Womanly woes

Recently, while learning about another health issue affecting women of all ages out here—bone spurs—I wondered if one could only know how to prevent these conditions. While growing up one heard only about heart condition or diabetes (cancer too but rarely those days), maybe because men speak openly about their health issues. It is only now that even Menopause is getting the attention it deserves. 

Normally these are conditions affecting women older than 50, but now it seems to have no specific age. Thought I shall write about one of them since it affected me too. Nothing much has changed (in India at least) and even after so many years, since most are still having the same treatment. (hysterectomy)

Initially I removed only my uterus and retained my ovaries against my doctor's advice when he told me that I will return to him to remove the ovaries too!! His explanation was that I was prone to these ailments. What could be that and why? But did his prediction come true? Yes. Year or two after the operation I found that I had a cyst growing on one of the ovaries. I was advised to leave it thus and only to monitor its growth. Life got busy, and during my son's 12th-grade exams, its stem somehow twisted, causing me unbearable pain that no number of painkillers could relieve. I was asked to do an emergency surgery and was also called lucky since it did not bleed into my body. One more trip to India and another keyhole surgery so that I can return quickly to life and its demands.

While reading about the condition, I think one reason why I got this ailment could be my diet and Vitamin D deficiency? I was not obese, but stress too could have been a factor. Have read that it could be because my body was not getting rid of toxins as needed. My intake of water then was dismal. Some studies suggest that repeated pregnancies may help keep fibroids smaller over time, but they do not eliminate them completely.

Fibroids 

Fibroids, also known as uterine fibroids or leiomyomas, are non-cancerous growths that develop in or on the uterus. They are made up of muscle and connective tissue and can vary in size—from tiny, undetectable nodules to large masses that can distort the uterus.

Fibroids come in different types, depending on their location in or on the uterus. Here are the main categories:

Types of Fibroids

1. Intramural Fibroids – The most common type, these grow within the muscular wall of the uterus. They can expand and make the uterus larger.

2. Subserosal Fibroids – These develop on the outer surface of the uterus and may grow large enough to make the uterus appear bigger on one side.

3. Submucosal Fibroids – Found just beneath the inner lining of the uterus, these can protrude into the uterine cavity and often cause heavy menstrual bleeding.

4. Pedunculated Fibroids – These are attached to the uterus by a stalk and can be either subserosal or submucosal.

5. Cervical Fibroids – A rarer type, these grow on the cervix, the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina

Each type can cause different symptoms, depending on its size and location.

Symptoms

Many people with fibroids experience no symptoms, but when they do, common signs include:

• Heavy menstrual bleeding or prolonged periods

• Pelvic pain or pressure

• Frequent urination or difficulty emptying the bladder

• Constipation

• Lower back pain

• Pain during intercourse

Causes & Risk Factors

The exact cause of fibroids is unknown, but several factors may contribute:

• Hormonal changes: Estrogen and progesterone influence fibroid growth.

• Genetics: A family history of fibroids increases the risk.

• Age: More common in people over 30.

• Obesity: Excess weight can contribute to fibroid development.

• Vitamin D deficiency and high alcohol consumption may also play a role.

Diagnosis & Treatment

Fibroids can be diagnosed through ultrasound, MRI, hysteroscopy, or other imaging tests. Treatment depends on their size, location, and severity:

• Medications: Hormonal therapy, pain relievers, or antifibrinolytics.

• Minimally invasive procedures: Uterine artery embolization or endometrial ablation.

• Surgery: Myomectomy (fibroid removal) or hysterectomy (uterus removal in severe cases)

Lifestyle Changes

Making lifestyle changes can help reduce the risk of developing fibroids or manage their symptoms. Here are some key strategies:

Dietary Adjustments

• Follow a Mediterranean diet – Eat plenty of fresh vegetables, fruits, legumes, and fish while reducing red meat consumption.

• Limit alcohol – Alcohol can increase hormone levels that contribute to fibroid growth.

• Increase vitamin D intake – Vitamin D may help lower the risk of fibroids.

• Reduce processed foods – Avoid high-fat dairy, processed meats, and sugary foods, as they may worsen fibroid symptoms.

Exercise & Weight Management

• Stay active – Regular exercise (about 7 hours per week) has been linked to a lower risk of fibroids.

• Maintain a healthy weight – Excess weight can contribute to hormonal imbalances that encourage fibroid growth.

Hormonal Balance & Stress Management

• Manage estrogen levels – Losing excess weight and eating hormone-balancing foods can help.

• Reduce stress – Regular movement, like walking, yoga, or strength training, helps regulate cortisol and boost mood.

• Deep breathing – Techniques like diaphragmatic breathing or box breathing can calm the nervous system.

• Stretching – Gentle stretching relieves tension and supports hormonal balance.

Time to return..

Think I have neglected this blog enough! Was much shocked and sad to read about IHM’s daughter and I had no idea about it until I returned from vacation. This life is indeed strange and nothing seems to be constant. One needs to try hard to stay unruffled and it is not easy.


Had a restful vacation this time. Restful only since I was forced to take rest owing to a surgery to remove a part of me or as per my son – his first home.

It was at the end of my last vacation and during a routine check up that I discovered that I had fibroids growing in and out of my uterous. It was a rude shock since I never had any other medical problems and no physical symptoms normally associated with fibroids. Did search low and wide but knew it was a lost cause since the stuff had already grown much. It was getting too comfortable inside me specially since I never knew of it’s existence. Thought of leaving it there but it was not easy to brush away my own fears as well as that of my loved ones. The doctor who discovered it first asked me to take it out immediately while others asked me to wait and watch. Hence I waited and watched for a year. I was also searching for a doctor who could do the operation in a non-invasive way and this seemed an impossible task since the size of the fibroids were too big. Finally it was done at Paul’s hospital – Ernakulam. A wonderful doctor is all I can say and an operation which should normally take only 1 hour or less went on to four hours leaving everyone [except me :) who was blissfully lost to the world] anxious and worried. But except for the first few days of minor pain, I felt perfectly fine and so far so good. Hats off to technology and to our wonderful doctors.

I hope to return to blogging or rather grumbling more often now.