What Are Uterine Fibroids?

Fibroids are benign growths of muscle tissue in the uterus. They are very common among women from age 30 until menopause. At menopause, decreasing hormone levels cause the fibroids to shrink. Many women have asymptomatic fibroids, and the severity of symptoms does not correlate with the number or size of the fibroids.

What Causes Uterine Fibroids?

Fibroids grow when high estrogen levels stimulate them. Anything that increases estrogen can worsen fibroids. For example, oral contraceptives, pregnancy, high stress levels, a diet high in meat, a diet high in saturated fat and obesity can stimulate fibroids.

Key Symptoms of Uterine Fibroids

Symptoms of fibroids include:

  • Heavy menstrual bleeding
  • Menstrual cramps
  • Abdominal bloating
  • Spotting between periods
  • Anemia
  • Pain during intercourse
  • Constipation
  • Bladder irritation

How Can I Treat Uterine Fibroids?

Conventional Treatment Options

Conventional treatment is only recommended if the fibroids are large or the symptoms are severe. Several different techniques can be used to remove the fibroids, but unless estrogen levels decrease, there is a 50 percent chance that they will return. Natural therapies are aimed at decreasing estrogen levels to shrink fibroids and prevent their recurrence.

Natural Treatment Options

Two important organs tasked with processing and regulating hormones are the liver and the bowels. Our bowels are responsible for removing excess hormones – so to optimize the bowels and liver's functioning, it’s important to cleanse and detoxify regularly. Another option is to apply castor oil packs to the abdomen on alternating days so as to ease fibroid symptoms and increase hormone processing.

You can also minimize estrogen through diet. Limit red meat, chicken, and dairy products, as well as coffee, black tea, chocolate, and cola, the latter of which contain methylxanthines and promote fibroid growth.

Foods that should be eaten include soy products. Soy contains plant estrogens that help to balance estrogen levels. Foods rich in vitamin K should also be eaten to reduce excess bleeding. These foods include leafy greens and seaweeds. Use essential fatty acids, found in flax, walnut and pumpkin seed oil, because they are anti-inflammatory and decrease cramping.