Fibroid: Expert Urges Women To Consume Foods High In Vitamin D

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

Igboeli, the Managing Director of a fertility and IVF centre in Abuja, gave the advice in an interview on Wednesday 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

Fibroids, which cause remained unknown, could also cause heavy periods but in some cases, they cause no signs or symptoms at all. The growths typically benign, or noncancerous.

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.

He advised women to eat foods, fruits and vegetables that contain calcium.

He explained that “vitamin D deficiency is connected to fibroid formation. We have taken serial measurement of vitamin D in patients and found out that a lot of black women suffering from fibroid also have vitamin D deficiency.”

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.”