Fibroid: Expert urges women to consume foods high in vitamin D

A Gynaecologist, Dr Prosper Igboeli, has advised women to eat foods that contain vitamin D to avoid the formation of fibroid.

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Dr Prosper Igboeli, the Managing Director of a fertility and IVF centre in Abuja, gave the advice in an interview in Abuja.

He said fibroids are abnormal growths that develop in or on a woman’s uterus and could sometimes become quite large and cause severe abdominal pain.

Igboeli, who listed oily fish such as salmon, sardines, herring and mackerel, red meat, liver, egg yolks and fortified foods such as some fat spreads and breakfast cereals as sources of vitamin D, also listed the symptoms of fibroid to include heavy menstrual bleeding lasting more than one week, frequent urination and difficulty emptying the bladder.

According to him, fibroids can cause pelvic pressure or pain and frequent urination.

The gynaecologist also said that the estrogen and the progesterone that women make on monthly bases stimulate the vessel of the womb to transform into tumorous fibroid.

The doctor said red meat and ham have been linked to higher risk of fibroids, while green vegetables seem to protect women from developing fibroids.

He added that both young and middle-aged women could develop fibroids, noting that “for the older women, it may stop when they reach menopause.”

According to him, fibroids can run in families, noting that if a woman’s mother has fibroids, there is an increased chance that the child may also develop fibroids later in life.

Igboeli said fibroids could recur if not properly removed, including the small ones.

MTO/Vanguard