It’s been estimated that by age 45, around 70% of people who have a uterus will develop at least one.
Fibroids are among the most common noncancerous tumors for people who have a uterus made of muscle and other tissues. These tumors range in size from a seed to larger than a tennis ball. and you can have one fibroid growth or several.
Although they aren’t life threathening, fibroids can sometimes cause complications and health problems such as heavy menstrual bleeding, constipation, anemia, difficulty getting pregnant and miscarriages.
Oftentimes, women will undergo a myomectomy to remove fibroids while preserving the uterus, and sometimes women will opt for a hysterectomy to completely remove the uterus to more efficiently prevent re-growth.
For some people, following fibroid diet suggestions and other natural remedies can help make a difference in their symptoms, so if you’ve learned that you have fibroids, and it’s not yet at a point where surgery is necessary, there are some lifestyle changes you can make to naturally heal your fibroids.
Diet
Eating foods with vitamin D may also have a protective benefit. Studies show that those who were deficient in vitamin D had the largest fibroids, and diets high in the following may be helpful to prevent or slow fibroid growth:
- Vitamin D heavy foods such as: milk and cereal, and of course sunlight is one of the best sources of vitamin D.
- Fish (especially oily fish such as salmon and mackerel)
- Lean meats (such as chicken and turkey)
- Green vegetables
- Legumes
- Citrus fruits
- Green tea
Weight Management
People who are overweight have been found to be at a higher risk of fibroids. One study found that people with a body fat percentage greater than 30% are at higher risk. Another noted that obese patients are two to three times more likely to develop fibroids.
By maintaining a healthy weight through a nutritious diet and exercise, you may be able to reduce your risk for uterine fibroids.
Herbal Medicine
The most common traditional Chinese medicine for uterine fibroids is Gui Zhi Fu Ling Tang, a combination of herbs that has been shown to be effective in treating menstrual cramps, either by itself or with standard treatment for fibroids. A study found that combining Gui Zhi Fu Ling Tang with the medication mifepristone, a standard therapy for fibroids was found to be more effective than mifepristone alone.
Herbal medication may have side effects and sometimes the available information on safety is limited. Let your doctor know if you are considering any herbal medicine.
Green Tea
Drinking green tea could help get rid of fibroids or manage their symptoms. A 2013 study found that the flavanol EGCG, found in green tea, reduced the size of uterine fibroids and improved symptoms of anemia and blood loss.
Acupuncture
While studies show that acupuncture can help with menstrual cramps and bleeding, there is little evidence on its effect on fibroids.
Those who try it may find it useful in combination with other natural remedies and standard medical therapy.
