What Are Uterine Fibroids?
Uterine fibroids are noncancerous growths on uterine walls. These growths appear during the childbearing years. Biologically, they are known as leiomyomas or myomas. It is a common problem and benign, which means they don’t result in cancer.
Fibroids occur in varied sizes that range from small seedlings to large masses that distort the shape of the uterus. The total number of fibroids range from one to many. If overlooked, fibroids may expand the uterus to a level where it starts touching the rib cage.
A woman may spend a lifetime with uterine fibroids without any problem. Their presence is threatening when their growth starts interfering with normal body functions.
Symptoms Of Uterine Fibroids
The symptoms of fibroids are directly related to their number, size, and location. The common signs of fibroids include:
- Consistent pain in back and legs.
- Constipation.
- Frequent urination.
- Heavy bleeding during periods.
- Menstrual bleeding lasts for more than a week.
- Difficulty in urination.
- Pain and feeling of pressure in the pelvic region.
Under severe conditions, a fibroid may result in intense pain. Women feel pain and contractions because the fibroid detaches from uterine walls and starts dying.
Types of Fibroids
Uterine fibroids are classified according to their location. Generally, there are three types of fibroids:
- Intramural Fibroids: These fibroids develop in the muscular walls of the uterus.
- Submucosal Fibroids: These fibroids grow in the form of bulges in the uterine cavity.
- Subserosal Fibroids: These grow outside the uterus.
Causes of Uterine Fibroids
Careful observations and clinical experience describe the following as the causes of fibroids:
- Hormones: Estrogen and progesterone, stimulate the growth and development of inner uterine layers. Both these hormones get active to prepare the uterus for pregnancy and the menstrual cycle. Fibroids have more receptors for these two hormones than regular uterine muscles. It speeds up their growth in the uterine layers.
- Genetic Changes: Sometimes, genetic changes also lead to the formation of fibroids. The genes present in these growths are different from those of uterine muscle cells.
Extracellular Matrix (ECM): ECM is the glue that keeps cells intact with each other. It is like cement that keeps all bricks together. The amount of ECM is larger in fibroids as it increases their density.
Ayurvedic Approach To Fibroids
Ayurveda states that uterine fibroids are the result of dosha imbalance in our body. Primarily, it is the Kapha dosha that leads to the growth of fibroids in the uterus. But if the developments are accompanied by bleeding, then there is another dosha involved in it, the pitta dosha. Also, the uterus is said to be the home to Apana vata which makes it a vata dosha.
Usually, fibroids develop when women are close to menopause. They often result in all the above symptoms. Some may need surgery, while medications may cure the others.
Ayurvedic Treatment of Uterine Fibroids
The ayurvedic treatment for uterine fibroids starts with a detailed meeting with the patient. The doctor then reviews reports of all previous treatments and remedies given to the patient. If needed, the doctor may ask you to go for some medical tests. A prognosis is made after checking and confirming all details. The patient is then informed about the treatment, its requirements, and precautions needed to be taken. Herbal medicines, panchakarma therapies, diet restrictions, and yoga are used in different combinations to cure fibroids. The duration of treatment goes from three months to a year, depending on the patient’s rate of recovery. The medicines recommended for fibroids depend on the type of fibroids, symptoms, and causes.
Ayurvedic Tips On Managing Uterine Fibroids
Ayurveda suggests a Kapha Pacifying diet to reduce the formation of fibroids. The diet should include the following:
- Grains like oats, millets, barley, quinoa, and buckwheat.
- Vegetables like cabbage, cauliflower, and beans.
- Ghee is a minimal quantity.
- Fruits like cherries, figs, pomegranates, apples, pears, and peaches.
If the condition involves heavy bleeding, then the patient needs to focus on a Pitta Pacifying diet. It will include:
- Grains like Barley, amaranth, wheat, and rice.
- Ghee and coconut oil.
- Fruits like figs, dates, coconuts, apples, and pineapple.
- All green vegetables along with cucumber, beans, peas, and carrots.
- Ayurveda also recommends some herbs like Gotu kola, turmeric, Shatavari, and mulethi (liquorice) in the diet. On a nutritional level, the patient must increase her Vitamin C intake. Vitamin C controls heavy bleeding resulting from fibroids.
Why Choose Ayurveda?
Ayurveda focuses on the elimination of diseases at the deepest level. It includes Shodhan (detoxification) and Shaman (balancing doshas) of the body. A purified body receives and responds to medications in a positive way. Also, ayurvedic medicines are herbal; they are soft on the body and carry no side-effects. It results in the elimination of the disease by root and significantly fewer chances of repetition.
Hope you found this post informative. Stay tuned.
