NaturalMedications

Home Medications and Treatments for Uterine Fibroids

Fibroids and/or endometriosis affects millions of women during their reproductive years. Uterine fibroids are noncancerous growths on the wall of the uterus that tend to develop in women past the age of 35. Pregnancy, oral contraceptives, and estrogen will often enlarge these growths.  In the majority of cases, though, natural treatments can help a woman avoid such are a benign overgrowth of muscle tissue within the or within the uterine wall. 

Jump to - Symptoms, Causes , Treatment, Other suggestions

Symptoms of Uterine Fibroids

Common symptoms of fibroids include heavy bleeding in addition to frequent urination, pain during intimacy, constipation, bloating, abdominal pain, and chronic back aches.  While these symptoms may be uncomfortable, they are generally not harmful. More serious symptoms include anemia caused by heavy menstrual blood loss and bowel or bladder discomfort ,if the fibroids grow in such a way that they put pressure on the intestines or bladder. If there is not an immediate health threat, you have time to experiment with dietary changes, herbs, and other natural remedies to shrink the growths. Consult with your health-care practitioner, preferably someone who takes a holistic approach to your wellbeing and is willing to take the time to consult with you about alternative approaches to surgery.

Causes of Uterine Fibroids

Fibroids are stimulated by the hormone estrogen, produced naturally in your body. These growths can show up as early as age 20 and shrink after menopause when your body stops producing large amounts of estrogen.
Fibroids can be tiny and cause no problems, but they can also grow to weigh several pounds. They grow slowly. Some women with many fibroids may have an inherited tendency toward developing them.
The following factors have been associated with the growth of fibroids:

Being overweight, obesity
Never having given birth to a child (called nulliparity)
Onset of your period prior to age 10
African American heritage (occurring 3-9 times more often than in Caucasian women)

Treatment Of Uterine Fibroids

The basis of an herbal approach to treating uterine fibroids is to help to balance hormone levels and to improve liver function, which helps to detoxify excess estrogen. In addition, herbs can help to relieve symptoms caused by fibroids such as excessive bleeding and cramping.

Vitex (Vitex agnus-castus):

Uterine Fibroid Tea

 Diet:

In an effort to reduce the amount of Estrogen precursors taken in through foods:

1. Avoid dairy products, including milk, cheese, yogurt, and sour cream.

2. Switch to a vegetarian diet. This includes using fresh foods as close to the natural, unprocessed state as possible. A healthy diet includes leafy green vegetables, whole grains, fruit, and proteins with a minimum of animal fat since most animal products contain estrogen, which enlarges the fibroids.

3. If you must eat meat, eat it in small quantities and use only the hormone-free "organic" varieties that are available at health food stores.

4. Reduce the use of fats such as butter, mayonnaise, and nut butters.

5. Eliminate caffeine-containing foods such as coffee, black tea, sodas, and chocolates. 

Aromatherapy Treatments for Fibroids

Essential oils increase circulation to the pelvic organs, relax tense uterine muscles, ease cramps, and encourage a state of overall relaxation that promotes healing. Use the following essential oils in Sitz baths, massage oils, and abdominal compresses.

Ginger is a potent circulatory stimulant with warming properties. It also helps to improve liver function. Ginger has a spicy, warm scent.

Marjoram has potent sedative properties and is an excellent muscle relaxant that eases uterine cramps. It also has mild laxative action and helps to relieve constipation when used as an abdominal massage oil. Marjoram has a spicy, herbaceous, slightly sweet fragrance.

Rose is gentle and relaxing, and helps to ease physical and emotional tension. It has mild hormone-balancing properties and is considered to be a uterine tonic. Rose has a deep, sweet, floral fragrance.

Massage Oil for Fibroids

Sitz Baths for Fibroids

Sitz baths help to move blood into the pelvic area, which improves circulation and relieves the stagnation that contributes to the development of uterine fibroids. For best results, sitz baths should be used five times a week. Natural therapies take time and effort, but the results are well worth it.

Alternating hot and cold sitz baths are the most effective type of sitz bath for increasing energy flow to the uterus. The hot bath dilates the blood vessels and brings fresh blood to the pelvic region, while the cold water constricts the blood vessels and forces the blood out of the pelvis. The alternating dilation and constriction creates a surge of circulation that cleanses and nourishes the uterus.

You'll need two plastic tubs that are large enough to sit in comfortably. Fill one tub with water as hot as you can tolerate, and the other with ice-cold water. You'll need to fill the tub only halfway or less with water-you'll be able to determine how much water you need by sitting in the tub. It usually takes a bit of experimentation to get the amount of water and the temperature just right. The hot tub should be approximately 105-110 degrees F, and the cold tub should be between 55 and 65 degrees F. You may need to add ice cubes to the cold tub to obtain the desired temperature. To increase the healing benefits of the bath, add five drops of ginger or marjoram essential oil to the tub of hot water.

Begin by lowering your buttocks into the hot tub-the water should feel uncomfortably hot at first. Sit with your upper body and your legs out of the tub, and make sure that your pelvic region is covered up to your navel with the water. Stay in the water for three minutes and then immediately move to the cold tub for one minute. Alternate between the hot and cold tubs three times, remaining in the hot tub each time for three minutes and the cold tub for one minute. Finish with the cold tub, towel off briskly, and rest for a few minutes, concentrating on the healing energy circulating in your pelvis.

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