Our Hormones

If you're struggling with abdominal pain, heavy, painful periods and fatigue, you could be one of millions of women diagnosed with uterine fibroids every year. The most common neoplasm affecting women (non-cancerous growths, also called leiomyomas) occurs in 70 per cent of pre-menopausal women. A quarter of all women seek treatment for fibroids. Conventional treatment usually involves hormonal birth control, medication or surgery, but does not address the root of the problem. After a myomectomy (surgical removal), up to a third of fibroids reappear and around 10 per cent of women will have a hysterectomy within ten years.
On the other hand, holistic and lifestyle changes target the underlying causes of uterine fibroids and can result in lasting improvement for many women, the best long-term treatment involves modifying your nutrition, sleep habits and stress management strategies.
Holistic strategies can be employed to combat uterine fibroids through natural treatment.

Causes of uterine fibroids

In healthy women, oestrogen and progesterone interact to maintain a delicate balance. For women seeking treatment for uterine fibroids, however, this balance tilts towards the dominance of oestrogen, one of the main culprits behind the disease. "This is what happens when oestrogen, which is our main sex hormone, is too high in the body."
According to the National Institute of Health, risk factors include older age, culture (women from the African continent are at greater risk), obesity, family history of fibroids, high blood pressure, no history of pregnancy, vitamin D deficiency and consumption of food additives.

Natural methods of treating uterine fibroids

If you want to prevent the recurrence of uterine fibroids after surgery, relieve fibroid symptoms or slow down the development of fibroids, the natural treatments for uterine fibroids below can help.

Make your diet (and your hormones) work for you

To understand the role that diet plays in supporting the balance between oestrogen and progesterone, you first need to understand the relationship between oestrogen, the liver and the intestine. Normally, the body uses oestrogen and eliminates it by first sending it to the liver. From there, oestrogen metabolites (by-products of oestrogen metabolism) enter the intestine and exit via the faeces. But unbalanced intestinal bacteria can interfere with this process, cutting off the signal for oestrogen to be excreted. This process is called enterohepatic circulation and causes oestrogen to be "recycled back into the body", setting the stage for oestrogen dominance.
We can support the part of the gut that processes oestrogen metabolism, the oestrobolome, through diet. Research shows that changes in the oestrobolome can boost oestrogen-mediated conditions, including uterine fibroids, and that changes in the gut microbiome can decrease the circulation of oestrogen.

These foods can help:

• Fermented foods rich in probiotics are an excellent choice. Kimchi, sauerkraut and plant-based yoghurt can be really useful just to get a better balance of our "bugs"
• Foods rich in fibre are also essential. Fibre feeds probiotics and helps them flourish.
• Dark leafy greens such as spinach, kale, rocket, cabbage and leafy greens are great for "general liver detoxification".
• Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and cabbage contain a compound known as DIM (Diindolylmethane). DIM binds to excess oestrogen in the bloodstream and eliminates it. One study found that women with diets rich in cruciferous vegetables were less likely to have uterine fibroids.
• Flaxseeds also help to eliminate excess oestrogen. They are rich in lignans, a weak phytoestrogen that "gets stuck in the cell" blocking the use of our own oestrogens, which means they need to be eliminated.
• Avoid inflammatory foods and those that overload the liver. Reducing or eliminating alcohol, excess sugar, gluten and dairy products also promotes a healthy gut microbiome. A study in the Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology found that women who consumed food additives in processed, sweetened or preserved foods were three times more likely to suffer from uterine fibroids than women who did not.

Remember that you don't necessarily have to give up your favourite foods or follow strict rules to see results. Instead, focus on a plant-based diet, eating a rich variety of foods. As well as getting plenty of greens, opt for foods from all colours of the bow-Remember that you don't necessarily have to give up your favourite foods or follow strict rules to see results. Instead, focus on a plant-based diet, eating a rich variety of foods. As well as getting plenty of greens, opt for foods from all the colours of the rainbow. Intentional nutritional changes can be an easy step towards natural treatment for uterine fibroids. Intentional nutritional changes can be an easy step towards natural treatment for uterine fibroids.

Prioritise quality sleep

"Sleep is the basis of everything." Insufficient sleep increases cortisol, your main stress hormone, and in turn causes insulin to rise, which sets you up for a range of chronic conditions - including uterine fibroids. One study, which examined the relationship between stress and uterine fibroids, suggested that activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the consequent release of cortisol may play a role in fluctuating levels of oestrogen and progesterone, setting the stage for uterine fibroids.
In general, you need to aim for seven to eight hours of sleep a night, but there is some evidence that women may need at the higher end of this. Avoiding activities such as browsing social media and checking the news before bed can help, as these stressors can interfere with your natural sleep cycles.

Find a conscious way out

Stress management is fundamental for health and hormonal balance. "If the body thinks it's in trouble, it will prioritise the secretion of cortisol," which, as noted above, can lead to oestrogen dominance.
Although there is no one-size-fits-all approach to stress relief, there are numerous strategies you can try.

Here are a few:

• Find joy. You can find joy in a creative outlet such as dance or art. Slow down enough to appreciate the small, beautiful moments you might otherwise miss.
• Being mindful. Mindfulness is important, living in the here and now.
• Meditation and walks in nature can help with this.
• Exercise frequently. Exercise can not only reduce blood pressure (another risk factor for fibroids), but is also an excellent calming agent.

Managing environmental risk factors

Artificial oestrogens, or endocrine disruptors, found in many common health, cleaning and beauty products can contribute to oestrogen dominance. To minimise environmental risk factors, replacing items such as non-stick cookware and conventional cosmetics with clean alternatives is a great starting point, even foetal exposure to synthetic oestrogens increases the risk of developing uterine fibroids.

THE LESSON:

A holistic approach to treating fibroids can seem overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be.
With Dá Vida CLINIC's support, you'll create a personalised and sustainable treatment plan that will suit you wherever you are. If you and your doctor determine that surgery may be an appropriate option for you, they can also guide you through recovery and help you prevent recurrences
future uterine fibroids.