Fibroids Can Be a Real Pain!

by Naturopathic Doctor Pamela Frank

Fibroids are benign tumours of the smooth muscle of the uterus.  Benign tumours sounds like an oxymoron doesn’t it? The word tumour causes alarm for most people.  Not to worry, fibroids are considered fairly harmless, but can still cause some pretty uncomfortable symptoms.

You may have fibroids if you experience:

·         Excessively heavy periods

·         Anemia

·         Abdominal pain

·         Bladder or bowel problems

·         Bloating or a “pregnant look” when not pregnant

·         Menstrual clotting

·         Recurring miscarriages and/or infertility.

The Root Cause

There are two predominant theories as to why fibroids develop:

1. Chronic tendency to inflammation

2. Excessive estrogen activity due to:

·         Low SHBG

·         Excessive pollutants that are acting like estrogen in your body also called xenoestrogens

·         Excess estrogen production from fat cells

My Naturopathic Treatment Approach

As a naturopathic doctor, I always try to address the underlying cause of the problem.

1.  Inflammation

There are many wonderful, natural ways to curb inflammation including:

• Enzymes

• Curcumin

• Hops and Rosemary combination

• Proper diet 

2.  Excess estrogen activity can be improved through:

• Healthy diet and exercise

• Liver detoxification

• Healthy weight loss. 

3.  Acupuncture can work well to relieve pain associated with fibroids, reduce heavy menstruation and clotting and help to shrink the size of fibroids, depending on how advanced they are.  Generally if fibroids are 8 cm or less, naturopathic treatment can be quite successful.  More advanced fibroids may require surgery, then naturopathic treatment to prevent recurrences.

4.  Traditional Chinese Herbs help to promote the body's self-cleaning function of the female reproductive organs so that the growth of the fibroid tissue is stopped or reversed. 

Benefits of My Treatment Approach

1. Non-invasive - no surgery required to shrink fibroids
2. Healthier hormone balance
3. Healthier diet and lifestyle
4. Prevents recurrences

Fibroids News and Recent Developments NEW!

Use of beets and molasses for treatment of fibroids
Source: Journal of Ethnopharmacology 92, pp. 337-339

Did you know that fibroids can regrow even after hysterectomy?  That's right, even after hysterectomy!