By Elizabeth Hartland
Uterine fibroids most often occur in women in their twenties to late forties and are found in at least 40% of women who reach menopause. Left to themselves, fibroids naturally shrink after menopause, provided the body does not have excess oestrogen.
What are fibroids?
They are firm, benign lumps, made of smooth muscle and fibrous tissue located either outside or inside the uterus. They range in size from a pea to a melon, but are usually about the size of an orange. Unlike cancer, they do not invade surrounding tissue or distant organs and so very rarely become cancerous. However, women with fibroids do have an increased risk of developing uterine cancer, because of elevated oestrogen.
Symptoms of fibroids
Pain is unusual. The symptoms can be influenced by the location of the fibroids. For example, those growing in the wall of the uterus usually cause much bleeding. Heavy bleeding can lead to serious iron-deficiency anaemia. The weight of the fibroids can weaken the pelvic floor muscles, causing discomfort and pressure on the bladder causing frequent urination.
Some fibroids develop a long narrow stalk as they extend to the pelvic cavity. These can break down, degenerate and cause pain. For many women, fibroids are only diagnosed at an annual pelvic examination and cause no real problems; however, for 50% of women symptoms can develop that are severe enough to have a major impact on their quality of life.
Fibroids often coexist with other gynaecological complaints such as PMS, menstrual cramps, ovarian cysts, endometriosis, heavy menstrual flow, and non-ovulating cycles.
Symptoms
▪ Heavy bleeding (and possible anaemia)
▪ Painful periods
▪ Irregular periods
▪ Pelvic pressure
▪ Urinary frequency.
▪ Infertility
Contributory causes
▪ Excess oestrogen
Fibroids are much more sensitive than normal muscle tissue to oestrogen stimulation, which causes the fibroids to grow. Normally they shrink and even disappear during menopause when oestrogen levels decline. Oestrogen levels can become high by exposure to xenoestrogens (oestrogens from the environment), HRT, and birth control pills which also stimulate the growth of uterine fibroids.
▪ Stress
Both emotional and physical.
▪ Poor nutrition
High saturated fat: especially intake of meat and dairy products. The synthetic hormones usually found in meat and dairy products give rise to hormonal imbalance; alcohol; sugar; caffeine: there is a definite correlation; Essential fatty acid deficiency; Over acid diet producing waste toxins in the body that are poorly eliminated.
▪ Obesity
▪ Alcohol induced diabetes
▪ Hereditary
The tendency to develop fibroids often runs in families and is more prevalent in women who have not had children.
Treatment
Whatever treatment is chosen there is no quick fix and it can be a long-term healing process.A healthy lifestyle can play a beneficial role in relieving and preventing symptoms of fibroids.
Sometimes the fibroids can be surgically removed while still leaving the uterus intact.This operation is called a myomectomy. It is a complicated and very skilled procedure and so it is simpler for the surgeon to take out the whole uterus.
There are many steps you can take before succumbing to drastic and risky surgery. The main aim is to rebalance the progesterone and oestrogen hormones and alleviate complications through diet and supplements.
Dietary recommendations
▪ High fibre: helps absorb and excrete oestrogen.
▪ Low animal fat.
▪ Essential fatty acids: flaxseed oil, oily fish, seeds, green leafy vegetables.
▪ Stimulate the liver by using lemon juice and bitter greens in salads – dandelion greens, endive, raddichio.
▪ Adequate high quality protein mainly from vegetable sources such as sea vegetables, whole grains, tofu, sprouted beans, lentils, pulses.
▪ Foods high in B vitamins such as brown rice, wheatgerm, legumes, nuts, potatoes.
▪ High iodine foods (kombu, kelp, dulse, alflafa, watercress) to help support thyroid.
▪ Chlorophyll-rich foods: dark green leafy vegetables contain nutrients that alkalise the system.
▪ Avoid salt and fried foods.
▪ Avoid sugar and refined foods because they can cause iodine deficiency.
Other recommendations
▪ Decrease oestrogen overload
▪ Limit exposure to plastics, and chemicals.
▪ Check your thyroid. An underactive thyroid is usually associated with fibroids. Too much oestrogen can inhibit the function of the thyroid hormones
▪ Avoid IUD’s and X-rays as much as possible as these change cell function and structure.
▪ Remember synthetic oestrogen increases the risk of uterine cancer.
▪ Increase circulation with regular exercise. Include pelvic exercises.
▪ With the help of a nutritionist check your adrenal function (how your body is dealing with stress).
▪ Sometimes emotions and internal conflicts play a role in fibroid formation. These may be resolved through counselling.
Other helpful therapies
▪ Acupuncture
▪ Homeopathy
▪ Herbal Medicine (Chinese)
▪ Hydrotherapy
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Elizabeth Hartland has a Bachelor of Science Degree in nutrition, together with a Diploma from the Institute of Nutritional Therapy. She is married with two young children and has a passion for good nutrition and helping others to find better health. 282 427 652
