Uterine
fibroids are noncancerous growths of the uterus that often appear during
childbearing years. Also called leiomyomas (lie-o-my-O-muhs) or myomas, uterine
fibroids aren't associated with an increased risk of uterine cancer and almost
never develop into cancer.
Uterine
fibroids develop from the smooth muscular tissue of the uterus (myometrium). A
single cell divides repeatedly, eventually creating a firm, rubbery mass
distinct from nearby tissue. The growth patterns of uterine fibroids vary —
they may grow slowly or rapidly, or they may remain the same size. Some
fibroids go through growth spurts, and some may shrink on their own. Many
fibroids that have been present during pregnancy shrink or disappear after
pregnancy, as the uterus goes back to a normal size.
Fibroids
range in size from seedlings, undetectable by the human eye, to bulky masses
that can distort and enlarge the uterus. They can be single or multiple, in
extreme cases expanding the uterus so much that it reaches the rib cage.
As many as 3
out of 4 women have uterine fibroids sometime during their lives, but most are
unaware of them because they often cause no symptoms. Your doctor may discover
fibroids incidentally during a pelvic exam or prenatal ultrasound
Symptoms
In women who
have symptoms, the most common symptoms of uterine fibroids include:
·
Heavy menstrual bleeding
·
Prolonged menstrual periods — seven days or more
of menstrual bleeding
·
Pelvic pressure or pain
·
Frequent urination
·
Difficulty emptying your bladder
Rarely, a
fibroid can cause acute pain when it outgrows its blood supply. Deprived of
nutrients, the fibroid begins to die. Byproducts from a degenerating fibroid
can seep into surrounding tissue, causing pain and, rarely, fever. A fibroid
that hangs by a stalk inside or outside the uterus (pedunculated fibroid) can
trigger pain by twisting on its stalk and cutting off its blood supply.
Fibroid
location, size and number influence signs and symptoms:
·
Submucosal
fibroids. Fibroids that grow into the inner cavity of the uterus
(submucosal fibroids) are more likely to cause prolonged, heavy menstrual
bleeding and are sometimes a problem for women attempting pregnancy.
·
Subserosal
fibroids. Fibroids that project to the outside of the uterus (subserosal
fibroids) can sometimes press on your bladder, causing you to experience
urinary symptoms. If fibroids bulge from the back of your uterus, they
occasionally can press either on your rectum, causing a pressure sensation, or
on your spinal nerves, causing backache.
·
Intramural
fibroids. Some fibroids grow within the muscular uterine wall (intramural
fibroids). If large enough, they can distort the shape of the uterus and cause
prolonged, heavy periods, as well as pain and pressure.
Causes
Doctors
don't know the cause of uterine fibroids, but research and clinical experience
point to these factors:
·
Genetic
changes. Many fibroids contain changes in genes that differ from those in
normal uterine muscle cells. There's also some evidence that fibroids run in
families and that identical twins are more likely to both have fibroids than
nonidentical twins.
·
Hormones.
Estrogen and progesterone, two hormones that stimulate development of the
uterine lining during each menstrual cycle in preparation for pregnancy, appear
to promote the growth of fibroids. Fibroids contain more estrogen and
progesterone receptors than normal uterine muscle cells do. Fibroids tend to
shrink after menopause due to a decrease in hormone production.
·
Other
growth factors. Substances that help the body maintain tissues, such as
insulin-like growth factor, may affect fibroid growth.
Remedies for fibroids
1. Castor
Oil Pack
Applying a
castor oil pack on the abdomen helps stimulate the lymphatic and circulatory
systems, and increases lymphocytes (disease-fighting cells) to eliminate
disease-causing toxins from the body. Many holistic practitioners believe a
buildup of these toxins plays an important role in fibroid development.
Castor oil
also contains ricinoleic acid with anti-inflammatory properties. The following
remedy may help shrink fibroids and also aid in pain relief.
·
Saturate a piece of wool flannel in castor oil.
·
Place it on your abdomen and cover it with a
plastic wrap.
·
Place a heating pad or hot water bottle on it
and cover that with an old towel.
·
Leave it on for about one hour, and then remove
it.
·
Repeat three or four times a week for at least
one month, or until you see improvement.
Note: Do not use this remedy during
menstruation or if you are trying to conceive.
2.
Chasteberry
Chasteberry,
also known as Vitex agnus-castus, is native to southern Europe and the
Mediterranean areas. It is an excellent herbal solution to maintain hormonal
balance, lower estrogen levels and reduce inflammation. Simply take 25 to 30
drops of chasteberry tincture two to four times a day.
Note: Chasteberry will help regulate
menstruation and bleeding between periods, but may also reduce the effectiveness
of birth control pills.
3. Milk
Thistle
This herbal
remedy helps metabolize and get rid of excess estrogen. Estrogen is a
reproductive hormone that stimulates cells to release growth factors, which in
turn contributes to fibroid growth. Simply take 10 to 25 drops of a tincture of
this herb up to three times a day for three to four months.
4. Dandelion
Many
herbalists believe that poor liver function leading to poor elimination of
excess hormones contributes to fibroids. Dandelion aids in liver detoxification
and clearing excess estrogen from your body.
·
Boil three tablespoons of dandelion root in
three and one-half cups of water. Let it simmer for 15 minutes.
·
Turn off the heat, and allow it to steep for
another 15 minutes before straining it.
·
Drink this tea three times a day for at least
three months.
5. Green Tea
Studies
indicate that green tea contains a compound called Epigallocatechin gallate
(EGCG) that inhibits growth of fibroid cells, eventually increasing their death
rate.
·
EGCG offers anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative
and antioxidant effects. Researchers have found that in addition to reducing
the size of fibroids, green tea can reduce the severity of fibroid symptoms.
·
Drink two or three cups of green tea or take two
400 mg green tea capsules daily for several months.
6. Milk
In a study
published in the American Journal of Epidemiology in 2009, researchers at the
Boston University School of Medicine found that black women who consumed four
or more dairy servings a day had a 30 percent reduced incidence of uterine
fibroids compared to those who consumed less than one serving a day.
Although the
exact mechanism for this is not known, researchers believe that the calcium in
dairy may help reduce cell proliferation. So, include more milk and dairy
products in your daily diet
·
You can also combine milk with blackstrap
molasses that, being rich in iron and other nutrients, helps combat anemia that
may result from heavy bleeding due to fibroids. Though not proven
scientifically, blackstrap molasses is also believed to help shrink fibroids.
·
Mix one or two tablespoons of blackstrap
molasses in three-quarters cup of warm milk.
·
Drink it once or twice a day on a regular basis,
or at least for several months.
7. Burdock
Root Tea
Burdock root
improves the liver’s ability to metabolize estrogen, thereby reducing fibroids.
Plus, being high in the lignan arctigenin, it can help reduce the size of
fibroids and inhibit new tumor growth.
·
Add one teaspoon of dried burdock root to a cup
of hot water. Let it steep for 10 to 15 minutes, and then strain it. Drink this
tea three times a day.
·
Alternatively, you can take 10 to 25 drops of
burdock root tincture three times per day.
Continue
either of these remedies daily for three to four months.
8. Apple
Cider Vinegar
Apple cider
vinegar can be helpful in reducing fibroid symptoms because it helps remove
toxins from the body and promotes fat loss. Though not proven scientifically,
it is believed to help shrink fibroid tumors too.
·
Add one teaspoon of organic apple cider vinegar
to a glass of water.
·
You can also add one tablespoon of blackstrap
molasses or some natural sweetener for taste.
·
Drink it daily on a regular basis. Gradually
increase the dosage of apple cider vinegar from one teaspoon to one or two
tablespoons per glass.
REMEMBER
See your
doctor if you have:
·
Pelvic pain that doesn't go away
·
Overly heavy or painful periods
·
Spotting or bleeding between periods
·
Pain consistently with intercourse
·
Enlarged uterus and abdomen
·
Difficulty emptying your bladder
Seek prompt
medical care if you have severe vaginal bleeding or sharp pelvic pain that
comes on suddenly.