Is there a natural alternative therapy or treatment for uterine fibroids?

This question comes up frequently. From a recent comment:

Charlotte: Has anybody but ANYBODY managed to heal themselves of fibroids naturally?

Let me first leave some general information to assist you in evaluating products. The National Institutes of Health has a center that deals with alternative medicine:

National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM)

Here are two pages I find particularly helpful:

How do I evaluate alternative treatments?
If I see this (or anything similar) associated with the product:

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

and a search on Google Scholar or PubMed produces NO studies conducted using the product, I cross it off my list.

So, you haven’t found any information on natural therapies?

I did find something on WebMD while looking for general fibroid stuff. There’s an article that discusses vitamins, herbs, stress reduction and the role of your liver in conjunction with fibroids. If you scroll to the bottom of page 3, you’ll see a section called “What to Eat” with the vitamin information. Herbs are on page 4. Cannot recommend the supplements per se but I will pass along the information.

My advice:

Read through the WebMD info. Check out the supplements using sites like Medline Plus or NCCAM. Search on PubMed, PubMed Central, or Google Scholar if you want to find research papers on these supplements and their effects on fibroid growth. (Finding papers in this area would be exciting indeed.)

Diet and Fibroids (WebMD)
Herbs and Fibroids (WebMD)
Drugs, Supplements, and Herbal Information (Medline Plus)
Dietary and Herbal Supplements (NCCAM)
PubMed
PubMed Central
Google Scholar

For those interested in herbal supplements, remember to do your research and talk to a health care professional before making any changes. I also suggest finding licensed practitioners of alternative medicine.

Here is a link to search for certified practitioners as well as the mission of NCCAOM:

National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM)

The mission of the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) is to establish, assess, and promote recognized standards of competence and safety in acupuncture and Oriental medicine for the protection and benefit of the public.

Let me also mention that alternative treatments are treatments. Be careful of herb/drug interactions:

The Interactions of Herbs and Drugs
Interesting because there’s also a little history in this article.

Checking for Possible Herb-Drug Interactions

Use of Complementary/Integrative Nutritional Therapies During Cancer Treatment: Implications in Clinical Practice
Don’t be alarmed by me sticking in this reference to cancer treatment. It has good tables that group supplements according to their various properties (coagulants, anticoagulants, laxatives, etc.) so I wanted to include it. Scroll down about halfway.

In general, I do believe in alternative medicine but I hold it up to the same standard as traditional medicine. Prove that it works (safely and effectively) and I’ll use it.

Now, let’s hear about your experiences with alternative therapies. I welcome all comments.

——————–

Related Posts:
Can I change my diet to help with fibroids?
If soy contributes to fibroid growth, I’m in trouble…

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260 Responses to “Is there a natural alternative therapy or treatment for uterine fibroids?”

  1. januza Says:

    We went to see the doctor Friday and they have put her on MIFEPRISTONE to stop her from bleeding on her next period on Sept 2nd and then they will give her Lupron shot for 3 months to try and shrink the fibroid. After that they need to evaluate if she needs surgery.

  2. Brandy Says:

    Januzza, I hope the treatments help!

  3. Amy Says:

    Januzza, same here, I hope she gets through her period without too much bleeding! Also, if you haven’t seen it yet, there is a whole other discussion on this website about Lupron, you may want to read what is said there.

  4. louise Says:

    I have been deaing with fibroids for about 5 years. Ihave had several myomectomies my largest fibroids was 6cm which can’t be operated on as it is in the lining. Two years back I exchanged coffee for green tea, decreased sugar(which I love),exercised and ate plenty of veges,I was able to shrink the fibroid in half confirmed by ultrasound. Within the past 8 months I am back to my old ways just had an ultrasound and fibroids are back to 6cm. I do believe you can shrink them with lifestyle changes ,it worked for me. I also have a problem with very low hemoglobin ,I take iron 3 times daily. I have noticed tranexamic acid has cut my bleeding in half!!Highly recommend.
    I am hopeful that lifestyle changes will work it’s magic again.I don’t have children and my boyfriend are trying for a wee one. I just hope it’s possible……..

  5. mariapril Says:

    Dear Luise
    your post is extremely interesting.You’re the first true person that informs us (and is not selling anything) ,that shrinkage is possible .Please can you help me posting a daily example of the diet that helped you that much?What kind of veges did you eat?How many times during the day?Did you take any supplement at the time or had you previously Lupron or related shots?Thank you Luise .

  6. Britt Says:

    I’ve dealt with numerous and some large fibroids for over 7 years now. I believe that birth control pills caused or increased them to point of being symptomatic. I had never taken birth control pills before but after divorce about 8 yrs ago I started taking them. several months later I felt a large lump in my abdomen. I freaked out and went immediately to gyn and thus began my journey in the land of fibroids… heavy bleeding, large clots passed, blood transfusion. … During this time my GP – in to natural methods recommended I read “What my Dr. may not tell my about xxx” books. And I read Dr. West’s book. I then began to research ways to avoid hysterectomy. I finally elected to have a myomectomy as other means were not shrinking them. Dr. removed many many fibroids. Within 2 months they were back – even a couple of large ones. Bleeding was just as if not more intense and now timing was unpredictable. That was over 5 or 6 years ago and still I suffer. After that surgery I have had to use all sick time and some vacation time and have never had time to use for hysterectomy. I still hate the idea of a hysterectomy and have periodic hopes of them shrinking now – am 50 years old. … but so far it’s hell on earth. I hate to admit it but if I had known… I would have had the big H. I recently looked into the ultrasound treatment but alas…. insurance doesn’t cover and I cannot afford $10-15 K. What a crying shame some of us have to suffer so much with this. More research, and insurance help is sooooooooo needed.

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  8. Tiffany Says:

    I have had great success with acupuncture. I had no experience with alternative medicine, but it was suggested by both my general doctor and my gynecologist (Dr. Ascher-Walsh) when I voiced that I preferred a non-surgical option. After three months of treatment including weekly acupuncture and daily chinese herbs, my fibroids had shrunk significantly. My larger fibroid went from 8.25 cm to 5.7 cm in diameter. The smaller fibroid went from 4 cm to 3.1 cm in diameter. By volume, the decrease was close to 50% in three months! I addition to clearing up my fibroids, the acupuncture also helped my acne roscea and my digestive problems. Within a week, I didn’t feel the abdominal bloating that had been with me for years. This option is expensive. It cost about $2700 for three months, but I believe there is an underlying problem that causes the fibroids. In may cases surgery ends up being just a temporary solution. I’m continuing with another three months of acupuncture and chinese herbs to hopefully shrink them even more before my husband and I get pregnant. I highly recommend the book Healing Fibroids: A Doctor’s Guide to a Natural Cure by Allan Warshowsky and Elena Oumano as it has a lot of super advice. Good luck to everyone in finding a cure for their fibroids!

    • Mary Mensah Says:

      Hi
      I have just been reading peoples comments about healing fibriods with natural cure and I am interested. I have been suffering from uterine fibriods for many years now don’t wanting to go under operation. So I have been searching the net a lot to find an ulternative cure with herbs. I have three one is 5.2cm, 4cm, 5cm and other small ones. I would be grateful if herbal treatment is effective.

      Thanks

  9. Chris Says:

    That was funny – the part where someone wrote “Shepard’s Pie” instead of “Shepherd’s Purse”! Maybe she was hungry!

    I’ve gotten a lot of great ideas from this site. I do NOT want hospital surgery of any kind. I think I’ll try to totally revamp my diet and lifestyle to be more healthy, instead of just taking one or two herbs. I’ll take the herbs, too, but as part of a whole package deal, with changes in my eating habits, drinking more water, fasting, exercise, etc.

    No doctor told me I had tumors; I’m just assuming I do, due to the heavy bleeding and anemia. I crave ice, so I diagnosed myself with anemia; no doctor told me I had anemia either.

  10. suzi Says:

    Hi everyone,
    Does anyone know about the effectiveness of natural treatment on different types of fibroids? Dr. Warshowsky states in his book that submucosal fibroids (of which I have one that is 2cm) are the most difficult to treat with natural methods. Has anyone successfully treated this type of fibroid with natural medicine?

    Thanks,
    Suzi

  11. Aja Says:

    Hi Suzi,
    Mine was submucosal and five cm. I was able to arrest its growth, but I was not able to keep from having disruptive symptoms and so I got focussed ultrasound for it. I agree with Dr. Warshowsky that it is extremely difficult to treat them with natural methods. I’m of two minds for you. One: get treated quickly before it gets larger and it is more symptomatic. And two: it is so much smaller than mine, maybe you have a fighting chance with natural treatments. Whatever you decide to do, keep us informed of how it all turns out. We are, essentially, eachother’s guinea pigs since this is all relatively new territory despite how common fibroids are.

    Best of luck!!!!

  12. suzi Says:

    Hi Aja,

    Thank you for the feedback. Given that I already follow an organic diet, I’m not sure adding herbs and reduction in stress would make a huge difference. I’m leaning toward having the procedure (although I am very scared), then using Dr. Warshowsky and others’ recommendations in order to prevent fibroids from reoccurring. Of course, give me an hour; I’ll probably change my mind again! =D

    Thank you, again!

  13. Aja Says:

    Hi Suzi,

    If it’s any comfort, I was really scared too. I was scared of getting blood drawn, I was scared of general anesthesia, I was scared of all of the treatment options, and then, once I figured out that my uterine bleeding was actually tapping into my circulatory system, I was afraid of bleeding to death. Really, the whole experience of getting sick is just one scary loathsome option after another — so what’s a girl to do? : )

    That said, the treatment has made such an improvement in my life, my health, and my overall outlook. I remain grateful — knock on wood, sign against the evil eye – that at present I do not have a more serious health issue than fibroids. And for all that I was frightened, nothing that I went through with treatment was even comparably unpleasant to what I was going through every single month.

    Best of luck on making your decisions! And I hope you feel better soon!

  14. suzi Says:

    Thank you, Aja. You have been a great help! I think I have decided to have the procedure even though I am still scared. Hopefully, everything will go smoothly.

  15. Aja Says:

    Best of luck with your treatment and check back in with us all to let us know how it went. Our thoughts will be with you.

    Here’s to a better, healthier new year for everyone on the site!

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  18. Ginger Says:

    I have recently started only eating organic fruits and vegetables and cut dairy out of my diet. I don’t have any symptom except that my belly is getting larger and larger. Has anyone tried the following 2 products to remove fibroids?

    One is the Fibroid Clear http://www.fibroidclear.com/
    The second is Fibroid Buster http://www.dherbs.com/store/fibroid-buster-cleanse-and-regimen-p-318.html

    Has anyone used these? What were your results? Each one would you recommend?

  19. martha Says:

    im martha for short,27 years old.had been diagnosed

  20. martha Says:

    im Martha for short,27 years old.had been diagnosed uterine myoma and ovarian cyst last April 2009, its a small in size.but i am too much worried if my experienced that was an abdominal pain during my first day of menstration will come back,my doctor prescribed me vit e with selenium,folart and vit c. she advised me too that i will be injecting GnRh for three shots this will be done every i have menstratrion.what preventive measures of abdominal pain because i cant tolerate the pain i suffer before.i really scared if my uterine myoma and ovarian cyst will grow fast?can you give me the diet that need to follow (you may include the herbal )and what food should i avoid?i kept on searching the diet for my condition,good i found this website,i knew it really help me. i really appreciate your advised.thank you so much!more power

  21. Duy Says:

    Best licensed naturopathic doctors in San Diego?

    Can anyone please recommend a naturopathic doctor in San Diego who is very knowledgeable about fibroids? My wife and I are seeking advice about her fibroid and possible alternative treatments.

    By the way, does anyone know if Vitex can be taken with RM-10? Also, does anyone have any success with Estrosense?

    Thank you!

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  23. Kels Says:

    Has anyone tried taking MSM for fibroids? I read that they help dissolve them.

  24. Crosby Gordon Says:

    With all the diseases that plagues mankind today, there is no way the hospital is the only choice people can find their deliverance and healing anymore they have to turn to these other means.

  25. Jo Says:

    Has anyone tried taking Maca Root? I started taking this a month ago and am taking a week off before resuming as recommended. My periods have been much easier (i have one hell of a time with bowel movements at times – especially with my period (I find myself doing birth contraction breathing to get through a poop) Also, I have much more energy and mental focus. However, my stomach is huge (seemingly more huge than before) and my cervix initially felt great presure, but that has gone down.
    I’m not sure whether to continue? I have an ultrasound scheduled in two weeks.

    Has anyone else had any experience with Maca Root also called Peruvian Ginsing??

  26. maitai Says:

    I have a uterine tumor 12cm now. found out a few yrs ago and it was at 9cm then. have been surfing the web and reading and researching for a couple of years …tired and so upset and now just scared that I can’t find anyone to just let me know what works for them. If you have or had a uterine tumor 10cm or bigger and was able to SHRINK your tumor by natural methods….please please email me at maitaz@yahoo.com

    I really need your help as I am to the point of going NUTS and really don’t want surgery

    email me at maitaz@yahoo.com

    with much peace and happy new year
    maitai fm tampa, fl

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  28. Sonya Kay Says:

    This is the nice site! I enjoy examples of articles which have been written, and especially the comments posted! I am going to definately be visiting again!

  29. Amy Says:

    maitai,

    Make sure you read all the comments on this thread… (make sure you look for the “older comments” at the bottom – there are over 200 comments on this… But please, try to keep an open mind, I’ve been reading this blog for years and it seems that if there really was something that worked naturally we’d know by now. All I see out there are people trying to capitalize on all the women who have fibroids. And we want to avoid surgery so much, we waste precious time looking for alternatives, while our fibroids grow (and cause more damage, more bleeding, more side effects and become harder to remove) and your bio clock continues to tick on. Try not to fall into that trap. Give your self a deadline for looking and then try conventional surgery – start reading about the different kinds of treatment here on this blog and you’ll see most women are just fine. Don’t let some bad stories scare you because this blog will have a higher number of difficult cases – because women who are fine, are less likely to be looking on the blog for help… but don’t beat yourself silly trying to find something that will work. Take care.

  30. Ovarian Cyst Cure Says:

    very good article. I really liked it.

  31. fingerx Says:

    Has anyone ever tried Agnus Castus before?
    I heard this herb is good for fibroids as it balances hormone.
    I tried it before for a couple of years, then started having discharge with blood so stopped taking it, then the discharge stopped.

    My homeopath recommends this herb but I would like to know if anyone had similar experience, or if anyone could shrink fibroids / improved symptoms.
    I am 43 year old with multiple large fibroids for over 9 years, just had UFE a month ago.

  32. Henrietta Barthelmes Says:

    I very much enjoy your blog posts, thank you so much you have helped me out greatly :) love is in the air.

  33. CECILIA CALLAHAN Says:

    Every time I come to blog.geekwithfibroids.com there is another fascinating post up to read. One of my friends was talking to me about this topic a couple weeks ago, so I think I’ll e-mail my friend the url here and see what they say.

  34. Supriya Bharti Says:

    Hi All,

    I delivered baby some 9 month back and during pregnancy i came to know that i have a big fibroid. I use to had heavy period before pregnancy but my gyna could never figured that its fibroid until i had first ultrasound after pregnancy. Full 9 months of pregnancy was very difficult was fibroid was growing big. It was 6*6 at start and then at one time it grew around 9*6, however around 8th month my radiologist told that its not blood sucking fibroid and its not going to grow. I had a horrible delivery and went through DIC and was in ICU for 2 days. I would say miracle only saved me because I was very critical at time of delivery.
    My gyna suggested to check fibroid after 4 month after delivery, when I checked it was 6*6, she said its not going to grow as its not blood sucking but chances of its reduction was also not there.
    Now that I am around 9 month post my delivery, I feel pain once in a while around the area where I have fibroid. I have moved to Austin,texas . I have following questions , pls respond based on your experience.

    1) Should I go for surgery or not? I have heard that fibroid could return… so I am scared that even if I do treatment they might return.
    2) Any good doctors around in Austin who could be good fibroid specialist?
    3) This was my first child and I am planning to have one more baby in future, pls advice what is best method to remove this fibroid?
    4) What if I choose not to remove them? Will it continue cause me pain. I did not have painful period in last couple of months as I use to have before pregnancy.
    5) Can fibroid be cancerous?

    • Vive Says:

      This is an old post, so you may not ever see it, but I wanted to share that I very much like my doctor here in Austin — Dr. Karen Swenson with Women Partner’s in Health. I went through difficult fibroid removal with her and I think she’s knowledgeable and trustworthy. If you end up needing to remove the fibroid — and it sounds quite large to keep — you may want to consider seeing a reproductive endocrinologist who will focus on preserving fertility. I worked with Dr. Thomas Vaughn at Texas Fertility, and though he’s a skilled surgeon, I think he’s an ass and wouldn’t recommend him. His partners are probably good, though.

  35. Kammey Says:

    I’m trying this now…give this a try this and let me know how it works for you!
    http://biotanicalhealth.com/products/fibroid-shrinking-kit/

    - Kammey

  36. Kammey Says:

    Fibroid Shrinking Kit by Biotanical Health
    $624 (3 month kit)

    The Fibroid Shrinking Kit is designed especially for women with extra-large fibroids, those experiencing severe symptoms, women who want to get pregnant with fibroids, and women who have gone through menopause but whose fibroids have not shrunk.
    http://biotanicalhealth.com/products/fibroid-shrinking-kit/

    Hope this helps!
    - Kammey

  37. Maria Says:

    I strongly advise to check the work of Bert Hellinger, a German psychotherapist who does amazing work. In his work, which deals with the family system, it transpires that anything relating to the family system has a bearing in our well being, especially when someone has been excluded. His webpage is: http://www.hellinger.com.
    When the spiritual/emotional cause is brought to light with love, chances are it will heal. In my case (I have lots of fibroids) it transpired -prepare yourselves, this is hard to accept for many: abortion (I had the morning after pill twice in my life and took the anticonceptive pill for many years). Unconciously we want to join the children we have lost (miscarriage or eggs lost during artificial insemination count also). Abortion cause a shock that creates an energy block in the lower abdomen. It is important to acknowledge our responsibility and then take the dead into our heart and keep living, for the good of life. I share this with you for the highest good of life everywhere.

  38. AJ Says:

    I’m so so so so grateful to geek with fibroids and all who shared their stories. I can now stop stressing do something abt this condition.

  39. Sharon007 Says:

    Hi Everyone,
    I’ve been reading everyone’s comments and have found it stress relieving.
    I have just recently been disgnosed with fibroid is about 1.5cm big, I am planning to have my first baby and would like to get rid of the fibroid naturally. I’ve been doing some research and have come accross different factors which contribute toward fibroids growth.
    I would like to share what I have found through my research, in the hope it can help you all.

    1. It is a well known fact that fibroids feed of estrogen and that being overweight does not help the situation.
    So the first thing would be is to lose weight as the fat cells store estrogen.

    2. Liver detox will help get rid of excess estrogen and help resore its health, there are various natural liver cleansers such as Milk Thistle, Dandelion Root, Artichokes and many other herbal remedies can help purify the liver.

    3. Reduce the consumption of extrogenic foods, such as red meat, chicken and full dairy products

    4. Increase that intake of Phyto-oestrogen foods. Phyto-Oestrogen helps maintain a hormone balance between Estrogen and Progestrone hormones. The best foods to eat that help promote hormone balance are:Soya Milk, Tofu, tempeh, soya beans, sprouts, all sprouted seeds, alfalfa, linseed, oil seeds, seasame, sunflower, uncooked olive oil, corn, barley, oats, parsley, cabbage, cauliflower broccoli, parsnips, celery, green peas, green beans, cucumbers, carrots and apples.

    I have not tried this diet yet, I have found the above information from several resources and will following this diet very soon. Will keep you guys posted on what the outcome is.

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  41. lenejoseph32 lene Says:

    many ways of theraphy can help as to relief our body problem i hope it works on you too..

  42. natural energy Says:

    There are many ways of the treatment of uterine fibroids and it depends on the treatment method and the doctor.
    But I think it is better to be careful about your health.

  43. Neon Light Says:

    you can say that alternative medicine is cheaper too and usually comes from natural sources .`~

  44. dennisehunter Says:

    herbal remedies and supplements is most healthy to me. Because

    herbal supplements is natural.
    Thanks. Dennise
    http://www.herbal-remedies.us

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