Uterine Fibroids are benign uterine muscle tumors of smooth muscle origin that cause enlargement and distortion of the uterus in pre-menopausal women.
Fibroids are the most frequently seen tumors of the female Reproductive System and are firm, compact tumors that are made of smooth muscle cells and fibrous connective tissue that develop in the uterus.
• Uterine Fibroids are the most common reason for hysterectomy, but unless the fibroids are causing significant problems, it is best to avoid such a drastic step.
• Uterine Fibroids is also known as uterine myomas, leiomyomas, or fibromas.
Facts on Uterine Fibroids
• It is not clearly known what causes fibroids, but it is believed that each fibroid develops from an aberrant muscle cell in the uterus, which multiplies rapidly because of the influence of estrogen.
• In more than 99% of fibroid cases, the tumors are benign (non-Cancerous).
• Fibroids are not associated with Cancer
• Fibroids 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 small Grapefruit.
• It is estimated that between 20-50% of women of Reproductive age have fibroids (not all are diagnosed).
• 30-77% of women will develop fibroids sometime during their childbearing years.
• Only about one-third of fibroids are large enough to be detected by a health care provider during a physical examination.
• Research shows that, women who have had two liveborn children have one-half the risk of developing Uterine Fibroids compared to women who have had no children.
Who is at Risk of Uterine Fibroid Tumours?
• Women who are approaching Menopause are at the greatest risk for fibroids because of their long exposure to high levels of estrogen.
• Women who are obese.
• Women of African-American heritage (reasons unknown).
• Fibroids is thought to be a factor in infertility in women who had no children (inconclusive thought).
Reproductive System Diseases
1) Fibrocystic Mastopathy
2) Dysmenorrhea
3) Sexual Impotence
4) Prostatic Adenoma (Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy)
5) Fibroids
How Uterine Fibroids are Diagnosed Clinically
• Routine pelvic examination.
• X-ray
• Transvaginal ultrasound (also called ultrasonography)
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• Hysterosalpingography
• Hysteroscopy
• Endometrial biopsy
• Blood test (to check for Iron-deficiency Anemia if heavy bleeding is caused by the tumor).
Clinical Treatment for Uterine Fibroids
• Most fibroids stop growing or may even shrink as a woman approaches Menopause.
• Hysterectomy – The surgical removal of the entire uterus.
• Conservative surgical therapy/myomectomy – Physicians will remove the fibroids, but leave the uterus intact to enable a future Pregnancy.
• Gonadotropin-releasing Hormone agonists [GnRH agonists] – Lowering levels of estrogen and triggering a “medical Menopause.”
• Anti-hormonal agents – Certain drugs oppose estrogen (such as progestin and Danazol), and appear effective in treating fibroids.
• Uterine artery embolization/Uterine Fibroids embolization/uterine artery embolization (UAE) – A newer minimally-invasive (without a large abdominal incision) technique where The Arteries supplying blood to the fibroids are identified, then embolized (blocked off).
• Anti-Inflammatory painkillers – This type of drug is often effective for women who experience occasional pelvic pain or discomfort.
Clinical Treatment for Uterine Fibroids
• Heavy or prolonged Menstrual periods.
• Abnormal bleeding between Menstrual periods.
• Pelvic pain (caused as the tumor presses on pelvic organs).
• Frequent urination.
• Low Back Pain.
• Pain during intercourse.
• A firm mass, often located near the middle of the pelvis.
Uterine Fibroids Treatment Actions
Uterine Fibroids Treatment Actions
• Uterine Tonics support the general health and Vitality of the uterus.
• Uterine Astringents reduce blood loss.
• Alteratives often help in health problems associated with benign growths.
• Anti-Spasmodics will lessen cramping pains.
• Lymphatics support the drainage of fluid from the womb.
• Immune support may be appropriate.
Prescription for Uterine Fibroids
• Blue Cohosh (2 parts)
• Periwinkle (2 parts)
• Chaste Tree (1 part)
• Black Cohosh (1 part)
• Wild Yam (1 part)
• Cleavers (1 part)
Dosage: – 2.5 ml of tincture three times a day. This formula can be made stronger by adding more Anti-Spasmodic or Astringent remedies.
Actions Supplied by Prescription for Uterine Fibroids
• Uterine Tonic (Blue Cohosh, Black Cohosh).
• Uterine Astringent (Periwinkle).
• Alterative (Cleavers, Black Cohosh, Blue Cohosh).
• Anti-Spasmodic (Black Cohosh).
• Lymphatic (Cleavers).
Herbal Remedies for Tumours (Benign & Malignant)
1) A good double handful of Horsetail is put into a sieve and this is placed over a pot of boiling water. The soft, hot herbs are placed between a pieces of linen and applied to the tumour, growth, cyst, ulcer, adenoma, melanoma, papilloma, or hematoma.
• In very serious cases the application of the plaster is started in the morning while the patient is still in bed and left on for 2 hours.
• In the afternoon it is applied again while in bed for 2 hours, and again overnight.
2) During midday Swedish Bitters as a dressing is applied for 4 hours. First the area is smeared with oil or Calendula ointment, then a piece of cotton wool, moistened with Swedish Bitters, and a dry piece of Cotton wool on top is applied, covered with a piece of plastic and finally well wrapped with a cloth.
• After removal of the dressing, the skin has to be powdered to prevent the development of a rash.
3) Fresh Plantain and Cow Parsnip leaves are applied as a plaster for tumours, ulcers and growths which are external.
• Regularly and continuously applied, this plasters can bring about an improvement on the 5th day and a result after 10-14 days.
4) The freshly pressed juice of Wood Sorrel (the leaves are washed and still wet put in the juice extractor) rubbed on the affected area is effective.
5) One (1) cup of Horsetail tea is drunk half an hour before Breakfast and another cup half an hour before the evening meal.
• 1.5-2 litres of a tea made from 300gm Calendula, 100gm Yarrow and 100gm Stinging Nettle (well-mixed) is drunk during the day. 3-5 drops of Wood Sorrel juice are added per cup of this tea. 6 times a day, if possible, a cup of the tea is taken in intervals of one hour.
