Uterine Fibroids

[MingoNW]

I'm wondering if anybody here is struggling with uterine fibroids and/or has experience with paleo and fibroids. I usually see PCOS discussed but not much on fibroids. I have a very large one and would love to avoid surgery. My doctor recommended a diet similar to paleo (although she did not suggest it would get rid of it...) so this is one of the reasons I am trying it. (Also after reading It Starts with Food, clearly I am leptin resistant... very much the late night snacker. ) I did 30 days of about 80/20 paleo just recently, (had some chocolate and had almond milk that was sweetened, plus samples/bites occasionally of food with gluten and dairy) and now I'm on Day 1 of Whole 30. No cheats this time... I'm wondering if I have to modify further for fibroids? No eggs? (I hope not...) Please advise...

[harmony]

I am not sure paleo diet will shrink the fibroids. I had a grapefruit sized fibroid removed earlier this year. I have been paleo for 3 years and didn't know I had the fibroid until earlier this year so I can't say if my diet had much effect on it. In my case, it seems that my fibroid started getting worse about a year ago.

Some say that fibroids are due to estrogen dominance but when I was researching the topic I also found that fibroids can be cause by iodine deficiency. Iodine is one of the essential nutrients that can be lacking in paleo diets if you are not careful. It is also important in estrogen metabolism which means low iodine levels can be the cause of estrogen dominance. The problem with this senario is that if you start treating estrogen dominace without checking for iodine levels, you can actually make iodine deficiency worse since the most common natural treatments for estrogen dominance (DIM, eating cruciferous vegetables) can actually block iodine absorption.

It would be wise to see a functional medicine specialist or naturopath that can help you determine if you are estrogen dominant as well as check your iodine levels. It is also a good idea to get your thyroid levels checked as well. Iodine supplementation is tricky and you can have nasty side effects so it is best to do so under the supervision of your doctor.

I am going to see a paleo friendly naturopath very soon to get checked out. I don't know if my fibroid was caused from iodine deficiency but it makes sense to me because I rarely eat seafood since my husband doesn't like it and we stopped using iodized salt years ago. I am also not sure if it is possible to shrink fibroids with diet or supplementation. In my case, my large fibroid was causing severe anemia due to blood loss so I had to have surgery. Luckily, I was able to have a hysteroscopy which is less invasive and safer.

I hope this helps and good luck to you!

[befabdaily]

I found out I had a small fibroid a few years ago (long pre-paleo). But it's never caused any major issues other than irregular periods. I just went off hormonal bc to see if paleo has regularized me at all. From what I've read about fibroids, there is a genetic component, inflammation may be a component (they're surrounded by varicose veins), and there may be this estrogen-dominance component. It seems like even if paleo doesn't completely clear them up, there's a chance it might mitigate them some. The fibroid diet people prescribe whole foods (though they're more on the lowfat meats/whole grains end) and avoiding chemical additives/hormones/etc. I would say, try the regular Whole30 first and see if it helps, don't expect miracles inside a month though.

[Megan Claydon]

I agree with these ladies. Do the Whole30 and seek out a functional medicine doc who supports a Paleo-style of eating to help you navigate a treatment plan.

[MingoNW]

Thanks for the advice. I had a naturopath put me on high iodine supplementation, and then a doctor took me off because supplementation can damage your thyroid. I really don't feel comfortable going on supplements again. My fibroid is grapefruit sized and the only issues are that it's damn big and I can feel it and see it, and sometimes I have some slight discomfort. Unfortunately I can't afford a doctor to help me through this at the moment, being rather broke and uninsured...(got an exam recently through Planned Parenthood, thank goodness for them...) So I will see how it goes with Whole30 and go from there......

[Karen]

I don't have experience with fibroids but have read a lot about iodine. Iodine alone in high doses can causes issues but when taken with the necessary co-factors can be extremely beneficial. If you're nervous about taking a supplement, consider adding some seaweed to your diet. Nature has a way of giving you the nutrients you need in the right combination. Native Japanese eat many times the amount of iodine we do (from whole foods) without issue. I know there is a RDA of iodine and that's why iodine is put in salt, but that's ONLY enough to prevent goiters, not fix a deficiency. Might be worth talking to your doc or ND about more when you have a chance.

[Colleen Roy]

I had a hysterectomy in May of 2010 due the ginormous, multiple fibroids I had that were making me bleed heavily for the better part of each month, and crazy anemic. I tried an alternative treatment for my fibroids about 7 years before the hysterectomy (uterine artery embolization-basically cutting off the blood supply to the fibroids), it worked to shrink them and lessen the symptoms, but they came back full force and I was just exhausted-hence the decision to have the hysterectomy-plus I was confident that I would not be having any more children at that point. I was at peace with that decision, so the time was right.

During the ten years that I dealt with the aliens in my uterus, I tried a few different eating plans to help, with little success or impact on the fibroids. Yes, I had less bloating when I cut back on grains, dairy, etc...but the fibroids never got noticeably smaller.

So, I guess my advice to you would be to try the whole30 and see how you feel. Especially in light of the fact that insurance and money are an issue right now-even more reason to try and treat this naturally. Good luck!

[Lyla]

I'm 31 and have recently been diagnosed with 6 fibroids. I had no idea I had them due to very few symptoms (bloating). I'm scared because I don't have children yet but DO want them. Surgery has already been mentioned by the last Dr. I saw. I have another apt. with another Dr. next month. I read that eating red meat could increase estrogen in the body which is what I want to avoid!. I've always been interested in paleo and am wondering if this way of eating could help my condition. Yikes!!!

[Colleen Roy]

Lyla-there is a ton of information out there on fibroids. There are quite a few newer treatments available that are less invasive than surgery today compared to when I started dealing with them. I would suggest that you educate yourself about all your options and meet with at least one other doctor who specializes in fibroid treatment.

As i mentioned in my previous post, dietary changes never seemed to impact the size of the fibroids-but that was my experience and doesn't mean it wouldn't help you. I also don't think I gave dietary changes enough of a serious try when I did them. I was not in the mind-set that diet could impact my health so much back then. My how times have changed!

So, if I were you today....I would totally go with a whole30. Not only will you feel better all around, you just might successfully treat your fibroids and be able to shrink them to the point that surgery isn't necessary! I think eating grass-fed red meat will help-along with good, clean poultry and fish. Good luck!

[Lyla]

Thank you, Colleen, for your fast response. I am seriously considering paleo and not just because of my fibroids. I am doing a lot of research on my new diagnosis as well and am learning a great deal about the growths. I am interested to see what the next Dr. apt. will bring. Thanks again.

[MingoNW]

From what I've been seeing and what doctors have told me, inflammation is definitely related to fibroids, and I've had doctors tell me to avoid dairy, so it does seem logical that paleo could help, although how much is uncertain. I'm certainly trying.....

[eeevans3]

I see there hasn't been any posts on this topic for a while but wondering if anyone has learned anything new on the matter? I am a firm believer that our nutrition & lifestyle impacts our health and after dealing with an emergency D&C on Monday to stop the incredible bleeding from my fibroids (after having 13 removed in late 2011, I have 5 more now) and the impending thought of a hysterectomy, I am on a mission to determine how to prevent future growth. In my case, I will likely have to have these 5 removed with another myomyectomy but would like to determine how to prevent future growth. In my case, i'm 34, single, presented in 2011 with heavy bleeding, had D&C then that didn't work followed by myomectoy. My doc has suggested a uterine embolization yet it doesn't makes sense since I've had regrowth in such a short period of time. I'm convinced I can fix this or at least mitigate the circumstances by looking at the micro nutrient & hormonal balance equations. There has to be a way to restor my quality of life and not have to have a hysterectomy, right?

Open to additional thoughts on what to research but so far starting to dig in to:

Vitamin D

Vitamin K

Iodine

Estrogen balance (and how to manage this naturally)

Lysine (for symptom control - a med they tried was a synthetic derivative of the amino acid, so wondering what other amino acids may impact this scenario)

Any additional ideas from the W30 crew on what may cause these??

[Jenny Ebert Forbess]

I had a myomectomy in 2007 to remove large uterine fibroids so that I would be able to carry a child. ALL of my sisters and mom have them as well and have either had a myomectomy (3 of us) or a hysterectomy (3 of us-one had a myomectomy and now a hysterectomy). I got pregnant within a year of the surgery and by the delivery date, there were about 15 or new ones. I got pregnant again in 2011 and by delivery in early 2012, there were even more and a few were huge!!!! So much so that the doctor had to remove some of them during the c-section (not ideal!) and advised me not to get pregnant again as it could cause major complications for the baby as well as the delivery.

Fast forward to now...I've been gradually getting more conscious of what I eat and give to my children because I don't want my daughter to have this same issue (hormone free meat, made from scratch, etc...) because I feel that it MUST have at least a little something to do with the food that we all consumed growing up such as fast food, high sugar junk food, and all the other terrible boxed convenience food. I plan to go back to the doctor soon for a fibroid check and I'm hoping the report is good. I am hopeful that this new way of eating will help me avoid a hysterectomy in the short and long run!

[Amber Kargol]

I am also a fibroid maker.  I had a cantalope and a lemon inside my uterus while pregnant with my first child.  I found a wonderful doctor who took them out 7 months after he was born.  Once she was in there she found that my largest one had grown THROUGH my uterine wall.  She basically reconstructed the back wall to my uterus.

 

I have gone on to have 2 more children and still have fibroids but they are tinier and do not cause problems.  I'm not exactly sure how Whole 30 comes into play, but eating healthy and whole foods should regulate your hormones and possibly reduce the growth rate of your fibroids.

[jdb79]

Hello!  I'm new to this forum, and planning on starting my whole 30 this weekend.  One of the things prompting me to start is my desire to conceive, which hopefully isn't going to be affected by the large alien already in my uterus.  My husband and I are mostly grain free (totally gluten free), and I haven't seen any improvements with this alteration to my diet.  I'm hoping that by getting rid of the dairy and occasional alcohol that I'll find some relief from my fibroids symptoms (have a grapefruit sized one).  Since this thread is a little older, does anyone have any suggestions for things they've tried that have ameliorated their symptoms?  Or at least some optimistic words for how the whole 30 helped them?  Thanks in advance! 

[Dargirl]

I had fibroids and was told to go on the pill or go through surgery.. ? I researched and looked into other options- ended up having a uterine embolization- the best thing ever, worked amazingly- got my life back- highly highly highly recommend

 

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0004631/

[tiva]

Fibroids are linked to prenatal exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals. So while what you eat now can certainly make you feel better, it's most likely what your mother was exposed to that caused your fibroids. So eat well, but if your fibroids are causing major problems for you, then there's no reason to delay your choice of treatment in hopes that your food choices might cause them to go away.

[CarmenMonique]

I have not tried using Iodine at all. Fibroids are DEFINATELY  related to estrogen dominance because when I started taking Calcium D-Glucarate, it began shrinking and my periods got better. I actually published a book about it with pictures called Mean Girls When Mother Nature is One.

[Kat M B]

I have not tried using Iodine at all. Fibroids are DEFINATELY  related to estrogen dominance because when I started taking Calcium D-Glucarate, it began shrinking and my periods got better. I actually published a book about it with pictures called Mean Girls When Mother Nature is One.

 

Hi Carmen,

I'm currently taking Calcium, Magnesium, and Zync along with my other vitamins. What's the difference between my calcium and yours?

 

Thanks

 

 

Also, does anyone know of recipes for the low histamine version of the diet? I've found nothing so far.

 

Thanks again!

[MingoNW]

Well, years later I've had my hysterectomy. Very glad I did after 7 years of doctors and various attempts at resolving it. Pretty sure doing the whole 30 for 90+ days actually made the fibroid a little bigger. It certainly made my periods heavier. The whole 30 helped me in some ways and not in others. I found that going as low carb as the whole 30 was not working for me. Generally I need a bit more fruit in my diet. Thinking of doing a modified Whole 30 for some post recovery weight loss. I think the amount of vegetables I ate during this time was super good for me. The main success it had for me was balancing my mood and stress levels. No miracles for me, though.

[ladyshanny]

Well, years later I've had my hysterectomy. Very glad I did after 7 years of doctors and various attempts at resolving it. Pretty sure doing the whole 30 for 90+ days actually made the fibroid a little bigger. It certainly made my periods heavier. The whole 30 helped me in some ways and not in others. I found that going as low carb as the whole 30 was not working for me. Generally I need a bit more fruit in my diet. Thinking of doing a modified Whole 30 for some post recovery weight loss. I think the amount of vegetables I ate during this time was super good for me. The main success it had for me was balancing my mood and stress levels. No miracles for me, though.

I'm glad you're happy with your decision, that's great. Just a word of caution though, the Whole30 is not a low carb plan. Sometimes folks end up making it that way be default but it can be as carby as you like. You are free to eat 3 cups of starchy veggie with every meal if you like, it's whatever works for you. Our recommendation is to start with one fist sized serving per day and work up from there as needed. You are probably better off eating the starchy veggies than the fruits if you are looking for carbs also. Fruit is sugar, yes, but starchy veggies are the real carb you're probably looking for.

If you decide to do one, let us know how it's going!

[MingoNW]

Oh no, that's what I tried, I ate PILES of veggies, but I felt better when I ate more fruit. Did this almost 4 months, until I broke my leg and had to depend on other people to feed me and had less control over my diet.

[Raptor5]

I have an 8.5 cm fibroid on the back of my uterus (subserosal).  Before starting the Whole30, there were some nights, where I would get up to pee and it would stop, or wouldn't come out. This was terrifying. I had to jump around and stretch in different ways in order to get my pee out.  I know that my fibroid was inflamed and getting in the way of my bladder (self-diagnosis of course).  A week before starting the Whole30, I stopped drinking beer, and this helped the pee.  One week into the Whole 30, and I am peeing like a race horse!

 

I think it could help.  The inflammatory things that I was eating before have been eliminated, including alcohol.

This is, of course, all self-diagnosed, but I wouldn't be surprised if it helps to shrink the fibroid.