UTERINE FIBROIDS
(Medical Point of view)

What are fibroids?

Uterine fibroids are nodules of smooth muscle cells and fibrous connective tissue that develop within the wall of the uterus (womb). Medically they are called uterine leiomyomata (singular: leiomyoma). Fibroids may grow as a single nodule or in clusters and may range in size from 1 mm to more than 20 cm (8 inches) in diameter. They may grow within the wall of the uterus or they may project into the interior cavity or toward the outer surface of the uterus. In rare cases, they may grow on stalks or peduncles projecting from the surface of the uterus.

What causes fibroids?

The factors that initiate fibroid growth are not known. The vast majority of fibroids occur in women of reproductive age, and according to some estimates, they are diagnosed in black women two to three times more frequently than in white women. They are seldom seen in young women who have not begun menarche (menstruation) and they usually stabilize or regress in women who have passed menopause.

Are fibroids cancerous?

Fibroids are the most frequently diagnosed tumor of the female pelvis. It is important to know that these are benign tumors. They are not associated with cancer, they virtually never develop into cancer, and they do not increase a woman's risk for uterine cancer.

Who is at Risk for Uterine Fibroids?

No risk factors have been found for uterine fibroids other than being a female of reproductive age. However, some factors have been described that seem to be protective. In some studies, again of small numbers of women, investigators found that as a group, women who have had two live born children have one-half the risk of having uterine fibroids compared to women who have had no live born children. It could not be discerned whether having children actually protects a woman from developing fibroids or whether fibroids contributed to the infertility of women who had no children.

What are the symptoms of fibroids?

Most fibroids do not cause any symptoms and do not require treatment other than regular observation by a physician. Fibroids may be discovered during routine gynecologic examination or during prenatal care. Some women who have uterine fibroids may experience symptoms such as:

• excessive or painful bleeding during menstruation
• bleeding between periods
• a feeling of fullness in the lower abdomen
• frequent urination resulting from a fibroid that compresses the bladder
• pain during sexual intercourse
• low back pain.

Although reproductive symptoms such as infertility, recurrent spontaneous abortion, and early onset of labor during pregnancy have been attributed to fibroids to any of these symptoms. In rare cases, a fibroid can compress and block the fallopian tube, preventing fertilization and migration of the ovum (egg); after surgical removal of the fibroid, fertility is generally restored.

What is the treatment for fibroids?

Until very recently, a woman with growing uterine fibroids was considered a candidate for hysterectomy (removal of the uterus). However, treatment by hysterectomy in a woman of reproductive age means that she will no longer be able to bear children and hysterectomy may have other effects, both physical and psychological, as well. A woman considering hysterectomy should discuss the pros and cons thoroughly with her physician and naturopath doctor(s).

More and more, physicians are beginning to realize that uterine fibroids may not require any intervention or, at most, limited treatment. For a woman with uterine fibroids that are not symptomatic the best therapy may be watchful waiting. Some women never exhibit any symptoms or have any problems associated with fibroids, in which case no treatment is necessary. For women who experience occasional pelvic pain or discomfort, a mild, over-the counter anti-inflammatory or painkilling drug often will be effective. More bothersome cases
may require stronger drugs available by prescription.

The Natural Approach

What you eat can be crucial because it can help to control excess levels of estrogen that can encourage the fibroid to grow. And if you need to have surgical treatment because a fibroid is preventing conception, for example, then it is crucial that you start eating well as soon as you can, even before the surgery, in order to prevent a fibroid from regrowing after it has been removed.

Your liver
Your liver detoxifies harmful substances, such as toxins, waste products, drugs and alcohol. It also processes the hormones that your body produces and renders them harmless. It is supposed to deactivate estrogen, but if your liver is not functioning efficiently, you can develop an accumulation of oestrogen because it is not being excreted properly. Again, this will encourage the growth of a fibroid. (We recommend Dandelion or Milk Thistle Combination)

Supplements

For best results, you should take your supplements over a period of three months, at the end of which you should be reassessed every month, in order to monitor improvements and changes and then adjust the supplement program according to your new condition.

The approach for controlling the excess bleeding from fibroids involves undertaking the same program which would be suggested for heavy periods (menorrhagia). The idea is to use vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids to control the main symptoms (heavy bleeding), while you use dietary changes to help control the growth of the fibroids

Multivitamin and Mineral

A good quality multivitamin and mineral would form the foundation of your supplement program to make sure that you are getting a 'little bit of everything'. You then add in those nutrients in slightly higher amounts which are known to be helpful for fibroids.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A is an antioxidant that generally helps to protect your cells against damage. It helps cells reproduce normally and is also needed for red blood cell production. Vitamin A deficiency has been found in women with heavy bleeding. One study showed that 92 percent of women prescribed supplemental vitamin A found that their heavy bleeding was either cured or alleviated.

B vitamins

The B vitamins are particularly important for heavy periods for a number of reasons. First and foremost, they are needed by the liver to convert excess estrogen into weaker and less dangerous forms. One of the B vitamins, B6, is needed for the production of beneficial prostaglandins which help reduce abnormal blood clotting.