Unraveling the Surprising Connection Between Fibroids and Weight Changes

Uterine fibroids are a common gynecological condition, affecting a significant percentage of women, especially during their reproductive years. It’s a fairly common question: Can fibroids make you gain weight? Since uterine fibroids affect between 20 to 80 percent of women by the time they reach their 50s, one would think this topic would be more often talked about. These non-cancerous tumors that appear in or on the uterine walls can vary widely in size, number, and location, potentially leading to various disruptive symptoms. The relationship between fibroids and weight is complex, often misunderstood, and a frequent concern for women affected by this condition. Many women notice changes in their body weight and wonder whether fibroids could be a contributing factor. This article aims to explore the potential impact of fibroids on weight, examining the physical effects and how they can alter a woman’s overall well-being.

Understanding Fibroids

To better understand this connection, it is important to delve into what fibroids are, how they develop, and the most common symptoms associated with them. Uterine fibroids, also known as uterine leiomyomas in the medical world, are noncancerous growths that can develop in a woman’s uterus during her childbearing years. They are typically more common in women in their 30s or older. They are also more common among African American women. These growths can vary in size, from being so small they’re only visible under a microscope to large masses that can distort and enlarge the uterus. A large fibroid cluster can measure to more than eight inches in diameter or larger, which is about the size of a small watermelon. Despite their potentially alarming size, it’s important to note that fibroids are benign, meaning that they are not cancerous. Also, there is less-than 1 out of 1,000 chance of a fibroid being leiomyosarcoma, or cancerous.

Types of Fibroids

Fibroids are categorised based on their location within the uterus, and each type can affect the body differently:

Subserosal Fibroids: These form outside the uterus and sometimes extend into the pelvis. They typically do not affect menstrual flow but can cause pain if they grow large and press on other organs.
Intramural Fibroids: The most common type, these fibroids grow inside of the wall of the uterus. They can expand the uterus and can sometimes cause heavy menstrual bleeding or prolonged periods.
Submucosal Fibroids: These are the least common but can be the most problematic. They develop in the muscle beneath the inner lining of the uterus and can cause heavy menstrual bleeding and trouble conceiving.

Common Symptoms

While many women with fibroids experience no symptoms at all, those who do may face a range of issues that can affect their quality of life. Common symptoms include:

Heavy or painful periods
Feeling of fullness in the lower abdomen
Frequent urination
Pain during intercourse
Lower back pain

Symptoms requiring immediate medical attention include:

Read also: Diet and Uterine Fibroids

Severe abdominal pain
Excessively heavy or prolonged menstrual periods
Any changes that disrupt your daily life

Fibroids can happen alongside or be confused for endometriosis. Also, fibroids frequently cause anemia for women who experience heavy bleeding as a side effect, as well as general lethargy.

Direct Impact of Fibroids on Weight

One of the direct ways fibroids can affect body weight is through their sheer mass. Large fibroids are dense, muscular tumours that can be heavy, weighing anywhere from a few grams to few kilograms. Very large uterine fibroids can weigh several pounds or even push on other organs. Thus, women with sizable fibroids may see an increase in weight on the scale. Often, women experience more than one fibroid. This weight is physical and tangible; it’s not just about feeling heavier, but rather being heavier due to the fibroids’ weight. Many women may experience more than one type of fibroid. Women should definitely contact their doctor if they are experiencing a bulge that resembles but isn’t pregnancy. Many women experience fibroids that are less than a pound altogether.

Perceived Weight Gain and Bloating

Apart from actual weight gain caused by the mass of the fibroids, there can also be a perceived increase in weight or body size. This is often due to the bloating associated with fibroids. Large fibroids can distort the uterus’s shape and the abdomen’s overall silhouette. This distortion may mimic the appearance of weight gain, particularly around the abdomen, leading many women to feel as if they have gained a “fibroid belly.” Bloating and swelling in the area of the fibroids can exacerbate this sense of increased body weight. The relationship between fibroids and weight loss is straightforward: the larger your fibroids grow, the heavier they get. This directly influences abdominal weight growth and can make a woman’s stomach look wider and more full. Unlike the usual weight gain, this swelling can fluctuate significantly, often worsening during menstruation when fibroids become more pronounced due to hormonal changes.

Distinguishing Between Types of Weight Gain

Understanding the difference between actual weight gain due to the physical presence of fibroids and the appearance of weight gain caused by bloating or a distorted abdomen is crucial. Actual weight gained from fibroids is the weight physically added to the body by the fibroids.

On the other hand, the appearance of weight gain, such as a protruding abdomen or increased abdominal circumference, might not affect body weight directly but can change clothing size and body shape.

Indirect Ways Fibroids Affect Health and Weight

Beyond their physical mass, fibroids affect health and weight through bloating and hormonal changes that can mimic weight gain, especially noticeable during menstrual periods.

The pain and discomfort they cause can significantly reduce physical activity, leading to a sedentary lifestyle, a known risk factor for weight gain. Moreover, heavy menstrual bleeding often leads to anaemia, draining energy levels and making it harder to stay active. Women with fibroids often experience fatigue and anaemia from excessive menstrual bleeding, which reduces their ability to perform physical activities, thereby decreasing caloric burn and promoting weight gain. Even simple activities like jogging or yoga might become too painful, especially if the fibroids are large or unfavourably positioned. This reduction in activity can inadvertently contribute to weight gain.

Chronic stress from managing fibroid symptoms can also affect body weight. Stress increases cortisol levels, which may boost appetite and cravings for high-calorie foods, adding to weight gain challenges. For some women, simply having fibroids may lead to more weight just as a symptom of a growth getting larger. Overeating happens when a patient feels anemic as a result of the heavy bleeding; they’re trying to make up for what feels like a loss of calories. Women also may feel like reducing their normal exercise, as the iron deficiency can make women feel frighteningly lightheaded, which can make exercise a far more worrisome experience. All of this complicates the question of, “Do fibroids make you gain weight?” Women can gain weight because they’re trying to manage their other symptoms.

Related Symptoms and Complications

Fibroids can cause hormonal imbalances that disrupt metabolic processes, potentially leading to unexpected weight gain or challenges in losing weight. These growths may also inhibit an active lifestyle.

Women with fibroids often experience fatigue and anaemia from excessive menstrual bleeding, which reduces their ability to perform physical activities, thereby decreasing caloric burn and promoting weight gain.

Moreover, the pain and discomfort associated with fibroids can deter physical exercise. Even simple activities like jogging or yoga might become too painful, especially if the fibroids are large or unfavourably positioned. This reduction in activity can inadvertently contribute to weight gain.

Diagnosis and Monitoring

Early and accurate diagnosis of fibroids is crucial for effective treatment and managing the various symptoms of this condition. A range of diagnostic tools can be used:

Ultrasound: Ultrasound uses sound waves to create detailed images of the uterus, helping identify the presence, size, and location of any fibroids.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): For a more comprehensive analysis, an MRI offers detailed images and is particularly valuable for differentiating fibroids from other tumours and planning treatment for more complex cases.
Saline Infusion Sonohysterography (Aqua scan): In cases of submucosal fibroids that other imaging might be inconclusive, a saline infusion sonohysterography can be used. It is an ultrasound scan when a small amount of normal saline (salt solution) inserted into the uterus that allows the lining of the uterus (endometrium) to be clearly seen. It can help to decide the best treatment option for submucosal fibroids.

Routine visits are important, as they allow healthcare providers to monitor the growth of fibroids and assess their potential impact on health, including weight.

Management and Treatment Options

A comprehensive range of treatment options exists for managing fibroids, tailored to individual health needs and lifestyle preferences. Approaches range from medication to more advanced surgical options, depending on the severity and impact of symptoms.

Medication: Often the first line of treatment, medications can effectively manage symptoms such as heavy menstrual bleeding and pelvic pain. These include hormonal treatments that help to reduce the size and symptoms of fibroids over time and non-hormonal drugs that target menstrual bleeding specifically.
Surgical Options: Surgical interventions are available for those who may need more than medication. These include:
- Myomectomy: A procedure to remove fibroids while preserving the uterus, ideal for women who wish to conceive in the future.
- Hysterectomy: The removal of the uterus is recommended when fibroids are large, symptoms are severe, or if you do not plan to have children in the future.
- Uterine Fibroid Embolisation (UFE): A minimally invasive procedure that shrinks fibroids by cutting off their blood supply.

In addition to medical treatments, lifestyle and dietary changes are crucial for managing fibroids and enhancing overall health. It’s commonly recommended to fibroid patients to try to lose weight because it can help to prevent further fibroid growth. Fat cells make more estrogen, and sudden changes in hormones can lead to fibroid growth. Having a healthy weight, good diet and regular exercise routine can help prevent them.

Lifestyle Modifications for Managing Weight with Fibroids

Given the complexities of managing weight with fibroids, adopting specific lifestyle modifications can be highly beneficial.

Dietary Adjustments: Dietary adjustments to combat anaemia can include a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins can regulate oestrogen levels and influence fibroid growth. Eat a healthy, well-rounded diet: Your fibroids diet should include a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. There are some studies that show diets rich in green leafy vegetables help to slow down fibroid growth. And limit or avoid the following: Alcohol, Trans fats in fast food and processed baked goods, Added sugars (check ingredient labels), Refined carbs like white bread and white rice, Soy-based products (think: soymilk, tofu). Red meat should be very limited as well, per the Mayo Clinic, as it may be linked to a higher risk of fibroid growth.
Exercise: Engaging in gentle exercise to improve fitness without exacerbating pain is important. The best exercise for uterine fibroids is gentle, sustained activities that don’t place too much pressure on your stomach, so activities like crunches, sit-ups and lifting heavy weights should all be avoided. Instead, focus on gentle cardiovascular exercises like sustained walking or moderate jogging, swimming or cycling. As a top tip, you need to be attentive to your pulse. There is evidence to suggest a link between the correct type of exercise and the prevention of further discomfort and fibroid growth. Aim for at least 30 minutes daily, five days a week. Choose enjoyable activities and consider finding a workout partner or trainer when safe to do so in your region.
Hydration: Ensuring adequate hydration to help mitigate bloating is beneficial.
Pain Management: Managing pain to help maintain regular activity levels is key.

The Role of Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE) in Weight Management

Uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) is a safe and effective treatment for uterine fibroids. It involves inserting a thin tube (catheter) into the femoral artery in the groin and threading it up to the uterus. Once the catheter is in place, contrast dye is injected and X-rays are taken. Then, small particles are injected into the arteries that supply blood to the fibroids. These particles block the blood flow to the fibroids, causing them to shrink. Uterine fibroid embolization is a minimally invasive procedure that can be done on an outpatient basis. First, it can shrink the fibroids. Depending on the size and amount of fibroids, this can lead to a significant amount of weight loss on its own. Second, it can help to improve symptoms such as pain and fatigue, which can lead to increased physical activity and a healthier lifestyle. If you’re struggling to lose weight, uterine fibroid embolization may be the answer you’re looking for!

Understanding the Connection Between Visceral Fat and Fibroids

Relationship between visceral fat and development of uterine fibroids in adult women was investigated. A total of 89 patients with uterine fibroids treated in the First Hospital of Hebei Medical University from April 2016 to April 2018 were enrolled. Another 81 healthy women without uterine fibroids receiving physical examination in the same period were selected as the control group. Self-designed questionnaires were used to investigate the general conditions of the subjects, bioelectrical impedance analysis was employed to analyze obesity-related indicators, and their correlation with the risk of uterine fibroids was explored. Visceral fat area (VFA), body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage, waist circumference, waist-height ratio and waist-hip ratio were positively correlated with the incidence rate of uterine fibroids, and the odds ratio (OR), 95% confidence interval (CI) was 3.910 (2.029, 7.536), 2.716 (1.444, 5.110), 4.335 (1.507, 12.469), 2.881 (1.531, 5.423), 3.837 (1.914, 7.692) and 7.707 (3.501, 16.965), respectively. VFA and body fat percentage were correlated with the size of uterine fibroids, but the correlations were relatively weak. With the increase in the VFA, BMI, waist circumference, waist-height ratio, and waist-hip ratio, the risk of uterine fibroids was elevated. The BMI, VFA and waist circumference of patients with uterine fibroids were gradually increased with increasing age, showing statistically significant differences. Increased body fat (especially abdominal visceral fat) is able to enhance the risk of uterine fibroids. For perimenopausal women, the waist-hip ratio measured can be used as an indicator screening high-risk groups of uterine fibroids. This method is simple, easy and inexpensive.

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