FIBROIDS

What are they? What causes them? How can you get rid of them?

For my entire life I have been hearing about ‘fibroids’ or what the older folks used to call ‘growth’. What particularly amazed me was how women around me would suddenly start having huge abdomens that just seemed to keep growing for no apparent reason! (no wonder the condition was called ‘growth’!) Then you would hear “oh she has fibroids”. I must say that this actually scared me a bit, and it led me to wonder why this issue is so prevalent in black women (because if I know 5 black women at least 4 of them have fibroids, however that is not the case with caucasian women). I therefore thought I would do some research on fibroids.

What are Uterine Fibroids?

Uterine fibroids are tumours which grow from the cells forming the muscle of the uterus (womb). These fibroids can either grow on the wall of the uterus, (and thereby push into the bladder, bowel or intestine) or they can grow within the uterine wall. Fibroids can be as small as a pea or as large as even a football, however they are almost always benign (non-cancerous) no matter how large they get. If a fibroid or a cluster of fibroids is large or is growing on the outside of the wall of the uterus it can sometimes push the uterus aside or cause it to grow abnormally. It can also put pressure on the bladder or the intestines. In some cases a large fibroid may even block the opening of the uterus which can cause fertility problems or if the woman is pregnant she may need to have a caesarean delivery.

What Causes Fibroids?

Mainstream medicine will tell you that no one really knows what causes fibroids, however it is a well known fact that changes in oestrogen levels do play a significant role in their growth! This therefore tells me that the consumption of soy products as well as meat packed with hormones (especially chicken, beef and farmed fish) will definitely lead to the growth and development of fibroids. It also suggests that the use of some types of contraceptive pills will also assist in the growth and development of these fibroids.  As a woman approaches menopause and her oestrogen levels decrease, fibroids tend to shrink or almost disappear.

Now why do they affect black women more than any other race? Your guess is as good as mine because research has not yet uncovered the reason, however according to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, 80% of black women will develop benign fibroid tumours by their mid to late 40s and are 3 times more likely to develop fibroids than a Caucasian woman. National surveys in the USA have shown that black women have a lower intake of calcium, magnesium and phosphorus and this is believed could be a factor. [We need to check our diet!!!]

What are the symptoms?

Many women will have fibroids and not even know that they do! Some of the symptoms which will be experienced are:

• Painful menstrual periods
• Prolonged and excessive menstrual bleeding (which can lead to an iron deficiency or anaemia)
• More frequent urination (caused by pressure on the bladder)
• Feeling of pressure on the lower abdomen
• Pelvic pain
• Backache
• Constipation
• Infertility
• Miscarriage

How do you get rid of them?

Again mainstream medicine will tend to tell you that there is no need to treat them if the symptoms are not causing you problems (such as excessive bleeding). If they do suggest treatment then most often than not it will be surgery of one form or another, in the most extreme cases they will suggest a complete hysterectomy! According to Dr Mercola “Hysterectomy now out numbers almost all types of surgery performed in the US”. The proposed Uterine Fibroid Research and Education act of 2005 mentioned that $5 billion dollars is spent annually on hysterectomy surgeries each year!! 22% of Black women are affected and 7% of Caucasian women.

My suggestion is to find a very good Natural Practitioner and let him/her help you with the process of elimination of these fibroids naturally and setting you on a holistic path to ensure that they do not recur by paying special attention to your diet.

Some Natural Alternatives:

FibroidClear

FibroidClear is a natural remedy which was formulated by a Master Herbalist and has had a lot of good results (based on testimonials that are posted online). It also comes ‘Doctor Approved’ as a couple of medical doctors have endorsed and approved the product. It can be easily purchased online and a one month supply is only $67!

Serrapeptase

There is a natural enzyme supplement which has been proven to fight all inflammatory conditions by digesting excessive amount of proteins known as fibrin. It is known to dissolve cysts of all forms, blood clots and arterial plaques. According to Dr Rona from Healthwise Digest, over 50 clinical trials from Europe and Asia attest to the ability of serrapeptase to successfully treat conditions such as fibrocystic breast disease,  torn ligaments, Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), Carpel Tunnel syndrome ENT infections and this is just to name a few. Serrapeptase was popularised by Dr Hans Nieper from Germany who used this powerful enzyme to treat virtually all degenerative diseases including cancer, autoimmune diseases, crippling arthritis, heart disease and more.

Serrapeptase has also been known to gradually break down uterine fibroids so if you are suffering from this condition then I would suggest that you give it a try before considering surgery! It may take a while longer than surgery but at least you will still be left with all your body parts!

Serrapeptase is best taken on an empty stomach (1 hour before or 2 hours after meals). If combined or taken with food it helps to digest the food but has less effect on inflammation! When purchasing Serrapeptase, make sure it is enteric coated so that it will not be broken down and made inactive by stomach acids. In that way, the enzyme will reach the small intestines from where it can be absorbed into the bloodstream and reduce inflammation anywhere in the body.

Be blessed and stay healthy!

sharbs

Sources:

http://www.babycenter.ca/preconception/suspectingaproblem/fibroids/

Dr Rona’s Healthwise Digest www.tristarnaturals.com