Curing Fibroids and Fibroid Tumors Without Getting a Hysterectomy

Fibroid Tumors in the uterus: Alternative treatments

The presence of fibroid tumors in the uterus, a condition known as myoma, is the one of the most common reasons doctors recommend that women in their 30s and 40s have a hysterectomy. A hysterectomy is a procedure in which some or all of the woman's uterus and ovaries are removed. But a hysterectomy isn't the only answer to Fibroids in the uterus. There are other options available.

What are fibroid tumors?

Fibroid tumors are non-cancerous lumps that form on the muscular wall of the uterus. They are comprised of smooth muscle and connective tissue and they typically grow in groups, or clusters. Typically, fibroid tumors start out small but they can grow to be very large, sometimes up to the size of grapefruit. They can be very painful.

What causes fibroid tumors?

Usually, fibroid growth in women is triggered by an excess of the hormone estrogen in the body. Many women in their 30s experience non-ovulation menstrual cycles, a phenomenon that is common in the years leading up to pre-menopause. During this time, the body produces a lesser amount of progesterone and, in most cases, more estrogen. The result can be increased water retention in the body, enlargement of the breasts and weight gain. In some women, an increase in estrogen can cause depression and loss of sexual desire. In some women, the result can be uterine fibroid tumors.

Traditional treatment for fibroid tumors is a hysterectomy. However, this is not the only option. It may be possible to shrink the fibroids naturally by balancing the hormone levels in the body. By evening out the hormone levels, the growth of fibroids can be arrested.

Natural remedies are much less invasive and traumatic to the body than surgery. Even making changes in the diet can help to reduce elevated estrogen levels. This is important because excess estrogen cannot be broken down and eliminated by the body, which can lead to the formation of fibroids. The liver is the primary organ responsible for breaking down hormones in the body so that they can be eliminated in the urine. When the liver is taxed beyond its ability to keep up, it cannot function properly. Avoid over-working your liver by moderating how much saturated fat, alcohol and sugar you take in. That will leave your liver free to concentrate on vital functions, such as eliminating excess estrogen, thus reducing your risk for uterine fibroids.

Also, include in your diet foods that are rich in phytoestrogens. These are a natural source of estrogen in teh diet, which can help prevent the body from feeling the need to produce high levels of estrogen. Phytoestrogens can be found in whole grains, foods that are rich in essentially fatty acids such as fish, and others. These foods can help to prevent the growth of fibroids and they can also work to reduce the size of existing fibroids naturally.

Surgery isn't the only way to reduce fibroid tumors. Good diet, a balance in hormone levels and an active lifestyle can both ward off the development of fibroid tumors and shrink the size of existing ones.