What are Fibroids? Do They increase During Menopause?
Fibroids are uterine leiomyomas, usually noncancerous growths that arise from the uterine muscle that can develop in the uterus of women of reproductive age. These growths are influenced by the hormones estrogen and progesterone, and their growth can be stimulated by these hormones. As a result, fibroids tend to shrink after menopause, which is when estrogen and progesterone levels decrease. Fibroids are usually benign, or non-cancerous growths that extremely rarely may turn cancerous.
Fibroids can either be inside the uterus, in the wall of the uterus, or completely outside the uterus. Those that are inside, or in the wall of the uterus can cause heavy bleeding during periods, or pain during periods.
Since fibroids are dependent on hormones to grow, they usually decrease in size after menopause when the levels of the hormones are low.
As the fibroids shrink in size, symptoms related to fibroids, such as heavy bleeding and pain, may improve or disappear. However, it is important to note that not all fibroids will shrink after menopause, and some may continue to grow or develop new symptoms.
The relationship between fibroids and menopause is that menopause can cause a decrease in hormones that can lead to a reduction in the size of fibroids. However, it is important for women to continue monitoring their fibroids during menopause and consult with their healthcare provider for appropriate management.
