Did you know that 37.3 million Americans—about 1 in 10—have diabetes which can lead to other health conditions? Each year, the National Diabetes Association has a November campaign geared to increase awareness about early warning signs. If you have diabetes, you might wonder if this puts you more at risk for developing uterine fibroids.
Several studies have explored the potential link between insulin resistance, a condition where your pancreas isn’t processing blood glucose sugar levels correctly, metabolic syndrome, and uterine fibroids.1
Metabolic syndrome includes factors such as
Increased blood pressure
High blood sugar
Excess body fat around the waist
High cholesterol or triglyceride levels
Although uterine fibroids are not in this group, women with diabetes may be predisposed to fibroid disease.
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder in which your body either doesn’t produce insulin, type 1, or your body is resistant to insulin, type 2. Insulin is one of the naturally occurring hormones secreted by your pancreas. Insulin allows your body to metabolize glucose into energy. When your body does not have enough insulin or doesn’t respond to the insulin it does produce; the result is high blood sugar or hyperglycemia.
Sustained hyperglycemia can lead to health issues such as degraded sight, kidney failure, and venous insufficiency. People with diabetes are also more at risk for skin ulcers and amputation of the limbs.
What Are Fibroids?
Uterine fibroids, also known as leiomyomas, are non-cancerous tumors that are made up of smooth muscle cells and fibroid connective tissue. These growths develop within the uterine wall or on its exterior. They range in size from microscopic and can grow to be as large as a melon. The tumors can present in clusters, individual growths of varying sizes, or as a singular tumor.
It’s important to know the symptoms that indicate you might have fibroids, as many women are unaware that these signs may mean something is wrong.
Uterine fibroids, also known as leiomyomas, are non-cancerous tumors that are made up of smooth muscle cells and fibroid connective tissue. These growths develop within the uterine wall or on its exterior. They range in size from microscopic and can grow to be as large as a melon. The tumors can present in clusters, individual growths of varying sizes, or as a singular tumor.
It’s important to know the symptoms that indicate you might have fibroids, as many women are unaware that these signs may mean something is wrong.
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