5 Facts About Birth Control Pills and Fibroids
- Created: January 26, 2016
- by: Leah Johnson
Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous tumors that grow on or around the uterus. There are several different types of fibroids, such as subserosal, intramural, and submucosal. These different types are defined primarily by where they grow in the uterus. Fibroids can be very painful and can cause a variety of symptoms. Many women, however, don’t even know they have them. It is not known exactly what causes these tumors but most doctors believe they can be affected by estrogen and often develop and grow during pregnancy. There are also many questions surrounding the use of birth control pills when a woman has fibroids. The following are the top 5 facts you should know about the relationship between birth control pills and fibroids.
Menstrual Flow Will Likely Decrease
Fibroids can increase the heaviness of the menstrual flow. Using birth control pills, however, normally decreases monthly flow. This happens because the estrogen in birth control pills can increase clotting in the blood and thus reduce the overall flow.
Cramping May Be Reduced
One of the primary side-effects of fibroids can be cramping. Cramps can range from mild to severe when a woman has fibroids. Birth control pills can help decrease the amount of prostagladins, which are chemicals that make the uterus contract. Fewer contractions throughout the uterus will reduce overall cramping.
Fibroids Can Increase in Size
In some cases fibroids can increase the heaviness of the menstrual flow. While taking birth control pills can reduce the heavy flow, they will not reduce the size of the fibroids. In fact, birth control pills may cause the fibroids to grow larger. Fibroids are very responsive to hormones such as estrogen and progesterone.
Low Dose Birth Control May Help
While certain types of birth control can cause uterine fibroids to grow larger, a low-dose may not cause this kind of growth. It is generally believed that most low-dose types of birth control do not produce enough estrogen to cause fibroids to grow.
Birth Control Can Help Prevent Fibroids
Those who already have fibroids and start taking birth control pills with higher doses of estrogen may experience increased growth of those fibroids. However, those who don’t already have uterine fibroids may have a smaller chance of developing them when taking birth control, especially pills that contain low-dose estrogen.
There are several treatment options available for those suffering from uterine fibroids. Fibroid embolization is a non-invasive treatment that has already provided relief for thousands of women. The medical professionals at the Fibroid Treatment Collective have vast experience and expertise in curing fibroids with minimally invasive treatment. For a free consultation contact the Fibroid Treatment Collective.