Uterine Fibroids

Uterine fibroids are benign smooth-muscle growths of the uterus, present in a majority of women by age 50 though often without symptoms. When they do cause problems, the pattern depends on position and size: submucosal fibroids distorting the cavity cause heavy or prolonged bleeding and can affect fertility and implantation, while large intramural or subserosal fibroids cause pelvic pressure, bloating, urinary frequency and back pain. They are oestrogen and progesterone responsive, which is why they typically grow during reproductive years and shrink after menopause. Medical options range from tranexamic acid and hormonal treatments for bleeding to GnRH analogues, uterine artery embolisation, myomectomy and hysterectomy depending on symptoms and fertility plans. The nutritional issue that matters most is iron. Chronic heavy menstrual bleeding is a leading cause of iron deficiency and iron deficiency anaemia, and fatigue attributed to fibroids is frequently iron related and correctable - ferritin should be checked rather than assumed. Vitamin D deficiency is associated with fibroid presence in observational data, and small trials suggest correction may slow growth, though the evidence is preliminary. Green tea extract has one small trial with positive results; it also carries a recognised liver injury signal at high doses.