A common female problem is fibroids. Uterine fibroids are noncancerous (benign) tumors that develop in the uterus (womb), a female reproductive organ.
Other names for fibroids are : Leiomyoma; Fibromyoma; Myoma; Fibroids; Here are some statistics abouit fibroids.
Uterine fibroids are the most common pelvic tumor. As many as 1 in 5 women may have fibroids during their childbearing years (the time after starting menstruation for the first time and before menopause).
Fibroids usually affect women over age 30. They are rare in women under 20, and often shrink and cause no symptoms in women who have gone through menopause. They are more common in African Americans than Caucasians.
The cause of uterine fibroid tumors is unknown. However, fibroid growth seems to depend on the hormone estrogen. As long as a woman with fibroids is menstruating, a fibroid will probably continue to grow, usually slowly.
Fibroids are often described by their location in the uterus:
1. Myometrial -- in the muscle wall of the uterus
2. Submucosal -- just under the surface of the uterine lining
3. Subserosal -- just under the outside covering of the uterus
4. Pendunculated -- occurring on a long stalk on the outside of the uterus or inside the cavity of the uterus
I have found that the symptoms vary from female to female. I am not a gynecologist, but as a general internist or integrative physician, I get asked is there something to shrink my fibroids. The more common symptoms of uterine fibroids are the following:
1. Abdominal fullness, gas, or constipation
2. Bleeding between periods
3. Increase in urinary frequency
4. Heavy menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia), sometimes with the passage of blood clots
5. Menstrual periods that may last longer than normal
6. Pelvic cramping or pain with periods
7. Sensation of fullness or pressure in lower abdomen
8. Pain during intercourse
9. There are often no symptoms.
To make a diagnosis of a fibroid, a pelvic examination may show an irregularly shaped, lumpy, or enlarged uterus. Frequently, this diagnosis is reliable. Since you do not want to confuse or misdiagnose a fibroid, a transvaginal ultrasound or pelvic ultrasound may be done to confirm the diagnosis of fibroids. Sometimes, a pelvic MRI is used to confirm the diagnosis. An endometrial biopsy (biopsy of the uterine lining) or laparoscopy may be needed to rule out cancer.
I am not a gynecologist, but as a general internist or integrative physician, I get asked is there something to shrink my fibroids.
Treatment
Treatment depends on various factors, including:
The common treatments include 1. Birth control pills (oral contraceptives) to help control heavy periods; 2. Intrauterine devices (IUDs) that release the hormone progestin to help reduce heavy bleeding and pain; 3. Iron supplements to prevent or treat anemia due to heavy periods; 4. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or naprosyn for cramps or pain; 5. Hormonal therapy (gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists or Depo Leuprolide injections) may be used to help shrink the fibroids.
Then there is the dreaded surgery or resection.
There is the hysteroscopic resection of fibroids: These are for women who have fibroids growing inside the uterine cavity may need this outpatient procedure. In this procedure, a small camera and instruments are inserted through the cervix into the uterus to remove the fibroid tumors. The second procedure is Uterine artery embolization: This procedure stops the blood supply to the fibroid, causing it to die and shrink. Uterine artery embolization is not used to treat large fibroids. Women who may want to become pregnant in the future should NOT have this procedure.
Myomectomy: This surgery removes the fibroids. It is often the chosen treatment for women who want to have children, because it usually can preserve fertility. The third is a surgical procedure called a myomectomy. This is just removing the fibroid. An advantage of a myomectomy is that it controls pain or excessive bleeding that occurs in some women with uterine fibroids. More fibroids can develop after a myomectomy.
The most invasive surgery is the Total Hysterectomy: This invasive surgery may be an option if medicines do not work and other surgeries and procedures are not an option.
I have seen other non traditional treatments help with fibroids. The first one is acupuncture by a health care practitioner who works with acupuncture needles for the treatment of fibroids. These same practitioners have used acupuncture for fertility. I feel this is a sub specialty of accupuncture.
I always read what naturopathic doctor Tori Hudson has written She is an expert in this field.
I always turn to Tori for the answers to the herbs for .... in a woman.
The remedy I used to shrink the fibroids are the following:
Treatment protocol:
For promoting hormonal regulation : Chasteberry Vitex agnus
2.5 ml morning and evening
As a uterine tonic
Lady's mantle Alchemilla vulgaris 25 mL
Raspberry Rubus idaeus 30 mL
Nettles Urtica dioica) 20 mL
White peony Paeonia lactiflora 15 mL
Ginger Zingiber officinalis 10 mL
TOTAL 100 mL
I would be taking 3 mL twice a day for 3 months
I would try this before any procedure. I think it will slow down the bleeding and shrink the uterine fibroids.
I might add False unicorn ( Chamaelirium luteum) - 15mL in 2 months if you do not notice significant changes. You should see an overall reduction in symptom recurrence within two menstrual cycles. Reduction in the size of the fibroids 3-6 months. The fibroids might not be gone completely but enough of the symptoms as you might mitigate the need for surgical and any pharmaceutical treatment
Until tomorrow…