What are Uterine Fibroids?

When you think of fibroids, your brain may automatically jump to the scary C word. But fibroids are not the same as cancer.

Uterine fibroids are tumours that that come from the same tissue as the uterus. They grow at a modest rate, and are affected by hormones like estrogen and progesterone.

Uterine Fibroid Risk Factors

Some of the risk factors for uterine fibroids include:

• Increasing age, around 40-50 years old
• Family history of uterine fibroids
• Getting your period before 12 year old
• African American
• Obesity

Types of Uterine Fibroids

Subserosal Uterine Fibroids

These fibroids project outside of the uterus. Surgical removal isn't typically recommended and they don't appear to impact fertility.

Submucosal Uterine Fibroids

These fibroids project within the uterus and can impact fertility in a negative way by affecting implantation rates, clinical pregnancy rates, ongoing pregnancy, miscarriage and live birth rates. Pregnancy rates may improve following surgical removal of the fibroids.

Intramural Uterine Fibroids

These fibroids are found within the myometrium (middle layer of uterine wall). They may affect fertility by negatively impacting implantation and clinical pregnancy rates.

Signs and Symptoms of Uterine Fibroids

The most common symptom is heavy, prolonged or abnormal bleeding. Unsurprisingly this can be followed by iron deficiency anemia.

You may also notice pelvic pain or pressure, although this is rare. And obstructive symptoms may present with larger fibroids.

Fertility may also be impacted depending on the type of fibroid you have.

Confirming the Presence of Uterine Fibroids

Palpation can give you an idea if you have fibroids, but you'll need a more definitive diagnosis - preferably with imaging.

Two of the most common (and least invasive) tests are:

• Transvaginal and transabdominal ultrasonography
• MRI

Uterine Fibroids in Fertility

Depending on the location of your fibroid, it may decrease your fertility. Fibroids may decrease implantation and clinical pregnancy rates, based on where they present. Intramural and submucosal will affect fertility more than subserosal.

Uterine Fibroids in Pregnancy

Fibroids might remain the same size or become smaller in pregnancy. In the postpartum period, fibroids may shrink or completely disappear.

Sometimes they may have an impact on pregnancy outcomes, including an increased risk of malpresentation of your baby, increased chance of c-section, and increased risk of preterm delivery.

Treating Uterine Fibroids Naturally

Uterine fibroid treatment is dependent on the symptoms you're experiencing.

If you're not experiencing any symptoms, then doctors usually take a watch and wait approach. If you are experiencing symptoms, then treatment depends on your desire for fertility.

There are many drugs out there for the treatment of fibroids, and if you're familiar with my website, I often focus on natural alternatives instead. Moreover, if you're here because your fibroids are affecting your fertility, many of the recommended treatments wouldn't be compatible (ex. birth control).

It's important to note that natural therapies may not make your fibroid completely disappear. And this is one of the conditions where we're focusing on the symptoms you're experiencing.

Nutrition and Uterine Fibroids

One of the goals when you have fibroids is to adopt an anti-inflammatory diet. This means whole foods, fresh and organic fruits and vegetables, cold-pressed oils, oily fish, and nuts and seeds.

Sadly this leads to an avoidance of red meat, processed foods, refined carbohydrates, sugar, saturated fats, fried foods, dairy, caffeine, and alcohol.

Fibre is very important in assisting the elimination of estrogen and promoting bowel movements. Before you chug back some psyllium husk, berries and leafy greens are a great source of soluble fibre (the type of fibre that bulks up your stool). An easy way to ensure you're getting enough fibre during the day is to start your morning off with a berry and spinach smoothie (ps. don't forget the fat and protein!).

Lifestyle and Uterine Fibroids

Because obesity plays a role in fibroid development, it may be helpful to achieve a healthy body weight. Obviously many factors (ex. hormones) affect weight, so one of the simplest ways to start to process is to focus on nutrition.

Stored fat is often transformed into estrogen which may become stored in the body and ultimately affect hormones.

Liver Support and Uterine Fibroids

Yes, I brought up the liver because it detoxes! While we know that your liver knows how to detox. It's important to consider that it may be burdened with outside estrogens. This may be affecting how your fibroids grow, and ultimately, this might slow down its detoxing job.

Detoxification happens in 2 steps, and if you don't have the necessary nutrients for both, your liver may not do its best work. So what's a person to do? Instead of tossing a pre-packaged detox into your cart, make sure you're eating a variety of protein, getting your daily dose of B vitamins, and making broccoli (and other brassica vegetables) are you friend.

Once your liver gets these toxins out, they still need to be excreted via urine or stool. A healthy gut microbiome and frequent bowel movements will ensure that estrogen is not recirculated back into your system. But if you experience constipation (ex. less than 1 bowel movement per day) or uncomfortable digestive symptoms, then you may need some digestive support.

Nutrients and Uterine Fibroids

These vary and are based on the symptoms you may be experiencing. However, one important nutrient will be iron, especially if you're noticing excessive menstrual bleeding (losing over 90mL of blood each cycle). Having your ferritin tested, will give your ND an idea if you should be supplementing.

Other nutrient actions that may be beneficial are anti-inflammatories, immune support, and specific antioxidants.

Herbs and Uterine Fibroids

This is another category that varies based on your symptoms and goals. We may want to consider:

• Hormonal modulators (to improve hormonal regulation)
• Liver tonics (to support liver detox)
• Uterine tonics (to improve uterine tone)
• Uterine astringents (to reduce uterine bleeding)
• Uterine stimulants (to relieve pelvic stagnation)
• Uterine antispasmodics (to reduce pain)

Obviously this is a huge list, and I haven't listed off any herbs - mostly because you should be taking them under the supervision of a ND or herbalist.

Acupuncture and Uterine Fibroids

It's no secret that I love acupuncture the most out of all my tools. This can't be done at home, and should be done in your Naturopath's or Acupuncturist's office.

In the case fibroids, your ND will likely focus on ensuring the smooth flow of energy and movement of blood throughout the body. A few treatments are typically needed to see results (it's not a one and done type of treatment).

Final Thoughts

If you're experiencing heavy bleeding, it's important to know that fibroids may be the reason why. Moreover, they may also interfere with your fertility.

If you're hoping to retain your fertility and address your symptoms through a natural lens, feel free to try some of the above ways or work with a Naturopathic Doctor.

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