Fibroids and weight gain
Unexpected weight gain can be concerning, especially when no significant changes in diet or lifestyle can explain it. For many women, uterine fibroids may be the hidden cause.
These benign tumors affect up to 80% of women and can lead to various symptoms, including weight gain. While small fibroids may not cause weight gain, larger fibroids or multiple fibroids can cause noticeable changes.
At Texas Endovascular, we understand how distressing sudden, unexplained weight gain can be. Our specialists provide leading-edge, non-surgical fibroid treatments to alleviate symptoms and help you regain control of your health.
Can fibroids cause weight gain?
Weight gain is a common symptom among women with larger fibroids or multiple fibroids. While not all fibroids cause weight changes, many women experience an increase on the scale as fibroids grow and expand the uterus.
Uterine fibroids can vary in size from as small as a seedling to as large as a watermelon, filling the space of your entire abdomen. Your uterus grows to accommodate them as they grow, similar to how it would in pregnancy.
When they are small or first developing, fibroids shouldn’t make you gain weight. In fact, you probably won’t even know they are there. When they are left to grow large, changes start to happen.
First, they can make your stomach stick out, even without adding pounds on the scale, because your uterus expands to accommodate fibroid growth.
Fibroid belly swelling can also leave you feeling bloated and put pressure on your digestive system, making it more difficult to pass a bowel movement. The enlarged uterus can also press on your bladder, making it difficult to empty and even causing swelling in your kidneys.
Altogether, these factors will make you look heavier than you are and may cause the scale to tick up a few notches, even when your diet and exercise plan remains unchanged.
How do fibroids cause weight gain?
Patients often have other questions aside from “Do fibroids make you gain weight?” They also want to know how fibroids cause weight gain.
One way is the size of the fibroids themselves. Large fibroids can weigh several pounds and push against other organs in the abdominal cavity.
Hormonal changes from fibroids are another way. Fibroid development is closely linked to hormonal fluctuations. Estrogen and progesterone influence fibroid growth. When these hormones fluctuate, symptoms like weight gain, bloating and increased appetite can occur.
In addition to hormones and fibroid growth itself, other symptoms can indirectly lead to weight gain, including:
- Abdominal bloating and distension
- Constipation due to pressure on the bowels
- Fluid retention
- Fatigue and discomfort, leading to reduced physical activity
- Increased stress and hormonal fluctuations, which affect eating habits
A wealth of treatment options for uterine fibroids and weight gain
A fibroid specialist can assess your condition and recommend the best treatment options for fibroid growth and symptoms.
In many cases, uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) is a highly effective, minimally invasive treatment for women. It targets fibroids by cutting off their blood supply. The procedure works by:
- Inserting a catheter into the uterine artery.
- Injecting small particles to block blood flow to the fibroids.
- Causing the fibroids to shrink and symptoms to subside.
UFE has been shown to relieve symptoms such as weight gain, bloating, heavy periods and pelvic pain. Unlike surgery, UFE requires no large incisions and offers a faster recovery time.
Effective fibroid treatment to help you find relief
At Texas Endovascular, we recognize the negative impact of rapid and unexplained weight gain on your physical and emotional health.
You don’t have to live with a protruding abdomen due to fibroid size and weight gain, though. Effective non-surgical treatment for fibroid symptoms is available.
To learn more or schedule a consultation at one of our convenient locations, contact us today.
