Fibroids: 8 ways to control or prevent uterine fibroids - Dr. Ax (2023)

Uterine fibroids (also called uterine leiomyomas) are very common. In fact, about 75% of women experience them at some point in their lives. (1) Ranging in size from a few millimeters, or about the size of a pea, to the size of a grapefruit, fibroids are "the most common indication for major gynecologic surgery," according to a report in the journal.New England Journal of Medicine. (2) More than 200,000 hysterectomies are performed annually for severe uterine fibroids.

What are fibroids? These are non-cancerous growths on the lining of the uterus that often cause a change in the size or shape of the uterus, as well as a variety of uncomfortable symptoms. Because they usually develop within the wall of the uterus, they are also called "uterine fibroids." While some women experience pain, menstrual changes, and other complications from fibroids, they can also be asymptomatic. Since it's not always obvious if you have fibroids, it's a great idea for all women to take steps to naturally prevent these common uterine growths.

Studies have shown that they prevent or treathigh pressureHelps reduce the risk of developing fibroids. According to research from Harvard Medical School and the Harvard School of Public Health, there is a strong and independent association between blood pressure and fibroid risk in premenopausal women. (3)

Some fibroid risk factors are out of your control, but there are many that you can control. This includes things like eating quality meat (especially beef), adding more detox foods like leafy greens to your diet, and drinking less alcohol. There are also a number of actions you can take to help.Balance your hormones naturally,This is an important part of the prevention and natural treatment of fibroids.

8 Natural Treatments for Fibroids

1. Avoid foods that make fibroids worse

Foods that should be eliminated or restricted to reduce risk include:

• High-fat processed meat.high fat content,processed meatthey are among the worst foods for women when it comes to fibroids. Foods high in unhealthy fats, such as non-organic/processed meats or trans fats (think hamburgers and processed sausage for breakfast), can increase inflammation scores. Processed foods also often contain chemical additives and other pro-inflammatory ingredients. Limit the amount of meat you eat and also include plant-based protein in your diet. When eating beef, always try to opt for beefgrass fed beef.
• conventional milk.Non-organic dairy products can be high in steroids, hormones, and other chemicals that can disrupt hormone levels when consumed in large amounts, promoting the development and growth of fibroids.
• Refined sugar.Consuming too much refined sugar can promote inflammation and lead to weight gain. It can also increase pain and decrease immune function. There is a link between weight gain and hormonal imbalance, and both factors can promote the development of fibroids. Studies have even shown that a high glycemic index in the diet is associated with an increased risk of uterine fibroids in some women. (4)
• Refined carbohydrates.Hormone management involves not only eliminating sugar from the diet, but alsorefined carbohydrates. Refined carbohydrates, such as products made from white and bleached flour, cause insulin levels to spike and hormones to go haywire. Eating processed grains like B. in instant hot cereals and commercial breads, causes a significant increase in insulin. These refined carbohydrates have been stripped of everything but starch, leaving them with mostly empty calories and very little nutritional value.
• Alcohol.Excessive alcohol consumption can definitely contribute to increased inflammation throughout the body. It also reduces immune function; may promote weight gain; and stimulates hormonal imbalances. By reducing or eliminating alcohol, you can get your hormones back on track and hopefully help shrink existing fibroids.
• Caffeine.too much caffeineit takes a toll on your body, especially your liver. Giving your liver more work than it can handle won't keep your hormones in check either. The more you can cut back on alcohol and caffeine, the easier it will be for your liver to detoxify your body and keep your hormones in the proper balance, which helps prevent fibroids.

2. Eat foods that help calm fibroids

What kind of diet can help prevent or treat fibroids? The following foods should be included in your diet to keep them under control:

• Organic foods.Eating mostly organic foods can help prevent and reduce fibroids, since organic products are grown and manufactured without the use of chemical pesticides. Pesticides used in commercial/non-organic agriculture can affect levels of estrogen and other hormones. Since hormonal balance is key to treating fibroids naturally, you should reduce your use of pesticides as much as possible.
• Leafy vegetables.Green leafy vegetables have many anti-inflammatory effects, so they can inhibit the growth of fibroids in a woman's body. This vegetable is tooFoods rich in vitamin K,They help blood clotting and control menstrual bleeding.
• Cruciferous vegetables.cruciferous vegetablessupport liver detoxification and may help balance estrogen levels. Research has shown that high consumption of broccoli, cabbage, bok choy, tomatoes, and apples appears to be a protective factor for uterine fibroids, possibly due to their high fiber and antioxidant content. Research has shown that a plant-based diet, including a higher intake of cruciferous vegetables (and fresh fruit), can reduce the occurrence of uterine fibroids in women.(5)
• Foods rich in beta-carotene.After digestion, the human body converts beta-carotene into vitamin A, which promotes the growth and repair of healthy tissue, which can be very helpful in the treatment of fibroids. Some foods rich in beta-carotene are carrots, sweet potatoes, kale, and spinach.
• iron-rich foods.Fibroids sometimes cause some women to lose more blood during menstruation. This can lead to anemia. To make up for excessive iron loss due to increased bleeding, include iron-rich foods in your diet, such as grass-fed meat and legumes.
• Flax.flaxIt can help balance estrogen levels in the body, which in turn can help shrink fibroids. You should take at least 2 tablespoons a day if you already have fibroids. You can sprinkle flaxseed into oatmeal, in your smoothies, or just eat the seeds on their own.
• Full grain.Instead of eating refined grains, opt for healthier whole grains like millet, spelt, brown rice, buckwheat, rye, and oats. These are higher in fiber, contain more minerals, and tend to be much less processed.

3. Try supplements that help shrink fibroids

Be sure to consult your doctor before introducing any new supplements. Discuss if any of the following supplements, which have a reputation for creating better hormonal balance, might be helpful for you:

• Vitex(400 milligrams, 2 times a day).Vitexo Chaste tree reduces estrogen levels by promoting progesterone production. For best results, Vitex should be taken for at least six months.
• Fish oil (1,000 milligrams daily) or flaxseed oil (1 tablespoon daily).essential fatty acids from fish oil andlinseed oilIt can help reduce inflammation in your body, which can play a role in the growth of fibroids.
• Complex B (50 milligrams per day).When the diet lacks B vitamins, the liver lacks some of the raw materials it needs to carry out its metabolic processes and regulate estrogen levels.
• Progesterone cream (1/4 teaspoon, cycle days 6-26).appliesprogesterone creamtopical can help balance low progesterone. When treating fibroids, it's important to work with a doctor who has tested your hormone levels so they can advise you on whether a natural progesterone cream is right for your body.
• Milk thistle (150 milligrams, 2 times a day).Helps the body with liver detoxification which can balance hormones.

4. Use essential oils

Timo,peel the plateand frankincense are the best essential oils to treat fibroids naturally. All of them have the ability to naturally balance hormones. Researchers have also shown that clary sage oil significantly lowers cortisol levels and has antidepressant effects. This is just one of several studies showing the ability of clary sage oil to stimulate women's hormones. (6)

To use these essential oils, you can rub 2 drops of each oil on your lower abdomen twice a day (combine with a carrier oil like coconut oil if you have sensitive skin). You can also try putting 2 drops of frankincense oil on the roof of your mouth twice a day.

5. Drink herbal teas

Herbal teas can help relieve symptoms by reducing inflammation and rebalancing certain hormones. chaste tree teas,milk thistle, yellow sorrel, dandelion root, nettle, and red raspberry have systemic benefits for the uterus and reproductive system.

6. Try castor oil packs

application aBeaver oilto the abdomen, increases circulation in the lymphatic and circulatory systems and also increases lymphocytes, white blood cells that remove disease-causing toxins from the body. Many holistic practitioners believe that the buildup of toxins plays a role in the development of fibroids.

Castor oil contains an anti-inflammatory compound called ricinoleic acid. Although there is no scientific research to date directly examining the effects of castor oil packs on uterine fibroids, it makes sense that castor oil packs could be helpful. A 2011 study showed that castor oil packs can help improve detoxification and relieve symptoms associated with constipation. (7)

7. Avoid contact with environmental toxins

Stay away from the following chemicals to improve your hormonal health and overall health: pesticides, herbicides, synthetic fertilizers, bleach, food preservatives, harmful cleaning agents (even certaineco cleaner) and food coloring. You should also opt for natural, unbleached feminine care products, as well as organic body care and makeup products.

8th exercise

Regular exercise can really help prevent fibroids before they start! According to a study, the more exercise a woman does, the less likely she is to get uterine fibroids. (8) Exercise has many anti-inflammatory effects, can help control blood pressure, can help improve insulin sensitivity, is beneficial for weight control, and can contribute to hormonal balance.

fibroid symptoms

Can fibroids cause bleeding, back pain, or other unusual symptoms? It is possible, but not all women who suffer from it have noticeable symptoms. About 70% to 80% of women will have fibroids by the age of 50, but many will not know it. (9) It is common for women not to realize they have them until they have a routine checkup or when they become pregnant and have an ultrasound.

When symptoms appear due to uterine fibroids, these are some of the most common:

• heavy menstrual bleeding
• Menstrual period that lasts seven days or more.
• Swelling or a feeling of fullness in the abdominal/pelvic area
• pelvic pressure or pain
• frequent urination
• Difficulty emptying the bladder
• Called
• pain during sexual intercourse
• back or leg pain
• reproductive problems, includingsterilityand miscarriages

Uterine fibroids during pregnancy:

What signs or symptoms can occur if a woman has fibroids during pregnancy? Fibroids can sometimes cause complications during pregnancy and delivery, including a six times increased risk of needing a C-section. (10) They can also contribute to infertility if severe. It can be more difficult to fertilize an egg and then implant it in the lining of the uterus when there is a large fibroid.

A woman's OB/GYN may recommend that she take medication to shrink fibroids before pregnancy. In severe cases, surgery can also be done before pregnancy, but not if the woman is already pregnant, as this can lead to blood loss and premature labor. Fibroids have long been thought to increase the risk of miscarriage in the first and second trimesters. However, a new meta-analysis did not show a significantly increased risk of miscarriage in women with leiomyomas (fibroids) compared with women without leiomyomas.

Fibroids may increase the risk of preterm labor or complications during delivery, including obstruction of the birth canal. However, not all women with fibroids who become pregnant experience serious complications or symptoms.

Fibroids can increase in size during pregnancy due to increased estrogen levels. Bleeding and abdominal pain can also occur during pregnancy when the fibroid begins to lose its blood supply. A woman's doctor may recommend that she have more ultrasounds than usual during pregnancy to monitor her fibroids.

types of fibroids

The medical term for fibroids is leiomyoma or myoma. The location, size, and number of fibroids affect the severity of symptoms a woman will experience. It is possible to have more than one type of fibroid at the same time if they develop in different parts of the reproductive system.

The main types of fibroids that can grow in a woman's body include:

Mioma intramural— Intramural fibroids are the most common form of fibroids. They grow within the muscular wall of the uterus. If they are large enough, they can actually distort and stretch the womb or uterus. They can also cause heavy, prolonged periods, as well as pressure and pain in the pelvic area.

subserous fibroids— Fibroids, which grow outside the lining of the uterus, sometimes put pressure on the bladder and cause urinary problems, such as difficulty emptying the bladder. Sometimes this type can also cause back pain. Back pain can occur when subserosal fibroids protrude from the back of the uterus and press on spinal nerves, putting pressure on the back.

earringfibroids“These fibroids have grown into little stalks inside or outside the uterus.

Submucosal myoma“These grow just below the lining of the uterus. This type of fibroid is more likely to cause heavy and prolonged menstrual bleeding. They can also sometimes cause problems for women trying to conceive. Submucosal tumors are not as common as other types.

cervical fibroids— They grow in cervical tissue, but are rare compared to other types of fibroids.

Risk factors and underlying causes offibroids

What are the causes of fibroids? The following factors may increase a woman's risk of developing fibroids:

• inheritance: A woman with a mother or sister who had/has fibroids is more likely to develop fibroids.
• To alter: Fibroids usually appear when a woman is between 30 and 40 years old.
• carrera: African-American women are two to three times more likely to develop fibroids than women of other races or ethnicities. Black women tend to have them at younger ages and have more as they are taller.
• Diet: Eating a lot of low-quality beef and pork of any kind is associated with an increased risk of fibroids.
• obesity: Women who are overweight or obese are more likely to develop fibroids than women who maintain a healthy weight.
• High pressure: High blood pressure, or high blood pressure, appears to increase a woman's risk of fibroids.
• hypothyroidism: Overt hypothyroidism has been associated with the presence of uterine leiomyomas (fibroids).
• early menstruation: Women who start menstruating before the age of 10 have a higher risk of fibroids than women who start menstruating after the age of 10.
• natality control: Taking birth control pills can cause fibroids to grow faster due to increased levels of estrogen in the body. High estrogen foodsChemicals that disrupt hormonesthat mimic estrogen may also play a role in the development of fibroids.

Doctors don't know exactly what causes fibroids, but research and clinical experience point to some likely factors. (11) Fibroids appear to grow from a single smooth muscle cell, but continue to expand where they shouldn't. Because fibroids are hereditary, to some degree they appear to be genetic. For example, identical twins are more likely to have them than fraternal twins. Many fibroids also contain gene changes that are different from the genes in normal uterine muscle cells.

Hormonal imbalances are another cause of fibroids. The hormones estrogen and progesterone are responsible for stimulating the growth of the lining of the uterus each month in preparation for a possible pregnancy. Estrogen and progesterone also appear to promote the growth of fibroids, which contain more estrogen and progesterone receptors than normal uterine muscle cells. Another reason why this hormonal theory makes sense is the fact that they tend to shrink after a woman goes through menopause.Menopausecoincides with a drop in a woman's hormone levels.

Fibroids vs Polyps

The uterus contains two types of tissue. the inner liningendometriumIt is the tissue that is shed each month during menstruation. However, most of the uterus is made up of muscle tissue ormyometrium. Both the endometrium and myometrium are capable of producing benign "tumors." Overgrowth of the endometrium causes uterine polyps, while overgrowth of the myometrium causes fibroids or fibroids.

Her makeup:

• Fibroids are made of tough muscle tissue that grows on the myometrial lining of the uterus.
• Polyps are made of endometrial tissue and are malleable because they originate from the inner lining of the uterus.

Polyp size:

• Polyps are usually very small, from a few millimeters to centimeters.
• Fibroids are generally larger than polyps, from millimeters to the size of watermelons.

cancer potential:

• Polyps can turn into cancer, although this is rare.
• Fibroids are benign growths and are not associated with an increased risk of cancer.

Pain symptoms:

• Fibroids can cause pain, pressure, menstrual changes, and discomfort.
• Polyps are usually painless and often go unnoticed.

When is surgery necessary for uterine fibroids?

Fibroid surgery may be recommended for women with severe symptoms, infertility, or at increased risk of complications during pregnancy or childbirth. A fibroid operation is performedBeforea woman becomes pregnant (not during pregnancy) as this can cause bleeding and other symptoms that would affect the pregnancy. Uterine fibroid surgery can be done to remove just the fibroids (called a myomectomy) or to remove a woman's entire uterus (called a hysterectomy). (12) Hysterectomy is only suitable if the woman does not intend to become pregnant in the future, since it completely removes the uterus.

Before performing surgery, the woman's doctor will likely try less invasive treatment approaches, such as using birth control pills or hormone replacement medications to control fibroid symptoms. The operation is performed through a small incision laparoscopically, through the vagina, or through a larger incision in the abdomen. One treatment option called uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) is a minimally invasive procedure that uses embolic agents to block the arteries that supply blood to the fibroids, causing them to shrink. UFE does not work for all types of fibroids and can also contribute to poor outcomes after surgery.

A survey of 135,000 women was recently conducted to assess thisResults of different approaches to the treatment of fibroids. Women included in the study underwent hysterectomy, myomectomy, uterine artery embolization, or MRI-guided focused ultrasound surgery. The results suggest that myomectomy is the preferred surgical approach to treat fibroids, although UAE represents a "reasonable alternative" for some women who refuse other types of surgery.

Some doctors have advised that women who wish to preserve their fertility should avoid UAEs, as it is correlated with low pregnancy rates and adverse events during or after pregnancy. In terms of avoiding the need for a hysterectomy, women with myomectomies appeared to be at lower risk of subsequent hysterectomy than women with UAE. However, more women in the myomectomy group underwent at least one subsequent surgical procedure. About 18% of women became pregnant after myomectomy, compared to only 2% after UAE. Unfortunately, about 64 percent of all women in both groups (myomectomy and UAE) had "high overall rates of adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes."

Important points about fibroids

• Fibroids are more common than polyps in women and usually develop in later reproductive years.
• Fibroids are most common in women over the age of 30 and are rarely seen in women under the age of 20; They tend to shrink after menopause.
• Intramural fibroids are the most common form. They grow on the wall of the uterus.
• Any type of fibroid can affect reproductive function and cause infertility or miscarriage.
• Some women with fibroids who have unusually heavy menstrual bleeding may become anemic due to increased iron loss.
• See your doctor as soon as possible if you have thisvaginal bleedingthe acutepain in the pelvic areait comes suddenly. Large fibroids can be detected on a physical exam. The smallest ones can be seen with ultrasound, CT scan or MRI.

8 Natural Treatments for Fibroids

1. Avoid foods that make fibroids worse.
2. Eat foods that help soothe fibroids.
3. Try supplements that help shrink fibroids.
4. Turn to essential oils.
5. drink herbal teas.
6. Try castor oil packs.
7. Avoid contact with environmental toxins.
8. A practice.

Read below:PMS Symptoms + The Best (and Worst) Foods for Your Period