Fibroids and Lethargy

 Being lethargic... it's not the same as being lazy.  

When a person is "lazy", their mind matches their body, and neither one is motivated.  When someone is lethargic, their body cannot keep up with the energy of their mind - and that's what I've been going through for the last 2+ years...   

What causes it?   Many health issues can cause a person to be lethargic - listless, fatigued, etc. - but this post is specific to fibroids and how they contribute.  It's no secret that fibroids cause significant bleeding, both during and not during a woman's period.  This incredible loss of blood (which occurs long-term), contributes to anemia - low iron.  With little iron and oxygen in the organs and muscles, the woman with fibroids is operating on the "bare minimum" for nutrients and can benefit from:

• Taking iron supplements and eating iron-rich food
• Having bed rest during the first day or two of menstruation when it's heaviest
• Getting blood transfusions during heavy menstruation
• Avoiding the use of heat for pain
• Taking a tranexamic acid such as Cyklokapron to control bleeding
• Getting surgery to either remove the fibroids, or the whole uterus

In addition to feeling very tired from fibroid-bleeding (even with adequate hours of sleep), another incredibly common symptom of the anemia they cause, is being cold all the time. This is because the amount of blood and iron needed for warming all the muscles throughout the body, just isn't enough.  When we have the "bare minimum" of blood in our bodies, it will be focused in the torso, where our major organs need it... meaning our extremities (arms & hands, legs & feet) won't get as much.  Being small-framed makes this even worse, and if you know someone like this, please don't body-shame her 🙁 

On the bright side, often when the fibroids have been removed and the patient recovers, with proper transfusions and taking iron, the body should re-establish a healthy amount of blood and then energy levels should increase!