Recommended Exercises for Women with Uterine Fibroids

Excess Weight Increases The Risk Of Uterine Fibroids

Weight gain combined with inactivity and stress is a common risk factor for the development and growth of uterine fibroids. Physical activity helps balance the body by regulating weight, metabolism, and hormonal levels, it also reduces stress and often improves fibroid symptoms.

Can Losing Weight Shrink Fibroids?

Fibroids are exacerbated by estrogen and excess fat produces excess estrogen. Reducing the amount of excess fat on the body also lessens the risk of fibroids and may even cause them to shrink. Losing weight will not eliminate fibroids but it may lessen the symptoms associated with uterine fibroids.

1. Fibroids Can Cause Fatigue

The first way fibroids can interfere with a woman’s desire to exercise is when they cause a condition called iron deficiency anemia. This is in addition to the heavy menstrual bleeding that many patients suffer from. The significantly decreased iron levels resulting from the anemia will leave women weak and chronically fatigued. This will limit or completely impede any exercise; often leading to weight gain.

2. Exercising With Fibroids Can Cause Discomfort or Pain

If the fibroids are large enough, certain exercises, e.g. sit-ups, abdominal crunches, or medicine ball exercises, may not be able to be performed due to pain and sensitivity created when the anterior abdominal wall is pressed on.

3. Trying to Exercise With Fibroids Can Cause Discouragement

Fibroids often drain a woman’s body of energy. Women may tire easily while trying to exercise and just give up.

Fibroids are firm tumors. When they are located in the front of the uterus, the patient may be able to feel them as they are as hard as rocks. They may cause a belly pooch and even give the appearance of pregnancy. If despite all her efforts she finds it impossible to have a flat stomach with fibroids, she may become discouraged and discontinue the exercise.

Why Some Exercises Are NOT Recommended For Uterine Myomas?

Typically, exercises that require intense physical activity are not normally recommended when a woman has uterine fibroids as these can cause:

• Pain and pressure;
• Fibroid growth – we know that fibroids need a blood supply to grow and thrive and while performing certain exercises, blood flow to fibroids can significantly increase and result in fibroid growth which is the opposite of what is intended;
• Increased fatigue – symptoms of fibroids can already deplete a woman’s body of strength and energy so intense exercise routines may be too much of an added strain.

Exercises to Avoid If You Have Fibroids

1. Heavy lifting – fibroids and heavy lifting are not a good combination as it can push a concentration of blood flow to the abdomen;
2. HIIT training or high-intensity interval training;
3. CrossFit;
4. Exercise with weights depending on your doctor’s recommendations;
5. Athletes with uterine fibroids should consult a doctor before beginning professional sports training.

Exercises That Can Help Women With Fibroid Pain Relief

Fibroid symptoms can cause extreme discomfort and eliminating the fibroids is the only way to find true fibroid pain relief. In the interim, some women prefer to use natural remedies such as exercising or stretching to find relief from fibroid pain. Performing some of the following exercises or using yoga for fibroids may help temporarily alleviate some of the discomforts you are experiencing.

1. Daily morning exercises, e.g. turns, bends, flexion-extension of the arms, legs, etc., performed at a slow pace;
2. Water aerobics and swimming;
3. Easy jogging, walking, and training on a stationary bike or treadmill at a slow pace;
4. Breathing exercises. They can help with weight loss and reduce stress;
5. Pilates – one of the best types of physical activity that strengthens muscles without over-stressing the body;
6. Yoga – Yoga does not have the ability to shrink fibroids like the myth you may have heard, however, it can help manage some of the symptoms associated with fibroids. When using yoga for fibroids, ensure you find stretches, poses, and positions that do not add to the pelvic pain and pressure you may already be dealing with. There are many online resources available and yoga sessions designed just for women with fibroids. Search for “Yoga for Fibroids”.
7. Cardio exercises can be a good choice as they help lose extra weight and strengthen your immune system;
8. Physical therapy when necessary due to other health conditions – light exercises performed under the supervision of a trained medical professional.