Fibroid Growth

[greenThumbs]

Do fibroids tend to grow a little faster as we age and approach menopause or is the rate of growth completely independent of our age?

[AnotherKatie]

Rates of growth of fibroids vary between individuals.  They usually stop growing and shrink after menopause is complete, but they never vanish.  They are very rarely dangerous or cancerous, and are usually not a reason (on their own) for removal of the uterus, as they are benign. My uterus was removed because the fibroid grew to 14 weeks size, causing heavy bleeding (2 weeks out of 4) and severe anemia. Also pain and discomfort.  Plus I had a diseased ovary (my only one that was left) with many cysts and scar tissue.  If you have your ovaries removed they don't usually leave your uterus, as the hormone replacement therapy can cause uterine cancer.
The size of mine changed (up and down) over the last ten years.  I believe they may be an indicator of your overall health and lifestyle, and your estrogen levels.  Not to sound too New Age, but, if you have fibroids I would recommend you get your hormone levels checked, do not drink alcohol or coffee, do not smoke, cut out dairy products and do not carry excess body fat. I think stress is a factor too. You will be amazed if you research into how much estrogen we are exposed to in our diet and our environment.
Good luck!  Katie

[AnotherKatie]

One more weird thing I just gotta add:  For YEARS I have had tender, fibrocystic breasts along with the other junk I mentioned.  Guess what?  No ovaries as of Feb 24, (no more estrogren, right?) and for the first time that I can remember, my breasts feel normal, they are NOT SORE or lumpy.  I am on HRT and so far, so good.  Sure makes me wonder.... Estrogen dominance plus environmental issues are linked with a lot of the problems many women on this site struggle with.
Katie

[cip]

My understanding is that they shrink as we enter menopause. I once went to a seminar on herbal medicines for womens health and they said taking Reishi mushrooms (capsules)shrink fibroids. I started taking them and I guess, time will tell.......