3 Factors That May Cause Uterine Fibroids

According to the National Institute of Health, up to 80% of women will suffer from uterine fibroids by the age of 50.Symptoms of fibroids can be debilitating and disruptive to women’s daily lives, professional careers, fertility and mental health. Yet conventional medicine is unable to define clear causes, and only provides limited effective solutions; most women are forced to choose between prescription drugs or invasive surgery that plunges them into infertility and early menopause.

Are you experiencing any of these warning signs of uterine fibroids?

Symptoms of Uterine Fibroids

Heavy periods
Menstrual periods lasting longer than normal
Feeling “full” all the time, regardless of food consumption
Pressure or pain in the pelvic area
Bloating, distention of the abdomen resembling pregnancy
Lower back or leg pain
Bowel issues including constipation or diarrhea
Frequent urge to urinate
Discomfort or pain during intercourse
Urinary incontinence
Infertility
Miscarriage
Complications during childbirth

If you think or have been told that you have uterine fibroids, it’s important to explore the latest science on uterine fibroids, including promising new alternative treatment options.

The Uterine Fibroid Epidemic

Most doctors will tell you that fibroids have no known cause. But we now know there at least four primary factors that lead to fibroid development, growth, and spread:

Hormonal Imbalance, especially Estrogen Dominance: Uterine fibroids are known as “hormonally-responsive” tumors, meaning their growth and spread is directly influenced by the reproductive hormones progesterone and estrogen. In fact, fibroid tissue contains more progesterone and estrogen receptors than normal uterine tissue. When these hormones increase during the premenstrual phase in preparation for fertilization, uterine fibroids increase in size and mass. The same thing happens during perimenopause and menopause, when fluctuating hormone levels create hormonal imbalance, especially estrogen dominance, which has also been linked to fibroid growth and spread.
Environmental Exposure, especially Xenoestrogens: Xenoestrogens are artificial toxins that we’re exposed to throughout our daily lives — from conventional dairy products, makeup, pesticides and plastics — that have a molecular structure that mimics the effects of estrogen in the body. Increased exposure to xenoestrogens has been linked to estrogen dominance, reproductive cancers, infertility, obesity, miscarriage, and uterine fibroids. Research shows that American women have estrogen levels roughly double those of women in undeveloped countries, and scientists are quick to point out that this is likely due to our overwhelming exposure to xenoestrogens in our environments. We are simply swimming in a sea of estrogen — and our bodies can’t tell the difference between the natural and artificial versions of this hugely influential hormone.
Vitamin D Deficiency: Science shows that Vitamin D can inhibit the growth of fibroid tumors. One study analyzed uterine fibroid growth in two groups of women over a year-long period: the first supplemented with Vitamin D, while the second group did not. One year later, the women who did not supplement with Vitamin D experienced a 40% increase in fibroid volume, while the group that maintained adequate vitamin D levels through supplementation experienced no increase in fibroid growth or spread.
Genetics: According to the White Dress Project, a woman’s risk of developing uterine fibroids triples if her mother also suffered from them. There are clearly patterns of fibroids that run in families; whether this is caused by learned lifestyle habits, shared environmental exposure or genetics is unclear.
Traumatic Experiences: A new study by the Boston University School of Medicine found that women who were physically or sexually abused or traumatized as girls were up to 36% more likely to develop uterine fibroids as adults. This evidence further supports the connection between physical, mental, and emotional health; our emotional experiences can have a biological impact, and any uterine fibroid treatment plan must address this aspect of the diagnosis in order for the patient to fully heal.
Stress: It’s well-documented that stress negatively influences the body’s ability to regulate and balance hormones, especially progesterone and estrogen. Both acute and chronic stress can cause hormonal imbalance, which often results in a state of estrogen dominance. Since uterine fibroids are “hormonally-responsive” tumors, a stress-induced spike in estrogen can cause fibroids cells to multiply and spread within the uterine lining.

The Harms of Hysterectomy

These days, it seems like everyone knows at least one woman who has undergone a hysterectomy, also known as surgical removal of our reproductive organs. In fact, more than ⅓ of all women in the US have had a hysterectomy by the age of 60 years old. Hysterectomies are one of the most common surgeries performed on women worldwide, second only to cesarean sections. Remarkably, 1 out of every 4 women enters menopause due to hysterectomy, which is why hysterectomies have become known as “surgical menopause”.

The single biggest reason for hysterectomy, or surgical removal of a woman’s reproductive organs? Uterine fibroids.

Only 10% of hysterectomies performed in the US are deemed “medically necessary” to treat cancer of the reproductive organs. The remaining 90% of hysterectomies can be attributed to non-life threatening reasons: heavy menstrual bleeding, uterine fibroids, endometriosis, and pelvic pain.

But more and more women, and a few enlightened doctors, are speaking out against the rising rate of what they believe to be “unnecessary” hysterectomies, which has become a $17-billion dollar/year industry. Why? For a woman without a life-threatening diagnosis, there are better alternatives than castration.

Here’s what we know about the risks and adverse outcomes associated with conventional fibroid treatments, which include hysterectomies, uterine fibroid embolization, and endometrial ablation. In addition to surgical complications and death, hysterectomies and other unnecessary surgical removal of reproductive organs have been shown to cause the following outcomes:

Increase risk of heart disease
Osteoporosis, arthritis, and osteopenia
Weight gain
Increased risk of renal, thyroid, and brain cancers
Increased risk of congestive heart failure and coronary artery disease
Loss of libido, sensation, and ability to orgasm; pain during intercourse
Sudden-onset menopause and hormonal imbalance symptoms, including mood swings, hair loss, anxiety, depression, skin changes, brain fog, and weight gain
Incontinence and UTIs
Digestive disorders, chronic constipation
Anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts
Tinnitus and hearing loss
Vertigo and dizziness
Bladder and bowel dysfunction due to displacement
Brain fog and chronic fatigue
Memory and executive function issues

The good news? Emerging research shows that there are viable options for women who wish to address uterine fibroids without removing their ovaries or uterus, which continue to produce beneficial amounts of estrogen and progesterone long after menopause. These naturally-occurring reproductive hormones have nearly endless positive and protective biological benefits, especially for bone and heart health, that simply cannot be replicated by synthetic hormones.

Non-Surgical Options for Treating Uterine Fibroids

Reduce exposure to xenoestrogens

A main focus for bringing balance back to your hormones is to reduce sources of xenoestrogen exposure in your environment: Remove and replace plastic food storage containers, cosmetics, conventional dairy and meat products, and reduce exposure to herbicides and insecticides. Learn more about endocrine-disrupting chemicals.

Estrogen Detox

Estrogen’s role in the growth and spread of fibroids is well-established. After removing or reducing sources of xenoestrogen exposure in your environment, consider supporting your body in removing the remaining toxins left in your system through targeted, doctor-developed phytotherapy designed to reduce estrogen dominance. Learn more about DIM Complex.

Eat to balance hormones

Certain foods may have beneficial effects on reducing fibroid symptoms and balancing overall hormone health including broccoli, cabbage, green tea, apples, pears, fiber, dark leafy greens, and healthy grains. Avoid red meat, sugar, refined flours, and processed foods.

Phytotherapy to Balance Hormones

Certain natural herbs have been shown to balance female reproductive hormones without the negative side effects of conventional synthetic hormones. Dr. Mary James explains, “One reason phytotherapy is so effective is that certain herbs (known as phytocrines) share important features with natural hormones, thus enabling them to increase the body’s natural ability to make and use hormones and provide symptom relief.” Learn more about Herbal Equilibrium, our targeted phytotherapy hormone support formula.

Reduce stress

The link between high cortisol, the stress hormone, and fibroid growth cannot be overstated. Prioritize your peace, especially as part of a fibroid healing program.

IUDs

A 2009 Finnish study showed that women who reported heavy menstrual bleeding as a result of uterine fibroids showed significant symptom reduction and improved quality of life following the insertion of a levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system, or IUD.

Medication

There are several prescription drugs, including GnRH agonists, that may be beneficial to some patients.

Watchful Waiting

This is the option that pharmaceutical and insurance companies hate the most. Many doctors believe that the risks of removing benign fibroid tumors do not outweigh the benefits if the patient’s symptoms are not interfering with their quality of life, especially if the patient is nearing the age of naturally-occuring menopause. Because fibroids are estrogen-dependent, most women find relief from their fibroid symptoms and reduction in fibroid volume as estrogen plummets in the menopause and post-menopause phase.

Surgical Solutions

Myomectomy: A conservative surgery that removes the fibroids while leaving the uterus intact. Requires a skilled and experienced surgeon.
Hysteroscopic resection of the fibroid, also known as hysteroscopic “shelling out” of a submucosal fibroid: Not to be confused with hysteroscopic resection of the endometrium, this is an outpatient procedure that removes the fibroid without damaging the uterine lining.

Your Path Forward

If you or a loved one is suffering from symptoms of uterine fibroids, it’s important to know that a hysterectomy is not your only option. Although studies show that up to 80% of women experience uterine fibroids, it’s imperative that every woman is equipped with accurate information so that she can advocate for herself and her individual needs — even if that means finding a new doctor who will help you make the best decision for your health and happiness. Look at our Women’s Health Network solutions that can help you.

“When I went back for another ultrasound, amazingly my fibroid was gone! The person who did the ultrasound said there was no evidence that I’d ever had a fibroid. And I completely attribute this to your program.” — Bea, Trust-Pilot verified customer

References

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/uterine-fibroids/symptoms-causes/syc-20354288

Ciavattini, A.; Delli Carpini, G.; Serri, M.; Vignini, A.; Sabbatinelli, J.; Tozzi, A.; Aggiusti, A.; Clemente, N. Hypovitaminosis D and “small burden” uterine fibroids: Opportunity for a vitamin d supplementation. Medicine 2016, 95, e5698.

https://www.thewhitedressproject.org/overview-1

https://www.bu.edu/articles/2011/from-childhood-trauma-adult-tumors/