Fighting Fibroid Pain: Home Management Techniques for a Happier Abdomen

Fibroids are muscular tumors that grow in the wall of the uterus (womb). It is a non-cancerous growth that often appears during the childbearing years. They can develop as a single nodule or as multiple nodules that can range in size from an apple seed to a grapefruit in the womb. Some women with fibroids experience no symptoms, while others may struggle to cope with their symptoms. According to the Journal of Women's Health, 25 to 50 percent of women with fibroids have symptoms such as heavy periods, fertility-related problems, increased urinary frequency, anemia, and abdominal pain.

Causes of Fibroids
1. Obesity: Excess body fat increases the amount of estrogen in the body. This puts obese women at a higher risk of developing fibroids.

2. Hormonal imbalance: It has been determined that fibroids have more estrogen and progesterone receptors than normal uterine muscle cells, which increases the possibility that these hormones may be involved in the growth and development of fibroids. Age, pregnancy, and certain medications can all affect the levels of these hormones, which in turn can affect how quickly fibroids grow.

3. Family history: Women with a family history of fibroids are at a higher risk of developing fibroids themselves. This suggests that there may be a genetic influence and the cause of fibroids may be a hereditary factor.

4. Age: Age also plays a crucial role as a factor. Fibroids are more common in people approaching menopause which means that women aged 45-55 years are more susceptible to fibroids.

Tips to manage abdominal pain due to fibroids

Here are 5 tips to manage abdominal pain caused by fibroids:

1. Heating pad
Fibroids cause inflammation which can immobilize the area and using a heating pad on the lower abdomen can help reduce pain to some extent by increasing mobility. It helps to relax tense muscles and relieve spasms.

2. Eat a balanced diet
A balanced diet is essential because it helps reduce inflammation, which in turn helps reduce pain. Dr. According to Nirmala, eating cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cabbage as well as fruits like apples and tomatoes can reduce the risk of developing fibroids. Also increase your protein, whole grains and vitamin D intake. Also, avoid processed foods, red meat, and dairy and sugary goods to prevent fibroids from getting worse.

3. Relaxation techniques
One of the factors that can increase fibroid pain is stress. Practicing some relaxation techniques like yoga, meditation, massage, acupuncture etc. have been proven effective in combating pain. For extra pain relief, try sleeping on your side with your legs close to your chest.

4. Avoid alcohol
Alcohol consumption can increase the severity and duration of common fibroid symptoms. Therefore, reducing your alcohol intake may help you cope with some of the worst fibroid symptoms.

5. Painkillers
Your doctor may recommend taking an over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), such as ibuprofen or naproxen, to help reduce shooting pain. NSAIDs can also reduce excessive menstrual flow related to fibroids.