Yes the symbols are accurate it’s not a techy glitch. That’s the way we all feel about fibroids!! Annnnd errr uhhh at this point in life and career I don’t believe they should be ignored even when classified as benign and non-threatening. Most women can say “amen” to that. A lot can happen between appointments, labs, follow-ups etc. So I go every year for exams like pap smears and breast thermographys (mammograms for many). I am of the belief that if anything is found in imaging it should be followed up on. I too have had those appointments where something “identified’ has been brushed off by the examiner as non-threatening. Ok cool good to know HOWEVER….I’m following up on it. I feel strongly that way when it comes to fibroids and the woman’s body as a whole.
If there is no understanding, resource or education on what has been detected you could innocently be making the issue worse; by feeding it with a lifestyle choice, ignoring it or simply missing a small but critical detail etc…

So this blog and it’s podcast episode are here to educate you on the topic of “returning fibroids”. Cases have confirmed that at least 33% women will experience a return of fibroids (and a multiplication) following procedures like a myomectomy and/or UFE (uterine fibroid embolization). If you’re a black woman you are definitely a big part of that stat. A woman may not be aware that this can happen but it does. This is not to deter but to educate. Pain and frustration influences many decisions. She may also be in so much pain that all she can think of at the time is “get this out” and she’s willing to deal with the post-op drama later. I get it. I hear you I see you and I understand that level of frustration. Although I never opted for procedures with my fibroids I WILL tell you that there were days that the pain was so great that I was like, “man they can take it all out”. For whatever reason, be it God’s grace and my conviction that my holistic protocol MUST work for me, I didn’t get the procedures. And yes eventually after extreme committed time my fibroids abased themselves. But as a practitioner I believe that all women should be supported and helped regardless of the decision they make. The truth is, if the world of functional/naturopathic medicine/holistic health are effective then they should still be able to help a woman if she chooses surgery.

And SURE it is our (practitioners) desires that she doesn’t choose hysterectomy and the likes but it is also our responsibility; morally and ethically to be there for her. So let’s hop into this.

What Are Fibroids?

By definition they are non-cancerous tumors/growths that reside in/around the uterus typically during reproductive ages.

What are the 4 Types of Fibroids?

I believe this is important to know. For me it determines how I approach helping a client.

As documented by the National Women’s Health Network they can be described this way:

Intramural fibroids

Intramural fibroids appear in the muscular wall of the uterus and are the most common type of fibroid. Due to the location of intramural fibroids, they may grow larger and can stretch the womb.

Subserosal fibroids

This type of fibroid grows outside of your uterus on the serous membrane (or serosa), which is the outer lining that all organs and internal body cavities have. Subserosal fibroids may grow big enough that they can make your womb look bigger on one side.

Pedunculated fibroids

Pedunculated fibroids form when a subserosal fibroid develops a stem. This stem turns into a slender base that can support a tumor. If this happens, this is where a pedunculated fibroid grows.

Submucosal fibroids

Submucosal fibroids grow in the myometrium, or middle layer of muscle in the uterus. This type of fibroids is not as common as the other three.

What Feeds Fibroids? or Causes them to Grow/Exist?

There is often controversy around these questions so I will answer them based on my experience, education and research (disclaimer) and I will also include what has been documented based on extensive research.
Fibroids still remain a reproductive phenomenon that medical physicians are still searching for the answers to.

Fibroids can appear as a result of (or a combination of) genetics, estrogen dominance (namely estradiol), lifestyle that experiences prolonged critical exposure to things like environment, chemicals within foods, xenoestrogens that enter the body through product and progesterone receptors.

How Are Fibroids Detected?

Fibroids are typically identified by an ultrasound: abdominal and transvaginal. It may or may not be detected during a pap smear exam. You can always request an ultrasound if you are concerned about the possibility.

What are the Signs of Fibroids?

Fibroids vary in size; from the tip of a needle, a lemon, grapefruit to the size of a first trimester embryo.

They can cause extreme pain in the back, buttocks, heavy bleeding during menstruation, prolonged periods, frequent urinating, constipation and pelvic pain.

Because we were raised in a culture that normalized cramping you didn’t think anything strange of many of these symptoms. You simply grabbed your meds and dealt with it. NOW WE KNOW that we don’t have to tolerate pain. Pain is a messenger not a badge of honor. It’s time to deprogram our belief that we have to endure anything and that can be hard and take time. There are cases where even in the ER a person’s pain is not considered as emergency. My advice? Press the issue. Do not let them sit on your request. Get someone to assist you immediately. Know where to go; ER locations that do a great job attending to the patients. Put those locations in your cell phone so that you know exactly where to go when the need arises. (a quick detour there but its worth knowing).

Fibroids Returning

The same things that cause them to appear in the first place can be the same things that cause them to reappear. Some women will opt for a second/multiple myomectomies because they can be considering fertility or believe that having a repeat surgery will prevent prolapse.

As determined by the study under PMCID: PMC8659682, under estrogen and progesterone stimulation, mature myometrial cells secrete paracrine factors, such as WNT ligands, which activate the β-catenin-T-cell transcription factor pathway through the Frizzled receptor and inducing TGF-B production. This study was also conducted on mice. So estrogen and progesterone can induce expression. Talk with your Dr about your curiosity or concern whether or not your estradiol and progesterone are potentially causing issues.

Observation

I suppose the technical expression preferred medically would be that there are “new” fibroids growing, not returning. A hysterectomy is the only procedure that guarantees no returns/growths of fibroids.

Is Prevention of Regrowth/New Fibroids Possible?

My strong suggestions include to consider diet; eliminating excess sugars and starches. While I don’t believe that every woman has to eliminate meat to heal I would encourage you to consider meat choices (avoiding pork) and try to know the handling of your meat (was it colored? were hormones/harmful additives added? Etc…) I know that can be difficult but I do recommend it. A few potentially harmful additives would be nitrates, nitrites and sulfites. I do advise clients who have weathered the storms of cancer, chemo and radiation to reconsider their relationship with meat consumption because the aggression of the treatments can alter the body’s bioavailability and its ability to digest that protein properly. Some will reduce meat consumption and others will eliminate it altogether. I support both in this case.

Soy has been a major controversy for years. Multiple researches have been done and the conclusion is typically that there is no absolute evidence that shows soy as aggravating to fibroids; however because I am one to believe that black bodies respond a bit differently I avoid it as much as possible. A few studies have documented soy possibly increasing estrogen in humans and complicating thyroid disorders. If in doubt just refrain.

I would advise women to be aware of estrogen mimickers known as xenoestrogens. They can enter the body through body fragrances, cosmetics, topical creams, cookware, storage containers etc…. Xenoestrogens can also be found in the environment. They can disrupt the endocrine system as they attempt to mimic the estrogen hormone.

I am providing a general list below thanks to Dr Larue but take them in stride. Why do I say that? You are going to run yourself RAGGED trying to avoid every single thing. A few changes go a long way if you stick with them. I also say
easy does it” because “Avoidance Lists” tends to drive a lot of fear and paralysis when making decision. There is NO way you can live 100% chemical free. Debate it if you want but you will be exposed to things in your lifetime that you canNOT avoid. I know the gurus teach extremity but I have learned that it isn’t 100% necessary or sustainable. Create your starter list and commit to it. Go steady and stay consistent. Sisters, do what you CAN do. This was a major part of my own success.

LIST:

• Skincare:
  • 4-Methylbenzylidene camphor (4-MBC) (sunscreen lotions)
  • Parabens (methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben and butylparaben commonly used as a preservative)
  • Benzophenone (sunscreen lotions)
• Industrial products and Plastics:
  • Bisphenol A (monomer for polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resin; antioxidant in plasticizers)
  • Phthalates (plasticizers)
  • DEHP (plasticizer for PVC)
  • Polybrominated biphenyl ethers (PBDEs) (flame retardants used in plastics, foams, building materials, electronics, furnishings, motor vehicles).
  • Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
• Food:
  • Erythrosine / FD&C Red No. 3
  • Phenosulfothiazine (a red dye)
  • Butylated hydroxyanisole / BHA (food preservative)
• Building supplies:
  • Pentachlorophenol (general biocide and wood preservative)
  • Polychlorinated biphenyls / PCBs (in electrical oils, lubricants, adhesives, paints)
• Insecticides:
  • Atrazine (weed killer)
  • DDT (insecticide, banned)
  • Dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (one of the breakdown products of DDT)
  • Dieldrin (insecticide)
  • Endosulfan (insecticide)
  • Heptachlor (insecticide)
  • Lindane / hexachlorocyclohexane (insecticide, used to treat lice and scabies)
  • Methoxychlor (insecticide)
  • Fenthion
  • Nonylphenol and derivatives (industrial surfactants; emulsifiers for emulsion polymerization; laboratory detergents; pesticides)
  • Other:
    • Propyl gallate

• Chlorine and chlorine by-products
• Ethinylestradiol (combined oral contraceptive pill)
• Metalloestrogens (a class of inorganic xenoestrogens)
• Alkylphenol (surfactant used in cleaning detergents

Herbs

Now here is one of my favorite topics. As a certified herbalist I strongly recommend the consideration of DIM (Diindolylmethane) as it reduces estrogen metabolites, Chasteberry (aka vitex) to help balance the hormones, the Vitamin D3,

Something else I recommend is liver and uterus toning and cleansing. This is not a process I share freely without the accountability that it requires. I offer it in my MedHer Melanin course and its done with labwork and the relationship of your physician and I.

I hope that this has been helpful and enlightening for you. Take your time, don’t be hard on yourself, grant some grace and journey a little bit at a time. You’ll see some sustainable progress if you take that approach.

Be Well. Be Whole.