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Uterine Fibroids
Supplementation Suggestions
Nutritional supplementation for uterine fibroids should include antiestrogenic substances such as flavonoids which have 1/400-1/50,000 the estrogenic effect that synthetic estrogen has. Flavonoids contribute very little to the total body supply of estrogen. Various herbs (saw palmetto, historically used for benign prostatic hyperplasia), lady's mantle, chaste tree berries, and yarrow flowers have been cited for their antiestrogenic values. Other supplements recommended for uterine fibroids include immune-enhancing nutrients such as coenzyme Q10, vitamin C, zinc, arginine/lysine combination, maitake mushrooms, and vitamin A. The antioxidant activity of beta-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E, and selenium is also recommended.
As a possible addition to a nutritional protocol, a woman with fibroids should consider pancreatic enzymes. Pancreatic enzymes have many uses, but when they are used to reduce unusual cell, tissue, or muscle mass (such as in cancer and fibroids), pancreatic enzymes should be consumed between meals. Although not universally accepted, the logic behind using pancreatic enzymes is that the enzymes will digest fibrous/smooth muscle tissue and dissolve fibroids. When taken with food, pancreatic enzymes assist in digestion and do not resolve tissue.
Surgical Intervention
Some women prefer an abdominal/pelvic surgical intervention (a myomectomy) that removes the fibroids and the muscle tissue, but spares the uterus. However, 15-30% of women who have a myomectomy eventually require further surgery because fibroids can recur. A myomectomy requires a search for a very competent surgeon because greater skill is required in the procedure. Even if a woman is not concerned about protecting her fertility, a myomectomy should still be considered as an alternative to a hysterectomy. A hysterectomy appears to be too great a sacrifice for a condition that is considered to be benign 99.9% of the time. Yet, 30% of hysterectomies performed are to remove fibroids.
It is thought that much of an individual's sexual response is psychic in origin. Therefore, if a woman considers that her internal feminization is a part of her sexual mystique, then the absence of her uterus could prove to be her undoing: 25% of women who have a hysterectomy report increased difficulty becoming sexually aroused and then having a disappointing orgasm, if it occurs. The uterus contracts on the impulses of the orgasm, making the sensation deeper and more satisfying. The uterus also responds pleasurably to breast stimulation. Without a uterus, no such response occurs. When the uterus is removed because of fibroids, the ovaries are usually left intact. This lessens the degradation.
Research indicates that a retained sexual nature retards aging. Some women recount the removal of their uterus as entering the operating room young and emerging old. Chronic dysthymia (despondency) is frequently observed. Many women are also disappointed in their lack of bladder control after surgery. Others are plagued by intestinal adhesions which are not considered to be rare following abdominal surgery and can actually be life-threatening. Alternatives to radical surgery should first be carefully explored before any decision to operate is made.
SUMMARY
Women experiencing uterine fibroids should consider the following recommendations, acting on those which are most appropriate for each individual.
- The health of the thyroid gland should be evaluated first. All other attempts at correcting reproductive tract anomalies pale in importance without first consulting an endocrinologist capable of treating the primary causative factor, often an improperly functioning thyroid, inciting an unsound uterus.
- Women should actively attempt to restrict their exposure to exogenous estrogens by way of increasing consumption of fiber and foods having anti-estrogenic activity. Saw palmetto (160 mg), lady's mantle (2-4 mg of the tincture 3 times daily), chaste tree berries (1-2 mg 3 times daily), and yarrow flowers (2-4 mg 3 times daily) are considered antiestrogenic substances.
Caution: Herbs, although tolerated by most individuals, should be approached with caution on the part of the user in case unusual symptoms manifest. A clean supply of drinking water is imperative.
- Enhanced detoxification of hormone excesses, a big task for the liver, is essential to uterine health. Every effort should be made to assist the liver in this endeavor by using supplements/herbs known to support liver function such as:
- Silibinin Plus (260 mg silibinin), 1 capsule, twice daily.
- Dandelion tincture, 5-10 mL 3 times daily, or dandelion root, 200-500 mg capsules twice daily.
- Artichoke Leaf Extract, one 300-mg capsule daily.
- Goldenseal, 400 mg
Caution: Do not use goldenseal on a daily basis for extended periods of time.)
- Choline, inositol, and methionine (complexed in a formulary to yield 1000 mg of choline and inositol daily). These nutrients may also be purchased separately as Choline Cooler, 1 tablespoon, 1-3 times daily; inositol, two 500-mg capsules daily; methionine powder, 500 mg daily.
- SAMe, 400-800 mg twice daily
- Screening for heavy metal contamination is advisable, with the woman taking appropriate action to rid poisons from her system.
- Consider chelation therapy, kelp (1000 mg daily), glutathione, and cysteine (100 mg of vitamin C and 50 mg of vitamin B6 assist in glutathione/cysteine absorption).
- Silibinin, vitamin C, and selenium are valuable in increasing glutathione levels. Se-Methylselenocysteine (selenium) can be taken at a dosage of 200 mcg daily. Vitamin C may be increased to 4000-10,000 mg daily.
- Supplements considered specific for uterine health are:
- Coenzyme Q10, 30-100 mg, in an oil base daily.
- Zinc, 30-80 mg daily.
- Arginine/lysine, 500 mg of each daily, with vitamin C and vitamin B6 to assist absorption.
- Maitake mushroom, 150 mg twice daily.
- Vitamin A (in liquid drops) with emphasis on an antioxidant complex containing beta carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E, and selenium. Up to 20,000 IU daily is recommended.
- Pancreatic enzymes (thought to decrease the mass size of abhorrent fibrous/smooth muscle tissue) should be a consideration for the patient/practitioner. Use 10X, full strength, undiluted, and uncut pancreatic enzymes between meals, beginning with one and working toward three doses. MegaZyme by Enzymatic Therapy provides 10X strength.
Note: Pregnant woman should not use pancreatic enzymes.
- Myomectomy, a surgical procedure that removes the fibroids but leaves the uterus intact, is an option. A hysterectomy should only be considered for a uterine fibroid after much thought and conversation with a physician and others who might be impacted by the surgery, such as the woman's sexual partner.
- If blood testing reveals that estrogen levels are too high, consider taking an aromatase-inhibiting drug such as Arimidex at a dose of 1 mg several times a week. Arimidex is a prescription drug with virtually no side effects other than suppressing too much estrogen if the dose is higher than need be. If symptoms of estrogen deficiency manifest (e.g., hot flashes or any other symptom), consult your physician about reducing the dose of Arimidex.
For more information
Contact the Office on Women's Health, U.S. Public Health Service, (202) 690-7650.
Product availability
Saw palmetto, SAMe, CoQ10, Artichoke Leaf Extract, Silibinin Plus, goldenseal, zinc, glutathione, Choline Cooler, L-cysteine, L-arginine, L-lysine, liquid vitamin A drops, vitamins C, E, B6, Se-Methylselenocysteine, Gamma E Tocopherol/Tocotrienols, and MegaZyme (10X enzymes) can be ordered by calling (800) 544-4440 or by ordering online. |