Many Black women are dealing with the issues associated with fibroids daily. People may talk about certain symptoms of the illness but constipation doesn’t get mentioned as often as it should. It’s one of those problems that can add to the overall discomfort of having fibroids while affecting the overall digestive system. Fortunately, you can do something about it.
Why Fibroids Cause Constipation
The first thing you should know is that not all kinds of fibroids cause constipation. There are different types of fibroids and only the ones that are located in a certain position will have that impact.
Subserosal fibroids are on the outside of the uterus and can place pressure on the rectum if they are at the back of the reproductive system. As a result of this pressure, you can experience varying levels of constipation. As the fibroids get larger, your symptoms are likely to worsen.
Larger fibroids might not only impact your bowel movements but can also cause pain. All these changes should be brought to your doctor’s attention. As an aside, the iron tablets that many women take to combat anemia can also cause constipation.
Tips For Easing The Discomfort
Since the severity of your constipation will be influenced by the state of the fibroids, most tips for alleviating the irregular bowel movements address the growths.
One suggestion is changing up your eating habits to remove foods that
encourage inflammation in the body. This includes refined foods such as white rice, white bread, baked goods, soda, potato chips, and high-sugar drinks.
Whole grains, fruits, vegetables, lentils, beans, and brown rice have been shown to reduce inflammation and encourage digestive health. Foods that are high in fiber can also help with bowel movements.
READ: Should You Be Trying An Anti-Inflammatory Diet?
When To Get Your Doctor Involved
Natural remedies for constipation may help temporarily but it’s important to note that you still need to address the root cause of the problem. Chronic constipation could be a sign that your fibroids are getting larger and need to be assessed. This is especially true if the other symptoms have gotten worse or you notice new ones.
Even if the remedies you’ve tried are working, it’s best to let the doctor know what’s going on so they can anticipate making changes to your treatment program.
Fibroids can affect different aspects of your health and irregular bowel movements can be one of them. It’s possible to make things more manageable with a few natural or homemade remedies but it’s a good idea to keep your doctor informed of what’s happening.
Not only can they help with getting rid of constipation but they can also make a note of it if it’s a sign that your fibroids need a different treatment.