Fibroids are small tumours that grow in or on the wall of the womb, the number and size can vary - fibroids are not cancerous but they do cause a lot of discomfort including heavy periods, painful periods and irregular periods.
It is thought that oestrogen stimulates the growth of fibroids and menopausal women seldom suffer with condition. Fibroids can range from the size of a walnut to larger than a grapefruit and they grow and shrink according to hormone levels.
It is estimated that as many as 3 out of 4 women have uterine fibroids sometime during their lives and whilst some women do experience pelvic pain with fibroids, many do not even realise they have them.
However if they press on other pelvic organs, such as the bladder or bowel you may experience problems of incontinence and faecal incontinence. As added pressure is applied to your bladder by the fibroids the potential for suffering with urinary incontinence, or the loss of bladder control, as well as the possibility of frequent urination increases. Not only can this cause a great deal of pelvic pain and discomfort, but it can also be embarrassing.
Surgical Treatment for Fibroids
- Removing the fibroids from the uterus surgically (myomectomy)
- Hysterectomy - removal of the womb
Other (non surgical) Treatments for Fibroids
- Uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) a non-surgical procedure that deprives fibroids of their blood supply so they shrink in size.
- Medication to balance hormone levels within your body.
Natural Treatments for Fibroids
Balancing your hormones, especially oestrogen levels is essential. Supplements used to naturally reduce the growth of fibroids, include garlic, L-arginine and extracts of shiitake or maitake mushrooms.
Other helpful nutritional supplements that can possibly help to shrink uterine fibroids include coenzyme Q10, zinc, vitamin A and C. Ideally you need to follow a healthy diet to balance your hormone levels naturally.
Kegel Exercise can help with Fibroids and Pelvic Pain
By strengthening your pelvic floor using Kegel or pelvic floor exercises, you will ensure that your pelvic area is as strong and healthy as possible. Kegel8 not only strengthens your pelvic floor, helping to prevent incontinence and frequent urination, it also helps with pelvic pain from the fibroids too.
The Kegel8 Ultra 20 features 20 clinically proven programmes, including 3 especially designed to treat pelvic pain. It even includes a TENS programme which works via skin electrodes to give you natural, drug-free pain relief with no side effects.
