An Herbalist's Approach To Uterine Fibroids

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Beyond the “nurse talk” back in high school, women don’t get enough education about their bodies. How to know when things are going well? And what are the signs and symptoms when something needs addressing?

In November, I plan to focus on Women’s reproductive health:

🪆Week 1: Estrogen, Progesterone & Reproductive Health

🪆Week 2: Natural Care PMS & PMDD

🪆Week 3: Holistic Approach To Uterine Fibroid

🪆Week 4: Herbal Support For Reproductive Health

We tend to keep reproductive health out of the conversation because we feel shy about our bodies. Silence keeps us uninformed, which might lead to living with debilitating symptoms for years or even worse, not being able to hear the alarm bells sounding when something is wrong.

What are uterine fibroids?

Many women experience heavy bleeding and painful menstruation every month. These women are unaware that these symptoms are not normal and could be signs of uterine fibroids, benign growths of the uterine muscles that can occur in or outside the uterus.

Uterine fibroids and heavy bleeding are caused by excess estrogen. The number of estrogen and progesterone receptors on the fibroid itself is much higher than in normal uterine tissue or uterine cells, making the tissue highly sensitive to the proliferative effects of estrogen.

Exposure to estrogen, therefore, increases your risk of uterine fibroids.

• Using oral contraceptives

• Chronic alcohol use as alcohol increases estrogen.

• Exposure to Xenoestrogens.

• Obesity - fat tissue is not passive; instead, it releases enzymes and hormones, such as aromatase, which converts androgens to estrogen, increasing overall estrogen levels in the body. Obesity doubles and triples the risk of developing fibroids.

• Dysbiosis, especially, increases the rates of gram-negative bacteria. Gram-negative bacteria unlock the binding of estrogen to bile, increasing gut reabsorption of estrogen, and leading to more estrogen-dominant symptoms.

• Additionally, dysbiosis reduces metabolic rate, leading to constipation and increased estrogen reabsorption.

Symptoms of uterine fibroids

Most women have small fibroids in their uterus; however, for some women, fibroids come with?

• Heavy bleeding, leading to anemia

• Fertility issues

• Painful periods.

• Painful intercourse

• Urinary frequency and urgency

• Disruption to bowel movement

Uterine fibroids typically reduce in size once estrogen levels decline in menopause. However, for some women who suffer from symptoms, waiting for menopause is unrealistic.

Conventional medicine offers ablation, removing the fibroid using extreme heat or cold. However, these interventions do not solve the problem if the underlying hormonal imbalance is not addressed.

How to reduce estrogen?

Estrogen is a growth hormone. Its role is to thicken the uterine walls in preparation for a fetus. Estrogen promotes the production of tissue and blood vessels.

Fibroids are a sign of estrogen dominance, which means that either you are high in estrogen or low in progesterone, the reproductive hormone that balances estrogen by thinning and smoothing the uterine lining.

Reducing estrogen is a multifaceted process:

Reducing Xenoestrogens

Xenoestrogens are synthetic chemicals that mimic the effects of natural estrogen in the body. Some common sources of xenoestrogens are:

• Hormones fed to animals

• Pesticides

• Plastics

• Some cosmetic products

• HRT drugs

Support liver detox pathways for estrogen

Estrogen is detoxified by phase 2 liver detox. It is then bound to bile and shuttled through the small intestines to the colon for final elimination.

• Eat bitter foods and use bitter herbs to increase bile production.

• Eat vegetables from the cruciferous family that potentiate phase two liver detox.

• Indole-3-carbinol is a compound found in veggies from the cruciferous family that can promote the breakdown of estrogen. Consider adding it to your supplements.

• Add a daily dose of citrus fruit.

• Include foods rich in polyphenols in your daily diet to help counteract the oxidative stress associated with detoxification.

Heal your gut and support a healthy microbiome

Obesity and dysbiosis feed each other, creating a vicious cycle that increases estrogen and reduces its elimination.

• Add fiber to your diet by incorporating 1/2 cup of leafy greens into your meals.

• Add probiotics - fermented foods.

• Reduce simple carbs and processed foods.

• Increase your intake of soluble fiber from fruits and legumes.

• Add probiotics, especially fermented foods, if no histamine intolerance.

Reduce inflammation

Fibroids are inflammatory, while chronic, sustained inflammation may create an environment that promotes abnormal smooth muscle cell proliferation and maintains it. Reducing inflammation is crucial for maintaining a healthy gut and achieving hormonal balance. To reduce inflammation, you want to:

• Add 1/2 lb of cold-water fish twice a week to your diet.

• Consider adding fish oil.

• Avoid red meat and ham.

• Add vitamin D/K2

• Add two Brazilian nuts daily.

Some research suggests a connection between the mind and body in the case of uterine fibroids. Although not backed by science, it is obvious that heavy bleeding and pain are stressful. Manage stress and prioritize sleep.

Block estrogen receptors with phytoestrogen

Phytoestrogens are plant-based compounds that can bind to estrogen receptors and modulate their function by:

• Occupying the receptors with weaker activity than endogenous estrogen

• Helping balance estrogen metabolism

• Supporting overall hormonal equilibrium

Some phytoestrogens to consider are red clover, hops, soy, and legumes.

Stimulating blood flow and lymphatic drainage: Castor oil and Maya abdominal massage can help relieve some symptoms and improve quality of life.

Consider supplementing with hem iron if ferritin is under 30.

Herbs for uterine fibroids

Styptic herbs

Styptic herbs can help reduce heavy bleeding, while anti-spasmodic herbs can ease the pain associated with fibroids.

• Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

• Cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum)

Alterative herbs

Alterative herbs help address the underlying tissue stagnation and metabolic dysfunction. Some alterative to consider are:

• Red clover (Trifolium pratense L)

• Burdock (Arctium lappa)

• Violet (Viola)

cramp bark (Viburnum opulus)

Cramp bark is a uterine tonic and an antisposmadic that increases uterine tone and relaxes the uterine muscles.

For fibroids, it can ease the intense cramps during menstruation and help the uterus relax when it’s working harder due to the presence of fibroids. It is also indicated when the pain radiates to the lower back or when it causes urinary spasm, constriction, or pressure on the bladder.

Maybe respecting our bodies means slowing down and being graceful with ourselves because these hormonal ups and downs that we women experience every month between puberty and menopause are not just a myth; they do affect almost every facet of our lives.

I’d love to hear how you’re finding ways to grow your health. Please join the conversation and leave a comment below!

This document is for educational and informational purposes only and solely as a self-help tool for your own use. I am not providing medical, psychological, or nutrition therapy advice. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting your own medical practitioner. Always seek the advice of your own medical practitioner and/or mental health provider about your specific health situation.