My wife has uterine fibroid

Dear Agatha, What are the causes of uterine fibroids and how common are they? I am bothered because my wife has it. Lanre. Dear Lanre, None of the researches I made could say exactly why women develop these tumours. However, the different searches agree that genetic abnormalities, alterations in growth expression, like proteins formed in the body that direct the rate and extent of cell proliferation, abnormalities in the vascular-blood vessel system, and tissue response to injury have all been suggested to play a role in the development of fibroids. In their opinion, family history is a key factor, since there is often a history of fibroids developing in women of the same family just as race appears to play a role. Women of African descent are two to three times more likely to develop fibroids than women of other races. Women of African ancestry also develop fibroids at a younger age and may have symptoms from fibroids in their 20s, in contrast to Caucasian women with fibroids, in whom symptoms typically occur during the 30s and 40s. Pregnancy and use of oral contraceptives both decrease the likelihood that fibroids will develop. Thankfully, fibroids have not been observed in girls who have not reached puberty, but adolescent girls may rarely develop fibroids. Other factors that researchers have associated with an increased risk of developing fibroids include having the first menstrual period (menarche) prior to age 10, consumption of alcohol (particularly beer), uterine infections, and elevated blood pressure (hypertension). Oestrogen tends to stimulate the growth of fibroids in many cases. During the first trimester of pregnancy, up to 30 per cent of fibroids will enlarge and then shrink after the birth. In general, fibroids tend to shrink after menopause, but post-menopausal hormone therapy may cause symptoms to persist. Overall, these tumours are fairly common and occur in up to 50 per cent of all women. Most of the time, uterine fibroids do not cause symptoms or problems, and a woman with a fibroid is usually unaware of its presence. Uterine fibroids are benign tumours that originate in the uterus. It is best you seek professional help in the treatment and management of the condition. Good luck.