You have probably heard fibroids described as benign tumors of the uterus. A red flag probably went off in your head over the word “tumor” because we most commonly associate tumors with cancer. The important thing you need to know about this description is the definition of the word benign, which means “not cancerous’. This means that fibroids are merely extra tissue that grows in your uterus, but are not capable of spreading to other systems or invading other tissue. Although fibroids can cause some debilitating symptoms, they are rarely as life threatening or serious to treat as cancer.

However, the media has recently been flooded with reports of fibroid removal surgery causing cancer to spread. This is because on rare occasions fibroids can contain cancerous tissue, which when removed in pieces during laparoscopy, can cause it to spread. Laparoscopy is a minimally invasive surgical technique that uses a tool called a laparoscope and power morcellator to visualize tissue through a small incision and remove it by cutting it into tiny pieces. Although this procedure does reduce surgical complications, the small risk of spreading cancer has caused the FDA to issue warnings about the use of the power morcellator. However, this does not mean that fibroids cannot be treated in a minimally invasive way.

Fibroids can be treated for symptoms through uterine artery embolization, a procedure that shrinks the fibroids by cutting off their blood supply. This is a safe procedure in the rare event that fibroids do have hidden cancer. If you gynecologist suspects that the fibroid is cancerous, she may take a small piece of tissue, a biopsy, from the fibroid for testing. Fibroids that are biopsied in this way, rather than after removal through morcellation, are associated with better outcomes after cancer treatment. The important takeaway, however, is that fibroids are very rarely cancerous, and there are treatments that can avoid spreading cancer in the rare instance that they are.

For more information, please watch our recent video on Fibroid Morcellation.

Uterine fibroids are common benign tumors that develop in the uterus. Most are harmless and will typically not lead to cancer. These growths are usually seen in women in reproductive age but can appear in women of all ages. Some fibroids are asymptomatic or cause minor symptoms, while some cause prolonged bleeding, pelvic pain and back pain.

Fibroids can be connected to anxiety in multiple ways. It can be related to the thought of treatment and the fibroids themselves, or indirectly caused by fibroids the inconveniences and stressed they may cause. The symptoms of fibroids, particularly the excessive bleeding can cause stress for women who may worry about the embarrassment of blood stains. Pain during sex can cause stress in relationships, and incontinence and bladder pressure can reduce job performance.

Finally, many women note the symptoms of fibroids taking a toll on their general sense of well being. This is often manifested in feeling like they lack control over their own body. Luckily, for many women, these feelings of anxiety disappear with their symptoms after treatment. If you are experiencing anxiety due to fibroids, consider getting treatment, and try some of the techniques listed below to reduce your stress levels.

Anxiety Reduction Techniques:

1. Deep breathing: Use this technique to relieve anxiety is easy, effective and can be done anywhere. To do this, just breathe in deeply through your nose and then slowly release the air through your mouth. Repeat this deep breathing exercise as you see fit.

2. Lifestyle Changes:  Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and making healthy choices can help reduce stress. Unhealthy diets may contribute to increased anxiety. To decrease stress, eat balanced meals and don’t skip meals. Engaging in exercise is a great way to release tension, promote sleep, and release mood-boosting endorphins.

3. Develop coping mechanisms: It is a good idea to identify what is triggering your anxiety and to try to avoid those situations, or to develop coping strategies that may reduce your anxiety if the situations are unavoidable.

4. Relaxation techniques: deep breathing, massage, and engaging in relaxing, enjoyable activities can help reduce stress in your life.

5. Social support: sharing your emotions with friends and family, a support group, or even a psychologist can help.

6. Medication: If your anxiety seems to be unmanaged by other techniques and interferes with your daily life, it may be a good idea to consider medication. This can be discussed with a psychiatrist.

In the case of fibroids and anxiety, it may be that you find your anxiety lifted after fibroid treatment. Often women report feelings of depression and anxiety with their fibroids, that disappear after treatment and symptoms disappear. You can learn more about fibroid treatments available to you at fibroids.com.

http://www.healthy.net/Health/Article/Stress_Reduction_for_Relief_of_Fibroids_Endometriosis/1918