Uterine fibroids affect many women! This article explores natural solutions to shrink fibroids, such as diet (fruits, veggies!), vitamins (D & B6), and herbs (Vitex, Curcumin), for a holistic approach.
Fibroids are non-cancerous growths in the uterus. They are more likely to occur in women over 30 or those with a family history of fibroids. Fibroids are also more common in women with no history of pregnancy and those living with obesity and nutritional deficiencies like vitamin D deficiency (What Are the Risk Factors for Uterine Fibroids?, 2018).
Fibroids are also known by other names like leiomyomas. They emerge from uterine smooth muscle cells and fibrous tissues. Although the issue is prevalent, it often remains undiagnosed. Even opinion about their prevalence varies. However, it seems that fibroids are present in about half of all women by the time they reach the age of 50 (Harmon et al., 2023).
It is a pretty common problem but often remains undiagnosed because fibroids may or may not produce any obvious symptoms. They are usually diagnosed by chance during a checkup for other causes, especially when undergoing ultrasound imaging. However, in some women, fibroids may cause heavy bleeding, low back pain, constipation, pain, and discomfort during sex (Fibroids, 2017).
The growth and development of uterine fibroid tumors have been shown to be caused by several genetic, hormonal, and biological factors. Estrogen is one of these factors that plays a critical role in these growths since fibroids are considered to be estrogen-dependent. There have not been any prepubertal cases recorded or described in medical literature, and the tumors tend to regress after menopause (Borahay et al., 2017).
Hence, they are sensitive to hormonal influences, including estrogen and progesterone. In many women, most fibroids proliferate during their perimenopausal years, when the ratio of estrogen to progesterone increases, which explains why many treatment approaches involve decreasing estrogen dominance in the body.
Some risk factors for fibroid development include polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), early menarche, African American ethnicity, hypertension, estrogen dominance, and a family history of fibroids. Most women with fibroids may present with symptoms such as pelvic pain, abnormal uterine bleeding, anemia, fertility issues, pelvic pressure, bowel dysfunction, urinary frequency and urgency, low back pain, urinary retention, constipation, and difficult or painful sexual intercourse (De La Cruz & Buchanan, 2017).
Natural Remedies for Fibroids
Fibroids are often not treated, especially if they do not cause symptoms. Moreover, in many women, they disappear after menopause. People usually ask how to shrink fibroids, so these natural remedies are worth exploring!
Dietary Measures
First and foremost, before considering health supplements and herbs, it is crucial to make dietary changes. Increased intake of whole foods, as well as a higher dietary fiber intake, helps.
Eating a high diet rich in cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, kale, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and the like are good sources of a compound known as DIM (Diindolylmethane) and I3C (Indole-3-carbinol), which are known to bind to excess estrogen in the bloodstream and flushes it out of the body. Furthermore, they are known as antioxidants and help stimulate the natural detoxifying enzymes in the body. Make sure all produce are organic and pesticide-free as much as possible.
Boost your intake of fruits, vegetables, and berries. For example, strawberry extract is known to help. Similarly, fruits and berries rich in quercetin, lycopene, and resveratrol also help shrink myoma (Tinelli et al., 2021). Reduce intake of inflammation-causing foods like foods high in saturated fats, sugar, and red meat.
Furthermore, it is important to avoid high estrogenic foods like cow's milk and xenoestrogens (chemical compounds that mimic estrogen). Some examples of xenoestrogens are BPA plastics, phthalates, and more. These can be found in plastics, solvents, pesticides, body care items like synthetic perfumes, bath washes, hair products, household cleaning solvents, and many more. To be sure you are aware of the chemicals in your products, make sure to download the EWG Healthy Living app! It is also important to consider alternatives to hormonal birth control pills and contraceptives.
Herbal Remedies For Fibroids
There is a long list of herbal remedies beneficial for fibroids, but this blog post will focus on a few of them.
Vitex/Chasteberry
Vitex Agnus Castus (VAC) is known to contain progesterone-like organic compounds. Thus, it is good for postmenopausal syndrome. It is not just suitable for shrinking fibroids but also for reducing the risk of breast cancer. It may also relieve certain premenopausal and postmenopausal symptoms. It is among the most effective herbs for fibroids (Grandi et al., 2023).
Curcumin
Curcumin, one of the active compounds in turmeric, is also among the most popular health supplements. It has many health benefits but is especially good for reducing inflammation. It also has immunomodulatory and antioxidant action. It is known to reduce the risk of various atypical growths in the body. Experimental studies show that it also has some direct impact on fibroids. Thus, it could be regarded as one of the good natural remedies to shrink fibroids (Tsuiji et al., 2011).
Milk Thistle
Milk thistle may not directly impact fibroids but may help prevent them and arrest their growth. It helps in a few ways, like improving liver and gut health, reducing inflammation, and modulating immunity. It is excellent for preventing uterine fibroids, though it may also sometimes help shrink them (Vafaei et al., 2023).
Dandelion Root
One of the good things about this natural remedy is its availability. It grows widely in most of Europe. However, now studies show that this plant also has many health benefits. It can help reduce inflammation, modulate immunity, and improve liver and gut health; thus, it is among the recommended natural remedies to shrink fibroids (Vafaei et al., 2023).
Vitamin D
About one-third of women are living with significant vitamin D deficiency. Its deficiency is proven to be associated with a higher risk of fibroids. Vitamin D plays a vital role in regulating immunity and is among the important vitamins needed for producing sex hormones. It is also good for metabolic health. Hence, its adequate intake is associated with a range of health benefits. Clinical studies show that about ten weeks of vitamin D supplementation may help shrink fibroids in most instances. So, this is the best of the vitamins for fibroids (Hajhashemi et al., 2019). Make sure to get the best source of vitamin D, which is the sun, between 10 and 11 am, for about 30 minutes to 1 hour daily.
Vitamin B6
This vitamin is essential for nerve health and immune function. Further, vitamin Bs play an important role in energy production and metabolic health. Numerous studies have confirmed that adequate intake of these substances may help prevent fibroids. Studies show that vitamin B6, when used with herbals and vitamin D, may also help shrink fibroids (Miriello et al., 2021). It is important to take a BComplex vitamin to avoid deficiency in other b vitamins.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
These are essential fatty acids. Among omega-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are associated with many health benefits. Omega-3 fatty acids are good for metabolic health and can modulate lipid profile. Since inflammation and dysregulation of fatty acid metabolism play a significant role in fibroids development, there is a firm reason to believe that higher omega-3 intake may help prevent and shrink fibroids. Some studies suggest that higher omega-3 fatty acids intake is associated with lower fibroids risk, and they have a role in managing the condition (Islam et al., 2018).
What To Remember
Fibroids or myomas are pretty common. Although they do not increase cancer risk, they might cause much distress in many women. Hence, considering natural remedies to prevent and overcome fibroids is a good idea! Dietary measures, and some herbs and supplements have been shown to shrink tumors.
If you or your loved ones are dealing with fibroids and are interested in holistic and alternative measures to help shrink fibroids and optimize your health naturally, book a holistic wellness consultation with us for a personalized protocol to get results using this link: https://www.earthandvitality.com/service-page/holistic-wellness-consultation?referral=service_list_widget
References
Borahay, M. A., Asoglu, M. R., Mas, A., Adam, S., Kilic, G. S., & Al-Hendy, A. (2017). Estrogen Receptors and Signaling in Fibroids: Role in Pathobiology and Therapeutic Implications. Reproductive sciences (Thousand Oaks, Calif.), 24(9), 1235–1244. https://doi.org/10.1177/1933719116678686
De La Cruz, M. S., & Buchanan, E. M. (2017). Uterine Fibroids: Diagnosis and Treatment. American family physician, 95(2), 100–107.
Fibroids. (2017, October 19). Nhs.Uk. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/fibroids/ Grandi, G., Facchinetti, F., Melotti, C., & Sgandurra, A. (2023). Phyto-progestins for the treatment of abnormal uterine bleeding without organic cause in women at high risk for breast cancer and breast cancer survivors: A prospective, pilot study. Gynecological Endocrinology: The Official Journal of the International Society of Gynecological Endocrinology, 39(1), 2239936. https://doi.org/10.1080/09513590.2023.2239936
Hajhashemi, M., Ansari, M., Haghollahi, F., & Eslami, B. (2019). The effect of vitamin D supplementation on the size of uterine leiomyoma in women with vitamin D deficiency. Caspian Journal of Internal Medicine, 10(2), 125–131. https://doi.org/10.22088/cjim.10.2.125
Harmon, Q. E., Actkins, K. V., & Baird, D. D. (2023). Fibroid Prevalence—Still So Much to Learn. JAMA Network Open, 6(5), e2312682. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.12682
Islam, M. S., Castellucci, C., Fiorini, R., Greco, S., Gagliardi, R., Zannotti, A., Giannubilo, S. R., Ciavattini, A., Frega, N. G., Pacetti, D., & Ciarmela, P. (2018). Omega-3 fatty acids modulate the lipid profile, membrane architecture, and gene expression of leiomyoma cells. Journal of Cellular Physiology, 233(9), 7143–7156. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcp.26537
Miriello, D., Galanti, F., Cignini, P., Antonaci, D., Schiavi, M. C., & Rago, R. (2021). Uterine fibroids treatment: Do we have new valid alternative? Experiencing the combination of vitamin D plus epigallocatechin gallate in childbearing-age-affected women. European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences, 25(7), 2843–2851. https://doi.org/10.26355/eurrev_202104_25537
Tinelli, A., Vinciguerra, M., Malvasi, A., Andjić, M., Babović, I., & Sparić, R. (2021). Uterine Fibroids and Diet. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(3), 1066. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18031066
Tsuiji, K., Takeda, T., Li, B., Wakabayashi, A., Kondo, A., Kimura, T., & Yaegashi, N. (2011). Inhibitory effect of curcumin on uterine leiomyoma cell proliferation. Gynecological Endocrinology: The Official Journal of the International Society of Gynecological Endocrinology, 27(7), 512–517. https://doi.org/10.3109/09513590.2010.507287
Vafaei, S., Ciebiera, M., Omran, M. M., Ghasroldasht, M. M., Yang, Q., Leake, T., Wolfe, R., Ali, M., & Al-Hendy, A. (2023). Evidence-Based Approach for Secondary Prevention of Uterine Fibroids (The ESCAPE Approach). International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 24(21), 15972. What are the risk factors for uterine fibroids? (2018, November 2). NICHD - Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/uterine/conditioninfo/people-affected
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