugar and caffeine makes the fibroids grow bigger and severe, adding up to the bodyweight quite fast.
Therefore you need to switch your sweet and caffeinated beverages to healthier options such as green tea, chamomile tea, coconut water, etc.
Consult An Expert At the Right Time
Well, of course, all the aforementioned steps will help you in maintaining a healthy body weight if you have uterine fibroids. Still, we would suggest you seek a gynecologist to get assurance about your condition. If needed, the doctor may recommend the best-suited treatment for your problem of uterine fibroids. But yes, communicate to your doctor about your lifestyle and eating habits as well because they play a crucial role in this medical condition.
So, here we can help you in getting in contact with the best gynecologists at Pristyn Care. All you have to do is just book an appointment and our doctors will provide you comprehensive care to get rid of uterine fibroids effectively.
A tip to take away- Even after the treatment, make sure that your lifestyle and eating habits include everything healthy. You matter, your good health matters!
