Little information is known about the cause of fibroids, or uterine leiomyomas, or how to prevent them. What doctors do know is fibroids are affected by both progesterone and estrogen and their presence in the uterus causes heavy bleeding and severe dysmenorrhea, or cramping.
Uterine fibroids are also one of the major causes of hysterectomy in perimenopausal women. They can grow as large as 10-12 cm in size and be quite debilitating.
Researchers in North Carolina at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences were interested in the effect exercise has on fibroid development and growth after studies found exercise lowered the risk for endometrial and breast cancer, both of which are responsive to hormones.
Nearly 1200 women were enrolled in the study. Each woman was given a questionaire that addressed exercise habits. Medical records for the women were reviewed and ultrasound screening was performed to diagnose the presence or absence of fibroids.
The results of the study were published in the January issue of the American Journal of Epidemiology.
The researchers found that women who exercised for 7 hours or more per week had a 40 percent reduction in the risk for fibroid reduction compared to those who exercised just 2 hours or less a week. Exercise had less of an impact on the growth of already established fibroids, but did slow growth slightly.
The authors were pleased with the results because of the lack of preventative measures known to be associated with fibroids and fibroid growth.
Daily exercise should be encouraged in women. It offers a multitude of health benefits, including decreased risk for fibroid development and possibly subsquent hysterectomy.
Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on March 29, 2007 12:35 PM
