Today is World Mental Health Day. It is the perfect time to place the focus on how mental and physical health can be significantly affected by something unpredictable and unpreventable — fibroids. Fibroids not only affect women physically, but can wreak havoc on mental and emotional health.
The physical symptoms associated with fibroids include heavy bleeding between and during menstruation, painful or prolonged periods, swollen abdomen, difficulty getting pregnant, frequent urination, and constipation. Yet, in some cases, there are no symptoms at all.
How Does This Connect to Mental Health?
Given the severity of the symptoms, it is possible, even likely, that the symptoms of fibroids can quickly lead to emotional trauma, depression and anxiety. Symptoms of depression, such as a low mood, a feeling of hopelessness, crying, decreased or increased appetite, and loss of interest in activities previously found pleasurable can develop in women diagnosed with fibroids.
Women suffering from fibroids can also be predisposed to restlessness, irritability, and sleep disturbances because of fear of the symptoms of fibroids and their consequences, such as miscarriages, extensive bleeding causing accidents, or having to have major surgery. The emotional trauma, distress and anxiety women experience as a result may overwhelm the situation.
Treatments
There are many treatment options for fibroids. Medication can be used to relieve the symptoms and even shrink them temporarily. There is also a procedure, called UFE, that can decrease the blood supply to them; therefore, causing them to shrink. There are also several surgical options. Therapy can help women to cope with the emotional and mental stressors associated with a fibroids’ diagnosis, as well as fibroid symptoms. Women should ask their doctor to refer them to a therapist they trust.
Also engaging in activities that can reduce your stress, such as meditation, exercise when possible, find time for yourself, can help. Regular exercise has anti-inflammatory effects, as well as releasing chemicals that produce a positive effect on mental health.
Talking about the situation helps. Discuss how you are feeling with friends and family who know about your situation. And if you do not feel like talking, writing in a journal can help you process and cope.
