Some of causes of hair loss are well known. But what many women do not realize is that uterine fibroids are on that list.
According to the New York Times, up to 40 percent of women older than 35 have symptoms of fibroids. These symptoms can include heavy periods and anemia, which lead to the decreased oxygenation of the blood. This, in turn causes dry, brittle hair and hair loss.
How does hair loss differ from losing a few hairs in the shower?
Everyone loses hair occasionally — just look at your shower drain or your hair brush. The difference between this normal shedding of hair and clinical hair loss is the amount lost. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, hair loss means losing more than about 100 or 150 hairs a day. (Regular shedding of hair generally only leads to the loss of 50 to 100 strands of hair.)
If you’ve got fibroids, signs of related hair loss include changes in texture, thinning, and bald spots.
Here’s what can be done to help you stay on top of uterine fibroids, and any hair loss they may be causing:
Know your risk.
Knowing your risk can help you to pay more attention to any symptoms of fibroids you may be having and help you to catch the problem before it can cause further issues (such as hair loss).
Women who have a family history of uterine fibroids are at a bigger risk of developing fibroids themselves. In addition, African American women face a far greater risk of fibroids (and tend to develop them younger) than do white women. Other risk factors? Obesity and high blood pressure.
Talk to your doctor.
If you have symptoms of hair loss, talk to your doctor or dermatologist. Need a specialist? Consult the list maintained by the National Alopecia Areata Foundation.
In order to catch and manage the fibroids in the uterus that may contribute to hair loss, get your annual checkup from your gynecologist. They can often feel the fibroids during the pelvic exam. They can also order tests such as ultrasounds to confirm the presence or absence of uterine fibroids.
The earlier you discuss fibroids and hair loss with your doctors, the better your treatment options are.
Get treated.
If you do have uterine fibroids, you may be able to control the symptoms with lifestyle changes such as eating healthy, losing weight and exercising.
While fibroids can grow back as long as you are menstruating, prompt treatment can greatly improve your quality of life and prevent problems such as hair loss. Your doctors can serve as valuable sources of information and treatment as you deal with fibroids and any hair loss (or other symptoms) that they cause.
Consider VIVA EVE: The Fibroid Experts
If your symptoms of fibroids are severe, you may need to consider treatment. The doctors at Viva Eve have years of experience in the diagnosis and treatment of both uterine fibroids and adenomyosis. They are specialists in uterine fibroid embolization (UFE).
At Viva Eve we are committed to providing high-quality, personalized care for each and every patient we see. We will partner with you to determine the best way to treat your problematic fibroids or adenomyosis symptoms.
