Fibroids and Spotting

 

From "The Shining" by Stephen King and Stanley Kubrick 

If you have fibroids, then you likely already know how damn easy it is for them to start a spontaneous bleed!  Of course, the most common cause of heavy fibroid bleeding is menstruation... as blood flows to the uterus to become part of the lining which eventually sheds, blood flows to and through the fibroids, like a funnel!  

Since there is no real way of stopping this externally (aside from taking lots of tranexamic acid medication), it can become life threatening if not properly treated!  At the very least, it will certainly cause anemia from loss of iron.  

Fibroids, as they grow, develop their own blood vessels for nourishment... like something out of a Hollywood horror movie! 

Image belongs to www.jvir.org

Other examples of what causes spotting/bleeding from fibroids:

• Overexertion; exercising too hard, lifting something too heavy, etc.
• Emotional stress, as it can cause high blood pressure.
• Poor diet, specifically consumption of too much caffeine, which can cause high blood pressure.  Try a variety of (non-alcohol) beverages for relaxation. 
• Aggressive sex, either with a partner or toy.  If you have fibroids and they're prone to bleeding, try to steer clear of vibrating sex toys.  If intercourse causes bleeding, ask your partner for clitoral stimulation instead. 
• Heat - whether it's a hot tub, a hot bubble bath or using a heating pad for cramping, heat increases blood flow and can cause you to literally need a transfusion - I came damn close a couple years ago when using Icy Hot pain relief patches and had to go to the ER for bleeding from it. 
• Other health issue, such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension or something that can cause issues with circulation in your body. 

To avoid bleeding, at least until you've had your hysterectomy or other fibroid treatment, keep yourself calm, hydrated, well-rested and be careful with your limitations.  If you know what triggers your spotting (which is bleeding during a time that's not your actual period), then don't do that thing.  And please, see your gynecologist pronto 🩸

 

Make sure to get checked out!