Encyclopedia of Homeopathy

REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEMS• 199FIBROIDSFibroids are benign (noncancerous) tumors in the uterus. In the developedworld, they occur in about 20 percent of women over 30, mainly between35 and 45. A fibroid may grow steadily in the wall of the uterus, or project intothe uterine cavity, in which case it will be attached to the wall by a stalk. Fibroidsshrink after menopause.Symptoms• Possibly no symptoms at all if a fibroid isvery small.• Possible heavy or lengthy menstrual periodsthat may cause anemia if a fibroid is large.• Symptoms of cystitis if a large fibroidpresses on the bladder.• Backaches or constipation if a large fibroidpresses on the colon.• Possible difficulty in conceiving,miscarriage, pain during pregnancy, orproblems during labor if there is a largefibroid in the uterine cavity.• Severe pain if a fibroid stalk becomestwisted, cutting off its blood supply.CausesFibroids are growths in smooth muscleand connective tissue. It is believed that theygrow in response to estrogen stimulation or asan abnormal response to normal levels ofestrogen. They can be caused by taking oralcontraceptives, and tend to enlarge duringpregnancy. As a result of the decrease inestrogen levels during the menopause,fibroids shrink and eventually disappear.Conventional careSmall, symptom-free fibroids are oftendiscovered during routine gynecologicalexaminations or ultrasound scanning. Smallfibroids do not require treatment, but theyare usually monitored. The conventionaltreatment for fibroids that cause pain involvesthe removal of the fibroid (myomectomy),or—especially if there is heavy bleeding—theremoval of the uterus (hysterectomy).Homeopathic medicineHomeopathic treatment aims to correctimbalances in estrogen levels or the body’sextraordinary response to normal estrogenlevels. A constitutional approach will addressthe interaction between the ovaries and thepituitary gland. The choice of remedy willdepend upon an individual’s particularsymptoms (see page 18). Calc. carb. is used forthe treatment of growths on stalks that projectfrom the uterine wall. For problems that maybe associated with fibroids, Lachesis is indicatedwhen the circulation of blood in the uterusleads to bleeding into surrounding muscle.Phosphorous is used for the overdevelopmentof muscle, and Sepia is associated withinflammation of the uterus and prolapse(displacement of the uterus).Remedies may be prescribed specifically inan attempt to shrink a fibroid. These includeCalc. iod., when fibroids are small and thereis a profuse, yellow vaginal discharge; andFraxinus, when the uterus is swollen andaccompanied by an urge to bear down, andthere are painful cramps and a watery, brownvaginal discharge during menstruation. Silicais used when menstrual periods are heavy,possibly with intermittent bleeding, and thebody feels ice-cold; and Aurum mur. is oftenprescribed for a swollen, painful uterus withspasmodic vaginal contractions.LifestyleA diet that is high in fish and vegetarian sourcesof protein and raw vegetables, and low in meat,dairy products, refined carbohydrates, caffeine,and alcohol is advisable, especially if thefibroids are associated with heavy bleeding.Half-an-hour’s moderate exercise a day, withcare not to overexert, is recommended. Thereis some evidence that progesterones extractedfrom Mexican yams and applied to the skinas a cream may counteract the effects ofestrogen and therefore shrink the fibroids. Thisproduct is not always readily availableover the counter, however.CAUTION• If there is severe pain in the lowerabdomen, see a doctor immediately.• If a fibroid is causing abdominal swellingcomparable with that in the twelfth week ofpregnancy, and the person is not approachingmenopause, removal may be necessary.CASE HISTORYNatasha, 35, had emigrated from theformer USSR ten years previously with herhusband. She had two children. Before herconsultation, a plum-sized fibroid had beenrevealed by a checkup following a papsmear. Natasha complained of heavyperiods with a black discharge two daysbefore the onset of menstruation.PERSONAL DETAILSNatasha was an anxious person whoworried about her health and that of herchildren, death, the future, and beingdeserted by her husband. She wasdissatisfied, restless, fastidious, andalways rushing. She dreamed of being inquicksand or drowning. She would awakein panic at around 1 a.m.FOOD PREFERENCESA stomach problem diagnosed as a hiatushernia made Natasha vomit at night. Sheloved sweet, salty, fatty, and acidic foods,but at times completely lost her appetite.Milk, coffee, spicy foods, chocolate, andtoo much fat upset her digestion.GENERAL DETAILSNatasha felt the cold greatly and loved hotweather. She liked hot compresses on herstomach during menstruation. She wasworse for exertion and between midnightand 2 a.m., and hated tobacco smoke.PRESCRIPTION & FOLLOW-UPNatasha was given Arsen. alb., and withina few days felt more relaxed. Her periodwas a week early, with the discharge asbefore, but it was less heavy than usual.She was then put on a diet low in refinedcarbohydrates and free of caffeine. Thismade her feel weak but generally better.Her next period occurred at the right time,with no discharge, but it was still heavy.Within the next couple of months, normalmenstruation was restored with theprescription of Solidago. Two monthslater at a checkup, Natasha’s gynecologistreported that the fibroid had reduced tothe size of a small bean. After two years,Natasha developed benign breast lumps,which were treated effectively withSulphur. Following a subsequentgynecological check-up, the fibroid wasreported to have disappeared.