Fibroids occur in one out of five women and the cause is unknown, although it is believed that their continued growth is linked to a hormonal imbalance, more specifically, excess estrogen (Maciocia, 1998). 

The size of a fibroid, or myoma, can be tiny and seen only under a microscope, or quite large and even fill up the entire uterus. Smaller fibroids may cause no problems, and may not even be detectable. Larger fibroids can cause heavy periods, an urgency to urinate, and painful periods. The urinary symptoms occur when a larger fibroid is pressing up against the bladder. 

Unless fibroids are very large, most western doctors advise against surgical or drug intervention. When symptoms become more frequent, or more difficult to manage, there are very good options from both the standard, western, and natural health models. 

Types of Fibroids

There are three types of fibroids, classified by location: Those that adhere to the outside of the uterus (sub-serous), those within the muscle wall of the uterus (interstitial), and those on the inner lining of the uterus (submucosal). The most common is interstitial, and the rarest is submucosal (“Where do fibroids grow…, “2017).

Standard medical treatment of fibroids depends on the type and size of fibroid. If symptoms like heavy periods are not severe, the “wait and see” approach is recommended. It is only when the fibroid continues to grow that investigative procedures, such as ultrasound or CT scan, are recommended. 

Treatments are also chosen based upon the type of fibroid. This may include simple ultrasound to heat up the fibroid and help it dissolve, radiofrequency to break up the fibroid, or ablation to freeze/pulverize the fibroid. All of these will essentially cut off the blood supply to the fibroid and allow it to dissolve. Fibroids that are very large will require surgical intervention, and surgeries are now much more sophisticated and require less recovery time than in the past. However, fibroids often grow back in more than fifty percent of cases even after a successful procedure.

long-term resolution using acupuncture & Herbs for fibroids

Preventing recurrence and slowing the growth of fibroids is a challenge. Commonly used for this purpose are GnRH analogues, hormonal IUDs, and birth control pills containing only progestin. Because fibroids are linked with higher-than-average estrogen levels, standard medical intervention involves the use of progesterone and/or estrogen-blocking agents to prevent build-up of the lining of the uterus. These methods do not alter the fibroid itself; their goal is to shift hormonal balance to inhibit growth of the lining of the uterus, and in this way help slow growth of fibroids as a side effect.

GnRH analogues can only be used for six months, due to their negative side effects such as headaches, and because they significantly increase the risk of osteoporosis. Hormonal IUD’s and birth control pills also have side effects in many women; altering hormones artificially can lead to dysregulation of immune system and make one more prone to auto-immune disorders (Williams, 2017). The down-regulation of estrogen also leads to menopausal symptoms and/or amenorrhea (loss of menstrual cycle).

Gonadotropin-releasing (GnRH) hormone analogues can be used to block production of estrogen and progesterone, however, these have side effects that mimic menopausal symptoms. The main side effects are hot flashes, stopping the menses, and hirsutism (hair growth on face), in other words, masculinizing effects. (“Fibroids,” n.d.). A progestin-releasing IUD is sometimes prescribed to help control heavy bleeding from fibroids (“Fibroids,” n.d.), however, there is some evidence that progesterone also leads to continued growth of fibroids (“Hormones and fibroids…,” 2019).

Even surgery to remove fibroids (myomectomy) is statistically not very effective with 80-90 percent of women requiring a repeat surgery within five years due to the growth of new fibroids. Using acupuncture and herbal methods offers a safe and effective solution for the reduction and even potential resolution of fibroids.

Herbs for fibroids

Herbal treatment for fibroids is very effective in regulating the estrogen-progesterone balance, protecting the pelvic organs by shrinking inflammation, and helping restore circulatory pathways to improve menstrual cycles, reduce pain, and shrink fibroids.

Herbal formulas for pelvic pain originate in prescriptions written thousands of years ago, and permutations of these are used today to shrink fibroids. The Chinese materia medica lists herbs based on their inherent taste, temperature and channel correspondence, along with examples of use singly and in formulas.

Some examples of commonly used herbs for gynecology, and in particular, to reduce uterine growths such as fibroids, cysts, and endometriosis:

• Angelica (Radix Angelica sinensis)root, dang gui is an exemplar herb for restoring healthy blood production to organs and soft tissues.
• The “Blood Invigorating” herbs include persica (Semen Pruni persicae) seed, tao ren, and safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) flower, hong hua, help dissolve dead blood, or stagnated blood in the uterus.
• Zedoary (Curcuma Zedoaria rhizome), e zhu, and burreed (Sparganium rhizome) tuber, san leng, are particularly powerful to reduce solid masses.
• Mugwort (Folium artemisiae argyi) leaf, ai ye, is a well-known remedy for menstrual problems; it is warming, enters the Liver, Spleen and Kidney channels thereby affecting the pelvic organs.

Usually formulas contain an average of 10-20 herbs; the synergistic effect of herbal combinations almost always outweighs the benefits of ingesting single herbs.

It is important to employ a strategy that stops fibroids from growing, while also addressing hormonal levels. Studies show that the synergistic effects of herbal formulas lower estrogen, an effect that is positive for numerous systems in the body. Herbs contained in many gynecological Chinese medicine formulas stimulate the liver to change estrogen from a more active to a less active form (Rister, 1999).

Herbal combinations to reduce pelvic inflammation and shrink fibroids, and cysts, such as the flagship formula Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang (Resolve Masses in the Lower Abdomen) have been clinically proven to help control bleeding, control estrogen production and curb basic fibroblast growth factor, bgFg (Rister, 1999).

The hormone bfGf (basic fibroid Growth factor) is responsible for the growth of fibroids and is the one responsible for the rampant growth of fibroids that impede fertility. When fibroids become large they may block the sperm from entering the follicle. Studies show that this hormone is especially active at ovulation, because it interacts with the shifting estrogen to progesterone in the body at that time (Anania et al., 1997).

Acupuncture for Fibroids

Whereas herbs penetrate into the tissues to influence hormones, blood circulation, and cellular health, acupuncture provides an external stimulus that promotes faster healing. Using points along the meridians that cross the pelvic area, namely the Kidney, Spleen, and Liver, quickly reduces inflammation and targets the regulatory centers of the brain such as brain stem, hypothalamus and pituitary.

Certain acupuncture strategies that help restore hormonal balance mention the Chong mai, or Penetrating channel because of its empirical use in gynecology. This is an extraordinary vessel in laymen’s terms. This type of vessel contains points that combine several meridians and is more focused on stabilizing women’s hormonal levels.

The Chong mai is said to transform kidney essence into menstrual blood, and as such, it plays a key role in maintaining healthy menstruation. Particularly concerned with adequate movement of blood throughout the body, it can be used to treat any sort of blood stasis pattern, including certain gynecological, circulatory, musculoskeletal and hormonal pathologies. I often combine points on the Chong mai with traditional points that “dispel stasis, move blood, and nourish yin”. This means I can adjust the treatment for any age or condition, from women seeking help with fertility to menopausal and post-menopausal women.

Acupuncture and herbs offer a safe, non-invasive and effective approach for treating fibroids, and can be a first line of treatment to manage pain, regulate and restore a healthy menstrual cycle, balance hormones, and shrink or lessen fibroid.

REFERENCES

Anania, C., Stewart, E. Quade, B., Hill, J., & Nowak, R. (1997).  Expression of the fibroblast growth factor receptor in women with leiomyomas and abnormal uterine bleeding, Molecules in Human Reproduction, 3(8), 685-691.

Hormones and fibroids: The role of estrogen and progesterone. (2019). Retrieved from https://www.usafibroidcenters.com/blog/hormones-and-fibroids-the-role-of-progesterone-and-estrogen/

Lyttleton, J. (2013). Treatment of infertility with Chinese medicine. United Kingdom: Elsevier Health Sciences.

Maciocia, G. (1998). Obstetrics and gynecology in Chinese medicine. New York: Churchill Livingstone.

Rister, R. (1999). Japanese herbal medicine: The healing art of Kampo. Avery Publishing Group, Inc.: New York.

Uterine fibroids: When is treatment with hormones considered? (2006). Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279532/

Uterine fibroids (n.d.) Retrieved from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/uterine-fibroids/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20354294

Where do fibroids grow? The 4 types of fibroids explained. (2017). Retrieved from https://www.azuravascularcare.com/infoufe/fibroids-explained/

Williams WV. (2017). Hormonal contraception and the development of autoimmunity: A review of the literature. Linacre Quarterly. 84(3), 275-295. doi: 10.1080/00243639.2017.1360065.