FIBROIDS Do cause hair loss?

written by The Health Palette editors

As many of us know, fibroids affect black women in significantly higher portions than other races and according to the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence fibroids occur in over 80% of black women up to the age of 50

Fibroids are non-cancerous tumours that affect the womb Fibroids most commonly affect women of reproductive age therefore their development is likely due to hormones such as oestrogen and progesterone Whilst there are many schools of thought about reasons why fibroids affect black women more than others such as the types of food we eat or the use of relaxers in childhood, the exact cause is still unknown

Fibroids cause symptoms such as heavy periods painful periods, tummy bloating, tummy pain, lower back pain, needing to urinate frequently, constipation and pain during sex Interestingly, fibroids may also cause hair loss

We asked Dr Gabi, Black Woman's Health Doctor and Family Medicine Specialist, about the relationship between fibroids and hair “Fibroids can cause heavy menstrual bleeding, which can lower our blood levels leading to anaemia or iron deficiency Anaemia is a condition where the body does not have enough red blood cells or haemoglobin (a protein containing iron) Haemaglobin carries oxygen for the growth and repair of cells in the body, including the cells that stimulate hair growth When the body doesn’t have enough iron it can’t make enough haemoglobin Therefore when iron levels are low people may experience hair loss”

If you are experiencing symptoms of fibroids, please seek medical advice and don’t be afraid to ask your general practitioner (GP) for a referral to a gynaecology specialist To prevent low iron levels and possible hair loss, make sure to keep your iron levels high through what you eat (for example fish spinach legumes quinoa turkey and dark chocolate) or with over the counter iron supplements if needed