What are uterine fibroids? Uterine fibroids are bundles of smooth muscle and connective tissue that can be as small as a pea or as large as a grapefruit. Although they are sometimes called “tumors,” fibroids are not cancerous. However, because they disrupt the blood vessels and glands in the uterus, they can cause bleeding and loss of other fluids. Perhaps thirty percent of women over age thirty have at least one fibroid. Hysterectomies due to fibroids are the most common indication for major surgery in women. The overwhelming majority of uterine fibroids are without symptoms, but they can produce vague feelings of discomfort, pressure, congestion, bloating, heaviness; and can also produce pain during intercourse, increased urinary frequency, backache, abdominal enlargement, and abnormal bleeding. Uterine fibroids can undergo degenerative changes with necrosis, resulting in cystic degeneration and calcification can occur. What causes of uterine fibroids? Increases in local estrogen (specifically estradiol) concentration within the fibroid itself are thought to play a role in the cause and growth.
Concentrations of estrogen receptors in fibroid tissue are higher than in the surrounding tissue. In addition to an excess of estrogen production within the body, a strong case can be made that the role of the most significant environmental factor assaulting female hormonal health – compounds known as xenoestrogens. These compounds are also known in the scientific community by the names: endocrine or hormone disrupters, and environmental estrogens, hormonally active agents, estrogenic substances, estrogenic xenobiotics, and bioactive chemicals. Examples of xenoestrogens: phthalates (plastics); Xenoestrogens enhance or block the effects of estrogen in the body by binding to estrogen receptors. They also promote a shift from healthy estrogen breakdown products to cancer causing estrogen metabolites. Are there specific foods to help improve uterine fibroids? The most important dietary recommendations are to eat a high fiber diet rich in phytoestrogens while avoiding saturated fat, sugar, and caffeine.
These simple changes can dramatically reduce circulating estrogen levels and reduce estrogen’s influence on the fibroid. One study looked at what happened when women switched from the standard American diet (40 percent of calories from fat, only 12 grams of fiber daily) to healthier diet (25 percent of calories from fat, 40 grams of fiber). Results showed a thirty-six percent reduction in blood estrogen levels within eight to ten weeks. Phytoestrogens or plant estrogens are able to bind to the same cell receptors as the estrogen your body produces. That’s a good thing, because when phytoestrogens occupy the “parking places,” estrogen can’t produce effects on cells. By competing with estrogen, phytoestrogen causes a drop in estrogen effects, and are thus sometimes called antiestrogens. Great sources of phytoestrogens include soy and soy foods, ground flaxseeds, and nuts and seeds. In particular, I recommend eating 1-2 tablespoons of ground flaxseeds daily (personally, I like FortiFlax from Barlean’s).
What supplements do you recommend for uterine fibroids? Reducing the size of uterine fibroids as well as the symptoms with natural medicines are easily accomplished goals in most cases. Unfortunately, this statement is supported more on clinical experiences of naturopathic physicians such as myself rather than on scientific evidence. Though the approach is scientifically rationale, i.e., if uterine fibroids are caused by an excess of estrogen produced in the body as well as the effects of xenoestrogens it makes sense that reducing estrogenic influences should shrink uterine fibroids. Here are the key supplement recommendations that I give using Natural Factors products:High potency multiple vitamin and mineral formula; Vitamin D3 2,000-5,000 IU/day; Fish oil, EPA+DHA 1,000 to 3,000 mg/day. EstroSense – a specialty formula designed to reduce toxic effects of estrogen and xenoestrogens. Take 2 capsules twice daily. Estrosense provides a number of compounds that have been shown to be beneficial in helping to detoxify and eliminate excess estrogens including:
Indole-3-carbinol (I3C), di-indoylmethane (DIM), and sulfurophane – anti-cancer phytonutrients found in cruciferous vegetables. Research has shown that these compounds helps to breakdown cancer-causing estrogens to non-toxic forms. Calcium D-glucarate – prevents the reabsorption of excreted estrogens. Green tea polyphenols – block the negative effects of estrogen and have been shown to be protective against estrogen-related cancers.– the most widely used and thoroughly studied natural approach to menopause. The standard dose of black cohosh is based upon the delivery of 1-2 mg of the compound 27-deoxyacteine twice daily. In addition to clinical studies showing black cohosh extract is a safe, natural alternative in relieving menopausal symptoms, it has also been shown to be useful in relieving uterine fibroids. How do I know if the recommendations are working? Since most uterine fibroids are without symptoms, in most cases monitoring involves measuring the size of the fibroid by ultrasound.
The Natural Approach to Endometriosis: Getting to Your Root Causes Uterine fibroids are noncancerous growths of the smooth muscle within the uterine wall. They are the most common benign pelvic tumor in women. Up to 75% of women will have uterine fibroids at some point during their lives, with the majority causing no symptoms and occurring during the reproductive years. Fortunately, natural integrative interventions such as green tea may help ease symptoms associated with fibroids. Risk Factors for Uterine Fibroids Higher estrogen and progesterone levels Higher body weight and body mass index (BMI) Ethnicity (African-American women have a 3-fold greater risk as compared to Caucasian women) Women with a first-degree relative with uterine fibroids have a 2.5-fold increased chance of developing fibroids themselves Symptoms Associated with Uterine Fibroids Uterine fibroids often do not cause noticeable signs or symptoms, but may present with the following:
Heavy, prolonged menstrual bleeding Pelvic pain or fullness Increased urinary frequency or incontinence For fibroids that require intervention, treatment can be approached medically or surgically. Drugs (gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists, anti-progestogen therapy, tranexamic acid, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [NSAIDs]) Minimally-invasive procedures (uterine artery embolization, endometrial ablation, and magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound surgery) Surgical procedures (hysterectomy and myomectomy) Note: A surgical procedure known as uterine power morcellation involves shredding uterine tissue into smaller pieces so that it may be removed through laparoscopic surgery. Life Extension reported on the dangers of this procedure in its July 2014 issue and on the FDA’s lack of oversight and insufficient protection of women from this procedure.Natural Therapies for Uterine Fibroids Lifestyle and Dietary Changes: Consume greater quantities of vegetables, fruits, and dairy products with an emphasis on lower glycemic index foods