Uterine Fibroids
Uterine fibroids can cause heavy menstrual bleeding, pelvic pain, pressure, and fatigue, affecting your comfort and quality of life. At East Valley Naturopathic Doctors in Mesa, Arizona, we provide individualized naturopathic care that considers nutrition, hormone balance, digestion, and overall wellness when supporting women with fibroids.
What Are Uterine Fibroids?
Fibroids are the most common solid pelvic tumor in women and occur in 20-25% of women by age 40. They range in size and shape and usually occur as multiple tumors. Most commonly, they vary from the size of a walnut to a grapefruit. Uterine fibroids are benign and can be located throughout the uterus.
Fibroids are influenced by reproductive hormones and may grow during the reproductive years. Some women have no symptoms, while others experience significant menstrual or pelvic problems.
Fibroids are stimulated by estrogen or potent estrogen-like substances. We are not only exposed to our own production of estrogen, but to exogenous sources, estrogens found in our food and environment. Herbicides, pesticides, hormone-injected meats, and plastics can bind to the estrogen receptor and cause a fibroid to grow.
At East Valley Naturopathic Doctors, we look at your individual health history and lifestyle when developing a personalized approach to fibroid support.
Uterine Fibroid Symptoms
Fibroids can cause different symptoms depending on their size and location.
Common symptoms associated with uterine fibroids include heavy periods, bleeding between periods, pain with menses, painful intercourse, as well as fatigue and weakness as a result of anemia due to blood loss. Depending on the size and location, fibroids can cause pain in the upper thighs, back and/or pelvis, and exert pressure upon the bowels or the bladder. Not everyone experiences symptoms. You may have fibroids and not know it.
Fibroids may be discovered during a pelvic examination or through imaging such as an ultrasound. If you are experiencing heavy bleeding, persistent pelvic pain, or other concerning symptoms, appropriate medical evaluation is important.
Nutrition and Fibroid Support
Nutrition is an important part of the naturopathic approach to women's health.
The first step in preventing and treating uterine fibroids is by improving your diet. Avoid or decrease the intake of saturated fats, sugar, caffeine, alcohol, dairy, and non-organic meats.
A harmonious diet should consist of high fiber (often supplemented with ground flax seeds or chia seeds), organic and low glycemic vegetables and fruits, whole grains (brown rice, oats, buckwheat, quinoa), nuts and seeds, legumes, and lean organic animal proteins for the non-vegetarian/vegans. A high-fiber diet will help to increase the elimination of excess estrogens.
Always wash your fruits and vegetables to reduce the consumption of any pesticides. Ultimately, it is best to buy organic when possible.
Your naturopathic doctor can help determine which nutritional recommendations are appropriate for your individual health needs.
Gut Health and Hormone Balance
Digestive health may also be considered when addressing hormone balance.
The digestive system is another factor in hormone balance. The pathogenic (unhealthy) bacteria that may also reside in the intestinal tract have been shown to change the estrogen structure so that instead of it being eliminated out of our body through our digestive tract, it recirculates back into the bloodstream, adding to the estrogen load.
A decreased amount of beneficial bacteria in the intestinal tract coupled with an overgrowth of yeast can affect the liver’s ability to process hormones and the colon’s ability to eliminate estrogen as well.
Depending on your symptoms and overall health, additional nutritional support or testing may be recommended.
Naturopathic Treatment for Uterine Fibroids
The goal of naturopathic treatment is to decrease the size of the fibroid or to keep it from growing further. The nutritional supplements and herbs will help to balance the female hormones, promote estrogen excretion from the body, and stimulate the liver to break down the hormones more efficiently.
Treatment is individualized based on your symptoms, health history, laboratory findings, and other factors. East Valley Naturopathic Doctors may incorporate nutritional supplements, herbs, dietary recommendations, and other naturopathic therapies when appropriate.
Acupuncture is also effective at assisting in decreasing the size of fibroids.
Hormone and Nutritional Testing
Additional testing may be recommended when it can provide useful information about your individual health picture.
An Estrogen Metabolite test provides information on two important metabolites of estrogen 2OH estrogens and 16OH estrogens. By doing a simple urine test, we can determine which estrogen metabolite you are producing more of.
Another test that can be done is the Organic Acid Test, which assesses if there is an overgrowth of yeast, bacteria, deficiency in B vitamins, as well as other important metabolites.
When appropriate, your provider can use these results to help develop a more personalized treatment plan.
Talk With East Valley Naturopathic Doctors
Uterine Fibroid Care in Mesa, Arizona
If you have been diagnosed with uterine fibroids or are struggling with heavy periods, pelvic discomfort, or fatigue, East Valley Naturopathic Doctors in Mesa can help you explore individualized naturopathic options.
We help those throughout Mesa and the East Valley, including nearby communities such as Gilbert, Chandler, Tempe, Scottsdale, and Queen Creek.
Our goal is to help you better understand the factors affecting your health and create a personalized plan that supports your overall well-being. Contact East Valley Naturopathic Doctors.
