Uterine fibroid tumors affect up to 80% of women in the US alone. Conventional treatments for fibroids leave much to be desired when considering the drawbacks.
Drug therapy aims to change the ratio of hormones or the level of hormones to slow the growth of fibroids. Drugs like Lupron effectively stop hormone production; others introduce androgens that mimic testosterone. Side effects are of course highly undesirable. These include mood swings, hot flashes, lack of libido, increased body and facial hair, and even a lowered voice.
The various surgeries such as myomectomy, embolization, fibroid coagulation and hysterectomy also have drawbacks, the most obvious being total removal of the uterus. Less radical surgical approaches will create scar tissue and may interfere with a future pregnancy. Also, surgery doesn’t address the underlying cause of uterine fibroids to begin with, and many women experience a recurrence.
So what are the alternatives? You may be surprised to learn that you have options for treating fibroid tumors. Here are the five steps to becoming fibroid-free forever:
1. AVOID HORMONAL CONTRACEPTIVES AND HORMONE REPLACEMENT DRUGS. The driving force behind the growth of fibrosis, such as fibroid tumors, is excess estrogen. If you are taking oral contraceptives or any type of hormonal contraception (ie DeproProvera, etc.), discontinue it and use alternative methods of birth control. If you are currently on estrogen replacement, tell your doctor you want to stop it. (After your fibroids are gone, you can explore bioidentical hormone replacement with a qualified doctor.) There is a great deal of misinformation about the use of estrogen in medicine.
2. AVOID FOOD AND OTHER SOURCES OF ESTROGEN. Certain foods are extremely high in estrogen and can introduce as much or more estrogen into your body as some hormonal contraceptives! In a 2006 study, “The Phytoestrogen Content of Foods Consumed in Canada,” the foods with the highest estrogen content are:
Phytoestrogen content (mcg/100g approx. 4 ounces)
Flax seed 379,380
Soy beans 103,920
Tofu 27,150.1
Soy yogurt 10,275
Sesame seed 8008.1
Linen bread 7540
Black bean sauce 5330.3
Multigrain bread 4798.7
Soy milk 2957.2
humus 993
Note the high amount of estrogen in flaxseeds. Avoid flax oil! Avoid soy products!
Another great source of estrogen is xenoestrogens (also called zenoestrogens), which are substances that mimic the natural hormone. They are found in pesticides, herbicides, some chemical solvents, petroleum, and exhaust gases. Then there are the plastics, from PVC pipes to food wrappers. Avoid heating food on or covered by plastic. Avoid hot drinks in plastic. Keep plastic water bottles cool to reduce the risk of plastics seeping into the contents.
3. USE A PURE PROGESTERONE CREAM. Natural progesterone cream is safe, free of side effects, and easy to use. It is available over the counter at health food stores. Progesterone supplementation helps balance hormones. Progesterone keeps estrogen production in check and in doing so prevents the negative effects of estrogen from flourishing. Using natural progesterone cream elevates mood and fights depression quickly. However, it is vital to choose the right cream. Avoid any progesterone cream that is not 100% pure and free of other ingredients. Many add phytoestrogens to “balance” the product!
4. TAKE MYOMIN. Myomin is an all-natural Chinese herbal formula that has been shown to help metabolize unhealthy estrogen and promote proper hormonal balance. Hospital research has shown that Myomin helps reduce the size and symptoms of myomas (fibroids) found in the breast, uterus, and ovaries. It is especially helpful when these conditions have been encouraged by estrogen dominance.
5. TAKE SYSTEMIC ENZYMES TO DIGEST FIBROIDS. While the first four steps to getting rid of fibroids have focused on balancing your hormones, enzymes are the secret weapon that will dramatically speed up your treatment results. In Europe and Asia, systemic enzymes have been used successfully to dissolve fibroids for decades. Because fibroids are made of fibrin, the fibrin-digesting enzymes will effectively eat away at fibroid tumors. It is not a question of if the tumors will dissolve, but only when.
While many have heard of digestive enzyme supplements taken to help digest food, systemic enzymes are different. These formulas are taken between meals so that the protein- and fibrin-eating enzymes enter the bloodstream and begin their work throughout the body.
While individual results will vary, most women will report significant fibroid shrinkage within 6-8 weeks, with improvement in their symptoms within the first 2-4 weeks, often immediately due to the anti-inflammatory properties of these formulas to alleviate the pain. (Systemic enzymes are a healthy replacement for nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs “NSAIDs”). Most women experience a disappearance of the tumors within three to five months.
Enzymes are safe to take with other supplements and prescription medications, except blood thinners such as Plavix, Coumadin, Warfarin, and Heparin. This is because systemic enzymes naturally thin the blood by cleansing it of excess fibrin, pathogens, and other protein-based debris, and together with the enzymes, the anticoagulant would thin the blood too much.
While not all enzyme formulas are effective, the few that are powerful enough to deliver results are expensive – up to $180 per month. Most formulas require a dosage of 9 to 30 capsules per day. However, a new, more potent formula has been released that costs $45 a month and requires a dosage of just three capsules a day, bringing the cost down to $1.50 a day.