According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Black women are three times more likely to have uterine fibroids than white women. If you’re a Black woman, it’s important to be aware of the risk factors that may increase your chances of developing fibroids. Hence we thought to share Black Women and Fibroids: 4 Risk Factors You Should Know.
In this post, we’ll discuss four factors that increase the risk of uterine fibroids in Black women.
Table of Contents
What Are Fibroids?
You’ve probably heard of fibroids, but what are they?
Fibroids are noncancerous tumors that grow in the uterus. They’re common in women of reproductive age, and black women are at a higher risk for developing them.
There are several factors that can increase your risk of developing fibroids, including: being overweight or obese, having a family history of fibroids, having high blood pressure, and drinking alcohol.
Who Is Most at Risk for Developing Fibroids?
You may be wondering who is most at risk for developing fibroids. The truth is that any woman of any race can develop them, but black women are especially susceptible.
There are a few factors that increase the risk for black women. One is genetics—if your mother or sister has had fibroids, you are more likely to develop them too. Another is obesity—being overweight or obese increases the amount of estrogen in the body, which can lead to fibroid growth.
Age, diet, and stress also play a role in fibroid development. So knowing all of this, what can you do to reduce your risk?
What Are the Symptoms of Fibroids?
So you know that black women are more likely to develop fibroids, but what are the symptoms?
Fibroids are typically benign tumors that grow in the uterus. While most women who have them don’t experience any symptoms, some common ones include prolonged menstrual periods, Pelvic pain and pressure, Pain during sex, urinary problems, constipation etc.
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important to see your doctor and get a diagnosis.
Are There Any Prevention Methods for Fibroids?
Although the cause of fibroids is unknown, there are some things you can do to reduce your risk. Here are four prevention methods you should know about:
1. Maintain a healthy weight. Obesity is a major risk factor for fibroids, so keeping your weight under control is crucial.
2. Eat a healthy diet. Eating a balanced diet high in fruits and vegetables can help reduce your risk of developing fibroids.
3. Exercise regularly. Exercise helps keep your body healthy and can reduce your risk of many health problems, including fibroids.
4. Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol. Tobacco smoke and alcohol consumption are both associated with an increased risk of fibroids.
Conclusion
There are four main factors that increase the risk of fibroids in black women.
These factors are: age, family history, obesity, and exposure to estrogen.
Having read Black Women and Fibroids: 4 Risk Factors You Should Know; we are sure this has opened your eyes to these risk factors and reduced your risk of developing fibroids.
Talk to your doctor about your risk factors and what you can do to lower them.