Natural Remedies for Uterine Fibroids

All you need to know about Fibroids

Fibroid usually referred as uterine fibroid is a non cancerous benign tumour of the smooth muscles found in the wall of the uterus. Uterine fibroids are common and as many as one in every five women are known to develop these fibroids during their child bearing years. Statistics show that nearly one third of 600,000 hysterectomy surgeries performed annually in the US are done due to fibroids. These fibroids though benign can cause various health problems and discomfort. Fibroids may be single or grow in clusters and cause excessive menstrual bleeding and pelvic pain.

The actual cause of fibroids remains somewhat unknown however there are various factors that may be linked to the presence of fibroids.

Factors that affect the risk of fibroids:

· Women of African-American descent stand higher risks of developing fibroids than women of other races.

· Fibroids are genetic, and an affected person is likely to have a family history of these uterine tumours.

· Obesity is associated with uterine fibroids. Women with elevated blood pressure and those who are overweight stand higher risk of fibroids.

· Women who have never given birth may also develop fibroids.

· In some cases fibroids are noticed in women who had a very early onset of their menstrual periods.

About 50% of women may have fibroids by the age of 50. Fibroids are rare in females under the age of 20. While fibroids often cause no symptoms in women who have crossed menopause, there are a few common symptoms and signs that are experienced by few women.

Symptoms:

· Frequent urination or sense of urgency to urinate that is caused due to pressure on the bladder

· Pressure on the rectum which may cause constipation

· Pelvic pressure that results in severe lower abdominal pain

· Increased abdominal girth

· Sensation of fullness due to pelvic pressure

· Menorrhagia which is irregular vaginal bleeding or spotting between periods sometimes with blood clots

· Heavy menstrual bleeding soaking more than three pads an hour

· Abnormal pain during intercourse

· Menstrual periods lasting longer than normal

· Fever or night sweats for a prolonged period of time

· Dizziness or chest pain associated with bleeding

· Infertility which may be defined as the inability to conceive or become pregnant after attempting to become pregnant for more than a year

If a woman experiences any of the above symptoms she should seek immediate medical attention. The doctor will conduct a pelvic examination to determine the presence of fibroids. Most often the doctor can feel an irregularly shaped uterus that indicates presence of fibroids. In some cases when a pelvic examination is not sufficient the doctor may perform tests like an endometrial biopsy, laparoscopy or scans of the pelvic, trans vaginal or abdominal region.

Diagnosis and Treatment:

Treatment of the fibroids depends on the symptoms, the size and location of the fibroids and the woman’s general health. The treatment may also be tweaked based on the patient’s desire to bear children. There are several medications and non invasive surgeries to treat fibroids. Medications to treat fibroids include non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs, RU 486, and contraceptive pills

Hormonal imbalance is generally the cause of fibroid growth. There are several natural remedies for fibroids that help in minimizing the symptoms by restoring the balance of hormones.

Natural remedies for fibroids:

· Green tea: Scientists have discovered that eight weeks of consumption of green tea shows a significant reduction in the volume and weight of fibroids.

· Traditional Chinese Medicine: This alternative form of medicine believes that energy flow and blood needs to be unblocked to treat fibroids. Studies have revealed that six months of Chinese medicine treatment helps in considerable reduction in size of fibroids and also helps prevent further growth of fibroids.

· Acupuncture: Acupuncture is one of the most popular natural remedies for fibroids. Small needles are used at specific points of the body that increases blood circulation and thereby relieves fibroid masses.

· Vitamin Supplement: Including a supplement of vitamin B is said to reduce symptoms such as bloating and cramping. Vitamin B complex that contains magnesium, calcium and potassium helps restore balance to the body.

· Balanced Diet: A low fat and high fibre diet helps in the reduction of fibroids. A diet rich in saturated fats overload the liver and prevents it from breaking down hormones which creates an imbalance of hormones in the body. Xenoestrogens found in pesticides that are sprayed on fruits and vegetables can trigger the growth of fibroids. A poor diet elevates estrogen levels in the body that leads to the formation of fibroids.

· Exercise: Estrogen is stored in the fat cells of the body, hence it is important to exercise and maintain a healthy body mass index. Increase in exercise and reducing stress levels is the key to good health and also helps in reducing the risk of fibroids.