What Are Fibroids?
Fibroids, also known as uterine fibroids, are growths that develop in the muscle walls of a woman's uterus. The tumors are typically benign and affect some 20 to 45 percent of all women at different stages of their lives. Once women reach their thirties, they are more prone to fibroid growths. As a woman ages and her body enters menopause, it is less likely to develop or maintain currently existing fibroids.
Fibroids are known to cause discomfort in women, especially women who are pregnant. Symptoms can include pain in the back and upper groin, vaginal bleeding and digestive issues. Fibroids have been known to cause infertility in women as well.
What is Phytosterol?
The term "phytosterol" refers to a collection of steroids which develop in nature in plant life. Plants which create phytosterol include soybeans and corn. The chemical can be found in the oil extracted from vegetables. Phytosterol can be found and used as dietary supplements, in alcohol and in cosmetics and medical supplies to aid in high cholesterol.
Phytosterol's Effect on Fibroids
There is a type of phytosterol known as Diindolymethane, or DIM. It is found in cruciferous vegetables, edible plants from the Brassicaceae family. This class includes cabbage, brussel sprouts and broccoli. DIM has been shown to promote the body towards hormonal balance and the production of estrogen. Hormone balancing and estrogen can aid in regulating menstrual bleeding and pressure within the pelvis and uterus. These effects can shrink uterine fibroids.
Tags: known cause, uterine fibroids