Uterine fibroids, also called lyeiomyomas or myomas, are benign, non-cancerous growths made of muscle and fibrous connective tissue that arise in or on the uterus. Uterine fibroids generally affect women of childbearing age. They can be of different sizes, ranging from as small as a pea to as large as a melon. A single or multiple fibroids may appear with their location varying from case to case. Homeopathy provides an effective treatment for uterine fibroids. First, the homeopathic medicines offer symptomatic relief in uterine fibroids. Symptoms like prolonged or heavy periods, heavy menstrual flow, and pelvic pain are addressed with these medicines. Over a period of time, the size of the fibroids gradually reduces with the continued use of these medicines. The modern system of medicine consider surgery to remove uterine fibroids, but there are always chances that the uterine fibroids reappear. Homeopathic medicines, however, work well using the individualized approach. One can do away with the need for surgery in fibroids of mild to moderate size. Besides, infertility due to uterine fibroids can be treated with regular homeopathic treatment under the guidance of a homeopath with proper follow-ups.
How Homoeopathy helps in treating Uterine Fibroids
Homeopathy targets the root cause
To cure any disease, it is important to identify and address the underlying cause. An imbalance in female hormones is the foremost reason behind the growth of fibroids. Homeopathic medicines help in resolving the root cause of the fibroids, stop their further growth and reduce their size gradually. In conventional mode, doctors generally recommend birth control pills to manage the symptoms that does not cure the disease. Hence, after discontinuation of hormonal pills, the menstrual irregularity worsens. Homoeopathy not only helps in managing symptoms but also contributes to long-term healing, unlike conventional treatment.
Treatment based on peculiar symptoms
Homeopathy does not support the use of a similar medicine that is prescribed for all cases of uterine fibroids. Rather homeopathic medicines are prescribed keeping in mind the peculiar characteristic symptoms of the patient. This is the key to getting relief in any given case.
Top 11 Homweopathic Medicines for Uterine Fibroids
The top medicines for Uterine Fibroids are Thlaspi Bursa Pastoris, Calcarea Carbonica, Sabina Officinalis, Sepia Officinalis, Ustilago Maydis, Fraxinus Americana, Trillium Pendulum, Erigeron Canadensis, Aurum Muriaticum Natronatum, Thuja Occidentalis and Phosphorus.
1. Thlaspi Bursa Pastoris – For Uterine Fibroids with Prolonged Menses
Thlaspi Bursa is one of the best medicines that cures uterine fibroids with prolonged menses. The menses continue for 10-15 days and appear frequently. The onset of the next menstrual cycle happens even before the recovery from the previous one. Profuse hemorrhages are there with expulsion of large clots. Violent uterine colic during menses may be an accompanying factor. Cramping pain in the uterus during menstruation in uterine fibroids cases is also suggestive of the use of Thlaspi Bursa Pastoris. It is also administered for Leucorrhea before and after menses which is bloody, dark, and offensive.
When to use Thlaspi Bursa Pastoris?
It is administered for uterine fibroids with prolonged menses that may continue for about 10-15 days. The menstrual bleeding is profuse with large clots and crampy pain in uterus.
How to use Thlaspi Bursa Pastoris?
It is administered in 30C power one to two times daily for best results.
2. Calcarea Carbonica – For Heavy Periods from Uterine Fibroids
Calcarea Carbonica is a wonderful medicine for treating heavy periods from uterine fibroids. The menses begin very early, and are profuse and are prolonged. There is sharp, cutting pain in the uterus even before the menses begin. Vertigo during the menses may accompany. Leucorrhea of milky, thick or yellowish colour is another complaint that may be present. Menstrual flow returns every three weeks, for about next seven days with copious flow.
When to use Calcarea Carbonica?
This medicine is administered in women with heavy uterine bleeding due to uterine fibroids leading to sterility. Menstrual bleeding is copious and menses are too early.
How to use Calcarea Carbonica?
Use of Calcarea Carbonica is recommended in 30C power initially. Potency can be raised to 200C but only after one has consulted a qualified homoeopath.
3. Sabina Officinalis – For Uterine Fibroids With Clotting During Menses Blood
In the cases of uterine fibroid with menstrual bleeding accompanying clots, Sabina Officinalis is an important medicine. The slightest motion increases menstrual bleeding that is profuse and bright. Pain from sacrum to pubis is another accompanying factor. During the menses, pain in the uterus may be present that gets better when one lies supine. Uterine pain may extend to the thighs. Other symptoms include acrid, foul, corrosive, yellow leucorrhoea.
When to use Sabina Officinalis?
The key symptoms to use this medicine is menstrual bleeding with clots accompanied by pain from sacrum to pubis.
How to use Sabina Officinalis?
Sabina officinalis can be ingested in 30C power one or two times daily as per the intensity of the symptoms.
4. Sepia Officinalis – For Uterine Fibroids With Painful Menses
Sepia Officinalis is a wonderful medicine for uterine fibroids when the menses are very painful. There is a constant bearing down sensation as if everything would escape from vulva. Menses begin early and are quite copious or may be irregular with late and scanty flow. It is also administered in cases of burning, griping, or bearing down pains during menses. Chilliness and fainting during menses may accompany. Sepia Officinalis is also administered for treating painful intercourse in uterine fibroids cases.
When to use Sepia Officinalis?
This medicine can be used to manage painful menses with burning, griping, or bearing down pains. Irregular menses is also a key feature for the use of this remedy.
How to use Sepia Officinalis?
Sepia Officinalis 30C can be administered once a day. Potency can be raised to 200C after seeking advice from a qualified homoeopath.
5. Ustilago Maydis – For Uterine Fibroids with Dark Menstrual Bleeding
Ustilago Maydis is a very effective medicine for uterine fibroids where menstrual bleeding is clotted, dark, and stringy. The cervix is sensitive and could bleed easily. There is discharge of red bright blood even on slight trigger. It is also administered in menorrhagia at climaxis and post-partum hemorrhages.
When to use Ustilago Maydis?
This medicine is recommended when there is dark, stringy menstrual flow along with clots.
How to use Ustilago Maydis?
Ustilago Maydis is recommended in mother tincture (Q) form with 5-7 drops once or twice a day
for good results.
6. Fraxinus Americana – For Uterine Fibroids With Bearing Down Sensation
Fraxinus Americana is a top grade medicine for uterine fibroids which is mostly recommended when one complains of a bearing down sensation in the pelvis. It is also effective in treating other menopausal concerns like hot flashes or if the uterus gets enlarged due to fibrous growths or the prolapse of the uterus.
When to use Fraxinus Americana?
It is recommended where the key symptom is bearing-down sensation in the pelvis.
How to use Fraxinus Americana?
It is commonly used in mother tincture (Q) form, 5-7 drops 2-3 times in a day.
7. Trillium Pendulum – For Uterine Fibroids With Back Pain During Periods
To treat back pain during menstrual cycle in case of uterine fibroids, Trillium Pendulum is the best medicine. The pain may radiate from the back to the hips during menses. Tight binding of the back and hips brings relief. Menstrual bleeding is bright red and gushing type. Even little movement increases uterine bleeding. Trillium Pendulum is also recommended to bring relief where there is inter-menstrual bleeding every two weeks. The woman might faint from excessive uterine bleeding.
When to use Trillium Pendulum?
This medicine helps in relieving back pain during menses in uterine fibroid cases where there is bright red and gushing menstrual bleeding.
How to use Trillium Pendulum?
Use this medicine in 30C potency twice a day for good results.
8. Erigeron Canadensis – For Frequent Urination In Cases Of Uterine Fibroids
Erigeron Canadensis is the most effective in treating frequent urination in cases of uterine fibroids. Some women may also complain of painful urination. There may be excessive menstrual bleeding which is bright red in color. Erigeron Canadensis is also used for inter-menstrual bleeding due to exertion.
When to use Erigeron Canadensis?
The characteristic feature for using this medicine is frequent urination linked with uterine fibroids.
How to use Erigeron Canadensis?
Erigeron Canadensis may be used in 30C or 200C potency once a day.
9. Aurum Muriaticum Natronatum — For Uterine Fibroids With Induration Of Uterus
This medicine works well if there is induration (thickness) of glands and tissues, which is chronic. Uterus is indurated with a feeling of weight and bearing down. Menses may be irregular or prolonged, profuse, often clotted and dark. It is also recommended to relieve leucorrhoea which may be watery or thick, yellowish and offensive. One feels pain in the pelvis and lower abdomen that extends to the back and thighs. Enlargement or induration of ovaries may be seen along with fibroids.
When to use Aurum Muraticum Natronatum ?
It is indicated when there is feeling of heaviness and bearing down in abdomen, along with profuse, dark and prolonged menses in cases of long standing uterine fibroids.
How to use Aurum Muraticum Natronatum?
Recommended in 30C potency or in biochemic form (3X or 6X) twice or thrice a day.
10. Thuja Occidentalis — For Females With Tendency To Uterine Growths
Thuja Occidentalis is best for treating uterine fibroids with excessive and prolonged or irregular bleeding with dark clots. There is bearing-down sensation in the pelvic region, as if something would fall off while walking. The uterus is indurated and enlarged with tendency to polypi or condylomatous growths. Menstrual flow is too frequent, profuse and long lasting leaving extreme weakness and exhaustion.
When to use Thuja Occidentalis?
It is best when the uterus has tendency to growths, polypi or condylomataous. It is indicated in cases with frequent, prolonged and irregular bleeding.
How to use Thuja Occidentalis?
It can be used in different potencies from 30CH ,200CH and 1M according to severity of the symptoms. Consultation with a homoeopathic physician is important before raising the potency.
11. Phosphorus — For Uterine Fibroids With Bright Red And Profuse Bleeding
Phosphorus is recommended when there is heavy flow with bright-red bleeding, which is sudden, gushing, and exhausting. Periods last longer than usual and worsened by the slightest exertion, emotional excitement or even talking. One becomes very weak with a possibility of anemia due to repeated hemorrhages causing trembling. One may faint or express a desire to lie down. The uterus is sensitive with pressure in pelvic area.
When to use phosphorus?
It is recommended if there is heavy, bright-red bleeding for long periods causing extreme exhaustion and anemia.
How to use phosphorus?
Initially, use Phosphorus in 30C potency once a day. Raise the potency to 200C or 1M after consulting a homeopathic doctor.
Types of Uterine Fibroids
Uterine Fibroids are of 3 major types based on their location within the uterus:
1. Sub-serosal Fibroids – Present on the outer surface of the uterus, they can grow large and put pressure on other organs leading to frequent urination or constipation.
2. Sub-mucosal Fibroids – Lying just beneath the lining of the uterine cavity, they cause heavy bleeding and prolonged menses.
3. Intra-mural Fibroids – The most common type of fibroids, they develop between the uterine muscles.
Major Causes and Risk Factors for Uterine Fibroids
Though the exact cause of uterine fibroids is not known, there are several factors that contribute to the formation of fibroids.
1. Hormonal Imbalance: Two key hormones that are believed to play a major role in development of uterine fibroids are Estrogen and Progesterone. They tend to stimulate the growth of uterine fibroids during the reproductive years and shrink during menopause.
2. Age: Females between 30-40 years of age are more prone to develop uterine fibroids and the risk increases by the time they reach their 50s.
3. Genetic Factors: A family history for uterine fibroids (in first degree relatives mother or sister) increases the risk of fibroids.
4. Obesity and Diet: Being obese or overweight increases the risk of fibroids. A poor diet deprived of fresh fruits and vegetables may become a contributing factor to uterine fibroids.
Symptoms of Uterine Fibroids
Common symptoms exhibited by a woman suffering from uterine fibroids are:
1.Heavy prolonged menstrual bleeding: One of the most common symptoms of uterine fibroids is heavy menstrual flow for a long period .
2. Pain in pelvic region: The enlargement of fibroids can cause sharp or dull pain in the lower abdomen.
3. Frequent Urination: Due to fibroids increasing in size gradually, it puts pressure on the urinary bladder causing frequent urination or constant urge and need to pass urine.
4. Dyspareunia: Sub-serosal type of uterine fibroids can cause pain during intercourse due to the pressure they exert on the uterine lining.
5. Complications in pregnancy, miscarriages and infertility.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. At what age do women develop uterine fibroids?
Uterine fibroids mainly affect women around the age of 30–40 years. Their size tends to decrease after menopause.
2. Are uterine fibroids cancerous?
No. Uterine fibroids are generally always benign. Cancer-causing uterine fibroids are very rare.
3. I have been bearing heavy menstrual bleeding for months now. Could it be due to uterine fibroids?
Heavy bleeding during menses is one of the key indications of uterine fibroids. However, it may be due to other reasons like uterine polyps, endometriosis and adenomyosis. Final diagnosis may require further investigation.
4. Is surgery the only solution to removing fibroids?
No, fibroids over 6 cm need to be surgically removed. Fibroids less than 5 cm can be effectively managed with conservative approaches. So, surgery is required only in complicated cases or with severe symptoms.
5. Is it possible that fibroids are present but there are no symptoms?
Yes. Many women have fibroids but show no symptoms. They are often detected during routine ultrasound examinations.
6. Are uterine fibroids one of the reasons for infertility?
Not always. Only some fibroids, mostly those that distort the uterine cavity, may interfere with conception or implantation.
7. Are uterine fibroids cancerous?
No. Uterine fibroids are generally always benign. Cancer-causing uterine fibroids are very rare.
8. What are the complications linked with uterine fibroids?
The complications that may arise due to presence of uterine fibroids are very heavy menstrual flow, anemia, twisting of the fibroids, and infertility.
9. Can uterine fibroids shrink on their own?
Fibroids may shrink after menopause due to reduced hormone levels.However, they usually require treatment during the reproductive years.
10. Can lifestyle changes help in managing fibroids?
Definitely. Regular exercise, a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables, maintaining healthy weight, stress management and avoiding excess estrogen-rich foods can help in keeping uterine fibroids away.
11. What does investigation of uterine fibroids involve?
An ultrasound of the pelvis helps to find uterine fibroids. Their size, number and location is revealed by this method.