Chinese Herbs for Uterine Fibroids
Leiomyomas of the Uterus Reduced Without Invasive Medical Procedures
Fibroid growths in the uterus can cause infertility, pain, urinary incontinence and heavy bleeding. Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine reduces fibroids in many cases.
An alternative to hormone therapy or surgery, Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine offers safe options for reducing fibroid masses in the uterus. For many women these centuries old treatments are regaining popularity.
What are Uterine Fibroids?
Uterine fibroid growths in the muscle and connective tissue of the uterus are generally benign masses. Also called uterine fibromyomas, leiomyomas or myomas, they can cause lower back pain, painful menses and may put pressure on the bladder, increasing the need to urinate. Other secondary effects of uterine fibroids may include infertility, miscarriage or early onset of labor, making them a serious concern for women in their childbearing years.
Western Medical Options for Treating Fibroids
There is a link between estrogen production and uterine fibroids. Fibroids usually shrink as estrogen levels decline during menopause, so doing nothing may be the best option for women experiencing minimal side effects.
Two surgical procedures to deal with fibroids are total hysterectomy or myomectomy, which is the removal of just the fibroids. Hormone treatments with birth control pills or male hormones may also be an option, but many women experience significant side effects from these medications.
Uterine artery embolization, injecting small particles into the arteries of the uterus to stop the blood supply to the fibroids, is another option. Complications include possible compromise of blood supply to the ovaries or other organs. More recently focused ultrasound treatments have been used with some success but the procedure is not successful in all cases.
Traditional Chinese Herbal Treatment of Fibroids
In Traditional Chinese Medicine Yin Deficiency Fire, Liver Qi Stagnation with Spleen Qi Deficiency or Qi and Blood Stagnation are the three ways in which fibroids might present themselves to the TCM practitioner. Thus in Chinese Medicine, there are three very different approaches to treating uterine fibroid masses depending on the individual woman’s signs and symptoms.
Yin Deficiency Fire is common in women who use up their yin or feminine energy over time. Chronic illness may also result in yin deficiency. In this case, a formula which drains the fire while supporting the yin would be used. American ginseng might be included in this case.
Qi Stagnation is often brought on by emotional stress. Both Qi Stagnation and Blood Stasis may be a result of trauma as in major surgery, a significant injury or even a difficult childbirth. When the Blood and Qi are blocked from moving smoothly around the body aches, pains and masses often result. Dong Quai and other herbs may be used in a formula to both invigorate and tonify Qi and Blood is appropriate for women presenting with qi and blood stagnation.
Spleen Qi Deficiency with Liver Qi Stagnation is the third way in which fibroids may present in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Women with this pattern may present with digestive problems and irritability. The formula used for these women might include hawthorn fruits (Shan Zha) .
Women suffering from uterine fibroids would do well to consider consulting a Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner who will develop a formula specific to the individual for help in treating this condition.
