How To Shrink Fibroids

Fibroids 

Fibroids are a frequently seen muscular tumor of the female reproductive system that grow in the wall of the uterus (womb). Another medical term for fibroid is "myoma". Fibroids are made of smooth muscle cells and fibrous connective tissue that develop in the uterus. Some estimates state that up to 30 to 77 percent of women will develop fibroids sometime during their childbearing years.

Almost in all of fibroid cases, the tumors are benign (non-cancerous). These tumors are not associated with cancer and do not increase a woman's risk for uterine cancer. They may range in size, from the size of a pea to the size of a softball or grapefruit. In unusual cases they can become very large and can grow the size of a watermelon.

Most fibroids grow in the wall of the uterus. Doctors put them into three groups based on where they grow:

• Submucosal: fibroids grow into the uterine cavity.
• Intramural: fibroids grow within the wall of the uterus.
• Sub serosal: fibroids grow on the outside of the uterus.

 

Are They Safe?

Can we say it is safe to have fibroids? Well no. It also depends on if the woman has symptoms based on the existence of these fibroids or not. Not all women with fibroids have symptoms. Women who do have symptoms often find fibroids hard to live with. Some have pain and heavy menstrual bleeding as it can put pressure on the bladder. Should the fibroids get very large, they can cause the abdomen (stomach area) to enlarge, making a woman look pregnant.

While it is not clearly known what causes fibroids, it is believed that each tumor develops from a muscle cell in the uterus, which multiplies rapidly because of the influence of estrogen. Doctors connect them with the high level of estrogen found in the woman’s body. Women who are approaching menopause are at the greatest risk for fibroids because of their long exposure to high levels of estrogen.

Risk Factors 

Other factors can increase a woman's risk of developing fibroids.

• Age. Fibroids become more common as women age, especially during the 30s and 40s through menopause. After menopause, fibroids usually shrink.
• Family history. Having a family member with fibroids increases your risk. If a woman's mother had fibroids, her risk of having them is about three times higher than average.
• Obesity. Women who are overweight are at higher risk for fibroids. For very heavy women, the risk is two to three times greater than average.
• Eating habits. Eating a lot of red meat (e.g., beef) and ham is linked with a higher risk of fibroids. Eating plenty of green vegetables seems to protect women from developing fibroids.
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Symptoms 

Most fibroids do not cause any symptoms, but some women with fibroids can have:

• Heavy bleeding or painful periods
• Feeling of fullness in the pelvic area (lower stomach area)
• Enlargement of the lower abdomen
• Frequent urination
• Pain during sex
• Lower back pain
• Complications during pregnancy and labor.
• Reproductive problems, such as infertility.

Treatment 

Most fibroids stop growing or may even shrink as a woman approaches menopause. The health care provider monitors the woman's symptoms carefully to ensure that there are no significant changes or developments and that the fibroids are not growing.

In women whose fibroids are large or are causing significant symptoms, treatment that her doctor may consider are:

• Hysterectomy. Hysterectomies involve the surgical removal of the entire uterus. Fibroids remain the number one reason for hysterectomies in the United States.
• Conservative surgical therapy. Conservative surgical therapy uses a procedure called a myomectomy. With this approach, physicians will remove the fibroids, but leave the uterus intact to enable a future pregnancy.
• Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (GnRH agonists). This approach lowers levels of estrogen and triggers a "medical menopause." Sometimes GnRH agonists are used to shrink the fibroid, making surgical treatment easier.
• Anti-hormonal agents. Certain drugs oppose estrogen (such as progestin and Danazol) and appear effective in treating fibroids. Anti-progestins, which block the action of progesterone, are also sometimes used.
• Anti-inflammatory painkillers. This type of drug is often effective for women who experience occasional pelvic pain or discomfort.

Natural Treatment Guide

Mother Nature always provides humans with the necessary materials and resources to complete the journey of her life in a healthy direction. Ancestors and early civilization, always found magnificent approaches to cure themselves from diseases such as herbs, leaves and even meditation. Even with the evolution of the human and technology many people rely on alternative natural treatments to protect them from diseases. There are different kinds of natural foods and life styles that prevents a woman from getting fibroids.

 

 Foods that Relieve Fibroids

• Organic Foods.
• Eating mostly organic foods may help to prevent and shrink fibroids because it won’t change the estrogen level within the body.
• Green Leafy Vegetables.
• As they have many anti-inflammatory effects, so they may discourage the growth of fibroids in a woman’s body.
• Beta-Carotene Rich Foods.
• Upon digestion, the human body turns beta carotene into vitamin A, which promotes the growth and repair of healthy tissues. This can be very helpful for treating fibroids. Some foods that are high in beta-carotene include carrots, sweet potatoes, kale and spinach.
• High-Iron Foods
• Fibroids sometimes cause some women to lose more blood during their monthly menstruation. This can lead to anemia. To replace the excessive loss of iron due to increased bleeding, include high-iron foods like green leafy vegetables and legumes in your diet.
•  Flaxseeds
• Flaxseeds can help balance estrogen levels in the body, which can in turn work to shrink fibroids. You should aim for at least 2 tablespoons per day if you already have fibroids. You can sprinkle flaxseeds on oatmeal, in your smoothies or simply eat the seeds by themselves.

Easy homemade ingredients for help

1.       Garlic

Garlic is a good source of vitamin B6, C, and minerals that are effective in balancing the female hormones.

2.       Lemon Juice

 Add two teaspoons of lemon juice and one teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of water. Stir the solution well and drink it. To reduce the symptoms of fibroids, drink this solution on a regular basis.

3.       Ginger

Ginger root is very effective to reduce the pain and increase blood circulation. You can prepare tea by adding some fresh ginger roots in a glass of boiling water. Strain the tea and drink it many a times in a day. Ginger root also helps reduce inflammation in ovaries and uterus.

4.       Olive Oil

It is known for blocking estrogen. You can take one tablespoon of olive oil with some lemon juice on an empty stomach in the morning.

5.       Castor Oil

Castor oil is very effective against fibroids. Take some warm castor oil in a bowl. Soak a clean washcloth in it for some time until it absorbs oil. Fold the cloth and place it on the abdomen area. Now, cover the cloth with a plastic wrap and put a hot water bottle on it. Leave it overnight. Continue this method for five nights. After a break of two nights, repeat the same. To notice positive results, try this method for three weeks.

6.       Apple Cider Vinegar

To treat the non-cancerous tumor of fibroids, apple cider vinegar is the best solution. All you need to do is add two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in 8 ounces of water. Stir it well and drink daily.

7.       Onion

The antioxidants present in onion help heal fibroids very easily. It is beneficial in balancing the female hormones. Therefore, to reduce the size of fibroid tumors start eating raw onions.

8.       Gooseberry

Gooseberry is one of the most used remedies against various skin as well as hair problems. Just prepare a paste by adding one teaspoon of gooseberry powder in one teaspoon of honey. Mix well and consume it. You are advised to have this paste on an empty stomach in the morning. It is a very useful remedy for decreasing the size of fibroid tumors.

9.       Fish

Fish contains omega-3 fatty acid that is very effective for healing fibroid tumors. One must consume cold water fish, like salmon, tuna, herring, etc., to get rid of uterine fibroids.

10. Honey

A blend of various ingredients, like pollen, aloe juice, water, etc. with honey, is effective against fibroids. Just take a glass of pure water. Add a teaspoon of 100% natural honey and one tablespoon of bee pollen to it. Blend all the ingredients adding one cup of aloe juice. Drink it.

Supplements That Aid in Fibroid Reduction

Be sure to check with your Licensed Healthcare Provider before introducing new supplements. Discuss if any of these supplements below might be helpful for you:

1.       Vitex (400 milligrams, 2 times daily).

Vitex or chasteberry reduces estrogen levels by promoting the production of progesterone. For best results, vitex should be taken for at least six months.

2.       Fish Oil (1,000 milligrams daily) or Flaxseed Oil (1 tablespoon daily).

 The essential fatty acids found in fish oil and flaxseed oil can help reduce inflammation in your body, which may play a part in fibroid growth.

3.       B-complex (50 milligrams daily).

If B vitamins are lacking in the diet, the liver is missing some of the raw materials it needs to carry out its metabolic processes and regulate estrogen levels.

4.       Progesterone Cream (1/4 teaspoon, days 6–26 of cycle).

 Applying progesterone cream topically can help balance out low progesterone. When treating fibroids, it’s important to work with a Healthcare provider who has tested your hormone levels, so you can be best advised if natural progesterone cream is the right option for your body.

5.       Milk Thistle (150 milligrams, 2 times daily).

 Aids body in liver detoxification, which can balance hormones.

Yoga and Meditation 

One of the simplest remedies to reduce fibroid tumors is practicing yoga regularly. To balance the physical functions of our body, yoga is the best option. Meditation and yoga also help maintain menstrual cycles and hormonal levels. Fibroids may be thought of as “too much energy” staying in the uterus.  Here’s one way to move it:  Sit or recline comfortably and pay attention to your breath.  Imagine that you are breathing out of your womb and out of your vagina.  Breathe into your vagina and into your womb.  Pause a moment and feel the breath spiral inside the uterus.  Breathe out, pause a moment, breathe in.  Continue for at least ten breaths.

• The root chakra is strongly connected with anger.  Unwanted growths in these organs may be seen as unrepressed, or stored, anger and countered by allowing the anger to discharge safely.
• Sound Healing – Listen to healing chanting and gongs.  Get some bells or cymbals and ring them over your womb every day.
•  Women with fibroids (and menstrual cramps) have reported within three months of beginning a vigorous exercise program their fibroids disappeared.  Exercise helps regular ovulation and regular ovulation seems to discourage fibroids.