Gynaecology

Understanding Uterine Fibroids and The Holistic Womb Care Programme

Uterine fibroids, also known as uterine leiomyomas, are solid, non-cancerous growths.  These are smooth, muscle fibres and connective tissues that appear within the uterine wall.  Some fibroids may also be located in the cervix; the broad ligament, which connects the uterus to the pelvic wall; or can be attached to the interior or exterior of the uterus.  Some women have a single fibroid while others have multiple fibroids of different sizes, types and in different locations.  

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25% of all women over the age of 30 have uterine fibroids. These are considered the most common benign pelvic tumour or abdominal tumour.  Cancer rarely develops in uterine fibroids; only about 1% of uterine fibroid are malignant.

Most ladies live with their uterine fibroids.  Occasionally, uterine fibroids cause complications.  If they become very large, they may press onto organs like urinary bladder, ureter, small and or, large intestines.  Thus, this may result in frequent urination or constipation, or both.  

Sometimes, uterine fibroids do not exhibit any signs or symptoms.  They are only discovered during health checks.  For some ladies, extremely large fibroids have been known to cause a noticeably, enlarged abdomen that may make women look pregnant.  (The size of fibroids can range from the size of peanuts, small grapes to volleyball.)

If the uterine fibroids expand into the uterus, heavy and prolonged menstrual periods may result.  If pregnancy occurs, these growths tend to enlarge and may cause complications as the unborn baby grows.  

The exact cause of uterine fibroids is not completely known although studies show that the hormones – oestrogen and progesterone, play a significant role in these growths.  The growth of uterine fibroids has a co-relation to oestrogen.  This is because these growths rarely appear before puberty and tend to recede by menopause.

Uterine fibroids may occur along with other disorders, like pelvic inflammatory disease (an infection of the fallopian tubes) or endometriosis (the displacement of tissue from the lining of the uterus to outside the uterus). 

The symptoms of uterine fibroids include:

• dysmenorrhea (pain during menstruation); 

• heavy, prolonged menstrual bleeding; 

• severe abdominal pain; 

• pressure or fullness at pelvic area;

• constipation 

• incontinence or frequent urination; 

• infertility; and

• back or leg pain.

Treatments of uterine fibroids are often dependent on a woman’s symptoms and desire to maintain fertility.  Some may require and opt for surgery, while others may not.  

It is always recommended to incorporate a holistic nutrition and wellness programme that emphasis on mind, body and soul/spirit approach, to complement the conventional treatments that you have decided.

Choose natural and holistic womb care programmes or treatments that do not conflict with your medical treatments so that you can benefit from both schools of thoughts and speed up recovery.

Many holistic practitioners or health coaches view fibroids as nature’s way of segregating and guarding the body from toxins that are caused by unhealthy food and lifestyle, and exposure to environmental pollutants.  

A fibroid condition is often seen as possibilities of underlying imbalances and dysfunction in the entire body system.  A detailed medical check is recommended so that the holistic practitioners or health coaches can have a fuller picture of the patients’ conditions and work better together to assist them to regain their health.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theories, uterine fibroids are understood as accumulation of old blood that are not expelled out of the body during menstruation, and stagnation of internal dampness and poor circulation.

These are related to blockages of qi or energy, in the meridian channels that lead to- and- fro, from the female organs and glands, and to other vital organs.  When the flow of qi is unblocked or flowing free without blockages, optimum health can be achieved.

Besides unhealthy diet and lifestyle choices, stress of unresolved issues and emotions from past emotional, mental and or, physical abuse may cause hormonal imbalance and improper flow of qi.  

Overtime, the physical efforts of trying to suppress these painful memories, emotions and behaviour may produce contractions of muscles that diminishes proper circulation and energy flow.  This in turn may lead to lower vitality and health problems, like gynaecological disorders.

Rapha Health, Nutrition & Wellness - Holistic Womb Care Programme 

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This is a holistic programme that aims at helping ladies to improve your quality of life and promote long-term health by beginning with efforts to strengthen your health with a holistic mind, body and soul/spirit approach.  It is recommended to choose to have a closure to past hurts, guilt and shame, and release forgiveness to others and self, and improve your health.  

When you intentionally make healthy and positive changes a priority in your lives, you give yourself a chance to be healed and restored with love, peace and joy.  Give this a try and discover a healthier you!  

Contact me, let me help you in your journey to better health.