Sondra E. Z. Hines, AILT, is an adjunct professor of health & wellness and is certified to teach group fitness exercise and Zumba. Wednesday Wellness - Fitness News You Can Use is published weekly. Email: sondraezhines@yahoo.com.

Two new studies in the New England Journal of Medicine conclude that Ella, the “morning-after” pill works as well as Lupron, (a drug used to treat endometriosis, uterine fibroids, or other female hormone-related problems), in treating fibroid-linked uterine bleeding, with less risk of hot flashes.

Further, says the study, Ella may also shrink fibroids, providing a non-surgical alternative.

Primarily used as an emergency contraceptive to prevent pregnancy when taken within five days of unprotected sex, Ella lowers levels of the hormone progesterone, which feeds fibroids. The study was conducted by researchers from the Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc Catholic University of Louvain, in Brussels.

This research resonates with me. In 2009, during a routine physical, I was informed that I have uterine leiomyomas, or fibroids — benign overgrowths in the muscle layer of the uterus. Fibroids are common and present in at least one–quarter of women by age 40. Despite the familiarity of this condition, women don’t have many options outside of surgery.

"Clearly women with fibroids need more alternatives to hysterectomy, especially as they pursue educations and working and not having children until after they have developed fibroids," said Dr. Elizabeth Stewart, a reproductive endocrinologist at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, who wrote an editorial accompanying the new studies. "Surgical solutions are not ideal, so we need more medical treatments. This study suggested that these drugs work equivalently to our standard medical treatment for fibroids, and what I am hoping is that future studies will confirm this. Women could then take a drug like this for three months and then come off."

Although a woman’s risk factors for fibroids are similar, they affect women of color differently:

• Ethnicity — African American women are roughly three times more likely to have fibroids compared with white women, and often have more severe disease at a younger age.

• Age — Fibroids occur during the reproductive years, most commonly during the fourth and fifth decades of life. They do not occur in prepubescent girls and usually shrink at menopause.

• Genetics — Twins have a greater risk of fibroids when one twin is affected.

• Pregnancy — Women who have given birth appear to have a decreased risk of fibroids.

Luckily my fibroids have not caused symptoms reported by many women: uterine bleeding, (resulting in heavy menstrual flow), abdominal tenderness, dysmenorrheal (painful periods), constipation and dyspareunia (painful coitus).

My doctor recommends I bypass surgical removal unless they become bothersome. This is an alternative that works for me. The study offers an option that I’m sure many women, including myself may explore.

Health Headlines

• Free Health Seminar: Throughout the month of February, several events are held to highlight heart disease. Here is one more worth checking out. CMC Northeast will hold a seminar “Understanding the heart of a woman,” an evening to discuss prevention of heart disease, (the number one killer of women). The event will be held Tuesday Feb. 21, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Complimentary appetizers will be served. Space is limited and reservations are required by calling 704-403-1275.

• Congratulations CPCC: Central Piedmont Community College earned the designation of a Fit-Friendly Company by the American Heart Association due to efforts encouraging a healthy lifestyle in the workplace. CPCC was the first organization in Charlotte and the first community college nationwide to receive this award. The college’s BeWell Program is an initiative providing staff members with opportunities to make healthy lifestyle choices, including free weekly exercises classes.

• Quick Cure for Mouth Sores: “The People’s Pharmacy” reports that eating kiwi cures annoying mouth sores, (also referred to as canker sores and mouth ulcers). “We still don't know why kiwi can help mouth ulcers, but it is simple and safe enough to try,” says the website.

• Happy Anniversary: It’s no secret that First Lady Michelle Obama is fit. The First Lady can also dance. To celebrate the second anniversary of her Let’s Move! Campaign, she busted a move with an arena full of kids. Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2099033/Why-doesnt-Michelle-Obama-just-join-cast-Glee-First-Lady-leads-14-000-dance-celebrate-Lets-Move-campaign.html

This Week's Fit Tip:

During the month of February, Presbyterian Novant Heart & Wellness Center is offering free one-on-one heart risk assessments, including cholesterol level and blood pressure checks, as well as personal consultations on how to reduce your risk of developing heart disease. Call 704-384-2273 to schedule a free screening.

Until, next time, I wish you good health and wellness!

For more health/fitness-related tales, tips, testimonials and more, visit Qcitymetro's Health page: www.qcitymetro.com/health.

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