• Common non-cancerous growth(s) in the smooth muscle of uterus
• Symptoms may include abnormal menstrual bleeding, lower abdominal pain and urinary difficulty
• Cause unknown
• Cannot be spread from person to person
• Affects females only
• Can occur at any age but more common in middle age
• Commonly disappears after menopause
• Typically, mild but may cause complications during pregnancy

• Apply heat to abdomen
• Elevate your legs on a pillow
• For lower back pain, lay on side with knees to chest
• Avoid using tampons
• Exercise regularly

FOR ANEMIA

• Increase amount of iron in your diet with red meat, shellfish, eggs, beans, and green leafy vegetables
• Over-the-counter medicine (refer to manufacturer’s recommendation for dosage)
  • Ferrous sulfate
  • Multivitamin with iron

FOR CONSTIPATION

• Eat more fiber (1 tablespoon of raw bran with plenty of water at each meal)
• Increase exercise (30 minutes per day)
• Drink plenty of fluids (especially water)
• Over-the-counter laxative medicines (refer to manufacturer’s recommendations for dosage):
  • Bulk forming laxatives
  • Stool softeners (emollient laxatives)
  • Lubricant laxatives
  • Stimulant laxatives
  • Saline laxatives
  • Enemas and suppositories

FOR PAIN

• Relaxation techniques
• Distraction
• Over-the-counter medicine (refer to manufacturer’s recommendations for dosage):
  • Acetaminophen
  • Ibuprofen