Fibroids – Basics

Fibroids are benign masses of muscle cells and tissue that grow in and on the uterus. These growths can be as small as one millimetre or as large as 8 inches across. They can also occur as a single mass or grow in clusters. Many women with fibroids do not experience any symptoms, however; some women can have heavy or painful menstrual periods, lower back pain, and excessive urination, pain during sex, pelvic pressure or reproductive issues such as miscarriages or infertility. Although fibroids occur in at least 25 percent of U.S. women of childbearing age, there is no known cause.

Research

The commonly used formula is Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan, which is considered as therapeutic and or preventive agent for uterine fibroids  it may induce apoptosis of leiomyomas(1).

Acupuncture may be a treatment option as part of a CAM treatment approach (Dalton-Brewer 2016 – Narrative review of CAM)(2).

References

  1. Lee SM, Shin SJ, Ha E, Cho CH, Jung J. Gyejibongnyeong-hwan (Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan) ameliorates human uterine myomas via apoptosis. Frontiers in pharmacology. 2019;10:1105.
  2. Dalton-Brewer N. The Role of Complementary and Alternative Medicine for the Management of Fibroids and  Associated Symptomatology. Curr Obstet Gynecol Rep. 2016;5:110-8.