Uterine Leiomyoma: This Common Tumor Isn’t Cancer, but Women Should Still Seek to Avoid It
It’s a cancer-like condition that will afflict as many as three out of four women at some point throughout their lives.1
I’m talking about uterine leiomyoma or myoma, commonly referred to as
uterine fibroids or fibroid tumors. These are tiny, non-cancerous
(benign) tumors that often develop within the uterus of a women,
typically during their childbearing years.
Uterine fibroids can range in size from just a few millimeters to sometimes as large as eight inches in diameter (roughly the size of a melon!) though they usually tend towards the smaller end of the spectrum.2
In certain cases, these aggressive approaches are fitting. But unfortunately none of them address the biggest elephant in the room: prevention. Avoiding them altogether should be every woman’s first priority when it comes to myomas.
While there do exist natural alternatives to drugs and surgery that science suggests could be helpful in keeping existing fibroids in the uterus from growing larger, or possibly even eliminating them altogether… wouldn’t it be better to prevent them from forming at all if possible?
Evidence suggests that uterine fibroids have a special affinity for both progesterone and estrogen, as they contain more receptors for these two hormones than surrounding normal tissue. Estradiol specifically, which is a type of estrogen, is known to promote fibroid cell replication, while progesterone prevents fibroid cell death. Together, these two mechanisms of action can lead to the uncontrolled formation of damaging fibroid tissue. This uterine fibroid tissue also contains high levels of the enzyme aromatase, which converts testosterone into estrogen, further contributing to even more fibroid development and spread.5
Knowing this critical information – mainly that a hormonal imbalance plays a direct role in causing fibroids in uterus to grow – can offer clues as to what interventions might help to keep leiomyomas at bay.
It’s clear just from these few details I’ve laid out that a woman’s hormone levels are powerfully influential in either allowing or preventing the proliferation of fibroids. And a woman’s hormones are directly affected by the things she eats, how she lives her life, and what types of things she’s exposed to in the environment on a daily basis.
The same is true for conventional dairy products, which often contain steroids and other chemicals that are known to alter hormone levels. You’ll want to avoid refined sugar and grains as well. Both can lead to weight gain and hormone disruption, not to mention the fact that they spike blood sugar levels and are just all-around damaging to the immune system. And don’t forget about alcohol and caffeine (beyond perhaps 1-2 cups of coffee or black tea per day), both of which are major no-nos when it comes to keeping hormone levels in check.
In addition to eating organic produce and grass-fed meats, women trying to steer clear of uterine leiomyomas will want to consume plenty of leafy greens and cruciferous vegetables. Leafy greens are rich in vitamin K, which is known to help prevent clotting and control menstrual bleeding.6 Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts likewise possess anti-fibroid properties. This was demonstrated in a case-control study out of China which found that these foods directly counteract the formation of uterine fibroids at the systemic level.7
My good friend Dr. Josh Axe also recommends eating foods that are rich in beta-carotene, a type of vitamin A that’s been shown to help the body along in repairing and creating new tissue. This includes carrots, sweet potatoes and yams, kale, and spinach, grass-fed butter and ghee, as well as other naturally-orange foods like cantaloupe and apricots, which may help to break up aberrant tissue growth like the kind that contributes to fibroid formation.8
Really, any food with hormone-balancing properties is beneficial when it comes to steering clear of leiomyomas. Adaptogenic herbs such as holy basil and ashwagandha, for instance, are widely known to help support hormonal homeostasis (balance) throughout the body while minimizing stress and boosting immune function. Omega-3 fatty acids like the kind found in fatty fish and other foods like chia and flax are similarly beneficial in helping to keep hormones balanced.9
In place of these things, you’ll want to purchase only organic and certified chemical-free foods as much as possible, as well as switch to glass and stainless steel for food storage. To keep the air smelling fresh and clean around your home, you can’t go wrong with all-natural essential oils. These are much safer, and quite frankly better smelling, alternative to conventional aerosol cans, candles, and plug-ins. Most of these products are made with petroleum-based “fragrance” chemicals that are known to interfere with proper hormone expression.10
There are some fibroid risk factors that women don’t necessarily have control over, of course, including family history, age, and race. But there are plenty of contributing factors that women can change with awareness and taking action. Moving your body regularly in ways you enjoy, eating a healthy diet, and avoiding toxic chemicals in food and personal care products are among the most important lifestyle habits that a woman can (and should) adopt for prolonged wellness support.
The fibroids diagnosis process may include getting an ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI to determine the severity of the fibroid condition in order to pinpoint the most appropriate remedy, and you’ll need to consult with your doctor to identify the best course of action for you.
Uterine fibroids can range in size from just a few millimeters to sometimes as large as eight inches in diameter (roughly the size of a melon!) though they usually tend towards the smaller end of the spectrum.2
Symptoms & Signs of Uterine Fibroids
Not to be confused with cysts, uterine leiomyomas are solid, abnormal growths in smooth muscle and fibrous connective tissue that can cause symptoms including:- Bleeding
- Chronic pain
- Repeated urinary tract infections
- Backaches
- Constipation
- Anemia
Fibroids Treatment Options
The standard medical approach to treating troublesome uterine leiomyomas ranges from having women take hormone-altering pharmaceuticals to encouraging them to undergo major fibroid surgery in the form of a hysterectomy. There are also newer, supposedly “non-invasive” procedures like MRI-guided focused ultrasound surgery (FUS), for instance, which involves using heat and sound in the form of high-energy ultrasound technology to break up and destroy fibroid tissue.3In certain cases, these aggressive approaches are fitting. But unfortunately none of them address the biggest elephant in the room: prevention. Avoiding them altogether should be every woman’s first priority when it comes to myomas.
While there do exist natural alternatives to drugs and surgery that science suggests could be helpful in keeping existing fibroids in the uterus from growing larger, or possibly even eliminating them altogether… wouldn’t it be better to prevent them from forming at all if possible?
What Causes Fibroids in Uterus?
Despite what many in the medical community claim, uterine leiomyomas do have a cause even if we don’t fully understand what it is. One thing we know for sure is that fibroids tend to grow in response to high levels of estrogen, and conversely stabilize or even shrink after menopause when estrogen levels decrease. We also know that both estrogen and progesterone control the growth of the endometrium, or uterine lining, preparing a woman’s uterus for pregnancy.4Evidence suggests that uterine fibroids have a special affinity for both progesterone and estrogen, as they contain more receptors for these two hormones than surrounding normal tissue. Estradiol specifically, which is a type of estrogen, is known to promote fibroid cell replication, while progesterone prevents fibroid cell death. Together, these two mechanisms of action can lead to the uncontrolled formation of damaging fibroid tissue. This uterine fibroid tissue also contains high levels of the enzyme aromatase, which converts testosterone into estrogen, further contributing to even more fibroid development and spread.5
Knowing this critical information – mainly that a hormonal imbalance plays a direct role in causing fibroids in uterus to grow – can offer clues as to what interventions might help to keep leiomyomas at bay.
It’s clear just from these few details I’ve laid out that a woman’s hormone levels are powerfully influential in either allowing or preventing the proliferation of fibroids. And a woman’s hormones are directly affected by the things she eats, how she lives her life, and what types of things she’s exposed to in the environment on a daily basis.
Bad Diets Make Estrogen Levels Spiral Out of Control
Junk food is the first thing that women need to take into account and remove from their diets if they hope to decrease their chances of developing myomas. This includes things like processed meat derived from conventional feedlot cattle. These are known to increase inflammatory markers due to their heavy content of chemical additives and “bad” fats. Grass-fed beef, pastured poultry, and wild-caught fish are much better alternatives, as they contain fewer chemicals and more “good” fats that support hormone balance.The same is true for conventional dairy products, which often contain steroids and other chemicals that are known to alter hormone levels. You’ll want to avoid refined sugar and grains as well. Both can lead to weight gain and hormone disruption, not to mention the fact that they spike blood sugar levels and are just all-around damaging to the immune system. And don’t forget about alcohol and caffeine (beyond perhaps 1-2 cups of coffee or black tea per day), both of which are major no-nos when it comes to keeping hormone levels in check.
In addition to eating organic produce and grass-fed meats, women trying to steer clear of uterine leiomyomas will want to consume plenty of leafy greens and cruciferous vegetables. Leafy greens are rich in vitamin K, which is known to help prevent clotting and control menstrual bleeding.6 Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts likewise possess anti-fibroid properties. This was demonstrated in a case-control study out of China which found that these foods directly counteract the formation of uterine fibroids at the systemic level.7
My good friend Dr. Josh Axe also recommends eating foods that are rich in beta-carotene, a type of vitamin A that’s been shown to help the body along in repairing and creating new tissue. This includes carrots, sweet potatoes and yams, kale, and spinach, grass-fed butter and ghee, as well as other naturally-orange foods like cantaloupe and apricots, which may help to break up aberrant tissue growth like the kind that contributes to fibroid formation.8
Really, any food with hormone-balancing properties is beneficial when it comes to steering clear of leiomyomas. Adaptogenic herbs such as holy basil and ashwagandha, for instance, are widely known to help support hormonal homeostasis (balance) throughout the body while minimizing stress and boosting immune function. Omega-3 fatty acids like the kind found in fatty fish and other foods like chia and flax are similarly beneficial in helping to keep hormones balanced.9
Xenoestrogenic Toxins: What to Avoid
Our modern world is loaded with chemicals, many of which have xenoestrogenic properties. This means they can interfere with hormone production and conversion, leading to a hormone imbalance. Chemicals to actively steer clear of include pesticide and herbicide chemicals that are routinely sprayed on non-organic produce to deter critters and weeds. Synthetic fertilizers, food preservatives, conventional cleaning and personal care products, air fresheners, solvents, paints, and even plastic bottles and containers are also all common sources of xenoestrogens that should be avoided.In place of these things, you’ll want to purchase only organic and certified chemical-free foods as much as possible, as well as switch to glass and stainless steel for food storage. To keep the air smelling fresh and clean around your home, you can’t go wrong with all-natural essential oils. These are much safer, and quite frankly better smelling, alternative to conventional aerosol cans, candles, and plug-ins. Most of these products are made with petroleum-based “fragrance” chemicals that are known to interfere with proper hormone expression.10
Exercise Is a Nightmare for Leiomyomas
Last but not least, staying active is a critical element for women seeking to naturally protect themselves against fibroids. Peer-reviewed research has determined that exercise is directly correlated with incidence of fibroids – meaning the more a woman moves, the less likely she is to develop leiomyomas and the many associated symptoms.11There are some fibroid risk factors that women don’t necessarily have control over, of course, including family history, age, and race. But there are plenty of contributing factors that women can change with awareness and taking action. Moving your body regularly in ways you enjoy, eating a healthy diet, and avoiding toxic chemicals in food and personal care products are among the most important lifestyle habits that a woman can (and should) adopt for prolonged wellness support.
See Your Doctor If You Have Fibroid Symptoms
I need to emphasize that it’s still vitally important that you see a doctor if you’re already experiencing fibroid symptoms that suggest the presence of myomas inside your body. Severe pelvic pain or vaginal bleeding, for instance, are pretty strong indicators that you probably need a proper physical examination and possible surgical treatment to get things under control.The fibroids diagnosis process may include getting an ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI to determine the severity of the fibroid condition in order to pinpoint the most appropriate remedy, and you’ll need to consult with your doctor to identify the best course of action for you.
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