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			Fibroid Tumors - A common but curable problem. Fibroid Tumors are almost always benign (non-cancerous) growths. They occur in many women as they enter their 30's and 40's. Fibroid tumors grow from the muscular wall of the uterus. They are made up of dense, fibrous tissues. Hence the name 'fibroid' tumor. Fibroid tumors are benign, but not benevolent. While a fibroid tumor isn't cancer, it can cause problems. Pelvic pain, excessive bleeding, fatigue, abdominal swelling and problems with fertility are all associated with fibroid tumors. Fibroid tumors affect 1 out of 5 women. Obviously, having a fibroid tumor is a fairly common problem. And the incidence of fibroid tumors in African-American women is especially high, 4-6 times more common than for Caucasian women. Small as a pea or big as a pumpkin. Some fibroid tumors will stay very small. You may experience no symptoms. Others can grow to the size of a full term pregnancy. Obviously, the larger the fibroid, the more discomfort and pressure on the uterus you will experience. Very large fibroids can also distort your abdomen, cause severe pain and/or lead to persistent anemia during periods. I have a fibroid tumor. Let's start with the good news. If you have been diagnosed with fibroid tumors, your problem is treatable. You CAN find relief from your current symptoms. While the word 'tumor' may seem upsetting, remember that a fibroid tumor is, by definition, benign. Fibroid tumors are treatable. They can be cured. What causes fibroid tumors? No one really knows. There is a possible link between fibroid tumors and estrogen production. Fibroid Tumors don't grow before menses; when the body is not yet making estrogen. They can grow very quickly in the presence of extra estrogen, for example, during pregnancy or when using birth control pills. And they often shrink when your body stops producing estrogen at menopause. But fibroid tumors will also appear in women with normal estrogen levels.
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