Fibroids Herbs Articles & Resources

My Clinical Experience Treating Women with Fibroids

I have had the opportunity to treat dozens of women with fibroids over my 21 years of homeopathic practice. Although I do recommend a standard, naturopathic "non-estrogenic" diet (whole grains, fruits, veggies, nuts, seeds, fish and avoiding beef, poultry, pork, and dairy) as well as liver herbs, the mainstay of my treatment is homeopathy. There have been only half a dozen cases, during my two decades of practice, where the patient has undergone surgery (myomectomy or hysterectomy). Of course, I have seen many other women who underwent hysterectomies for fibroids before they came to see me.

In all of my other cases, the fibroid has either not grown or has grown minimally enough that surgery was not required. Among the handful of women who did go on to have surgery, in each case the fibroid(s) was/were so large by the time they consulted me that they were already experiencing significant uterine bleeding, urinary symptoms resulting from pressure on the bladder, and painful sex.

I remember one patient, just a year or so into practice, who had a lemon-sized fibroid protruding right through the cervix. It shocked me when I performed a pelvic exam because, on inserting the speculum, a large, solid, fleshy mass pushed through the cervix. Hers was one of the few cases that did require surgery, which I was able to attend. She had endured a fibroid of that size for months, as had all the other women who ultimately needed or chose surgery. In such cases, it seems to be simply too late to avoid surgical intervention.

Homeopathy: What to Expect with Treatment for Fibroids

Although I heard a brilliant case of a woman with uterine fibroids that shrunk dramatically, presented by a Canadian colleague, that has, frankly, not been my experience. I have, however, witnessed, again and again, that fibroids remain the same size for a number of years, or they may grow slightly, though not enough to warrant surgery. In most cases I have found fibroid-induced symptoms such as excessive menstrual bleeding, incontinence, and urinary frequency and urgency, to resolve within a month or two of receiving the correct homeopathic medicine. The exception is when the fibroid was excessively large upon beginning homeopathic treatment. It is not uncommon, when the woman presents with large fibroids from the onset, for a perceptible uterine enlargement to persist as well as a local discomfort due to the mass. Other patients, despite the presence of the fibroid, remain symptom-free and are reminded of the fibroid(s) only at the time of their annual gynecologic examination.

Those few patients in my practice who have chosen hysterectomies after, rather than before, homeopathic care, have given mixed reviews. For some, particularly those who suffered considerable unwelcome symptoms due to the fibroid(s), being uterus-free is a welcome relief. In other cases, a surgically-induced menopause brings more problems than were bargained for and the women regret the decision. This is true, particularly, if the ovaries are removed in addition to the uterus. Many women are surprised both by the impact of major abdominal surgery and also by the abrupt onset of hot flashes, mood changes, sleep disruption, loss of libido, and vaginal dryness associated with menopause. These symptoms can be challenging enough when the onset is gradual, much less dealing with such a dramatic "change of life" over a matter of weeks, at the same time as facing post-surgical recovery.

As a side note, if surgery is chosen, homeopathy and nutritional supplements can be used quite successfully to prevent the formation of adhesions (scar tissue), a frequent sequela of myomectomies and hysterectomies. I include my pre- and post-surgical protocol, which I have found to be consistently effective, in Whole Woman Homeopathy.

Janis

Janis, a vivacious, 40 year-old, attired comfortably, yet attractively, in blue jeans, first consulted me 7-1/2 years ago. Diagnosed a year earlier with a fibroid tumor, she had been under the care of another naturopathic doctor for six months. The previous regimen of acupuncture and Chinese herbs had resulted in Janis feeling weak rather than rejuvenated, which was undoubtedly not the intention. Her gynecologist insisted that Janis needed an immediate hysterectomy. Intimidated and confused, Janet at first agreed to the surgery, then walked out of the hospital against medical advice 15 minutes before the procedure. A month before I first met Janis, the fibroid was measured, on physical examination, to be the size of a ten-week-old fetus.

"The fibroid took me by surprise," explained Janis. "My periods were every 28 days to the day. I know exactly how they'll behave. I do not want surgery and I am not big on medications. I urinate a lot, but I attribute it to drinking a large quantity of herb tea. My menstrual flow is quite heavy the first day. Four days before my last period, I woke up in gut-wrenching, cramping pain. It hurt so much that I couldn't stand up straight. I went to the hospital and was told my fibroid was degenerating. Then, the next day I was fine."

Janis told me more about her nature and temperament. "My husband calls me 'Mrs. Stress Case.' You would not call me a calm person. Everything upsets me. I had an ulcer and a spastic colon when I was younger. The littlest thing sends me into a tizzy when it comes to work-related issues. I can break into tears in an instant. If I get a phone call that someone needs something at work, I become very hyper. I can feel my pulse racing and blood pressure going up. People don't like to be around me when I'm like that.

"I guess you would call me high-strung. I do everything fast. My patience is zero. If someone says, 'Let's go,' I have my coat on already. That's how I've always operated. In the evening, a lot of people sit down with a newspaper in front of the . to calm down. I consciously have to work on relaxing. You won't find me reading until I'm too exhausted to do anything else. Even then, I feel guilty about what I'm not accomplishing.

"My sister died of breast cancer at 35. I don't know why I'm crying telling you about it, but it was awful. Our family is really close. I began to have anxiety attacks after she died. The feeling of being closed in, clammy palms, a racing heart. I thought I was dying. It still happens every now and then."

As for her work, Janis had extensive managerial experience in the biomedical and computer industries. "I get so stressed out at all of those jobs. I'm one of those people who can get a lot of work done in a short amount of time, so my plate is always overfull. I know that I can do more and better than anyone else on my staff. Delegating is not my strong suit. My style is to work 12-hour days at a fast pace. I hit the ground running and go all day.

"My temper runs hot. If I come home and there's a mess in the kitchen, I lose it. I wish I had more patience. But people like to be around me because I'm happy and upbeat. Most of my friends are granola-types: hiking and all of that. I'm the wild one. They used to invite me to parties because I laugh and goof around and have fun. Of course, I used to drink too much back then, too. I never drink more than two or three glasses anymore because it makes me depressed the next day.

"I'm a very emotional person. I cry a lot. When I'm really happy, sad, disappointed, or when I get my feelings hurt. Tender-hearted, like when my stepdaughter picks on our dog. I never had kids of my own. I wanted a career instead. Having children was never something I needed to do."

Janis' only fear was being alone without a partner. She dreamed often about everyday problems. She tended towards chilliness and slept poorly when stressed. Food cravings included pizza and chocolate. Janis enjoyed spicy food, but found that it triggered stomach distress. It was in the early '80s that Janis suffered from ulcers while in an extremely high-stress job. It was at this time that she was also diagnosed with a spastic colon. Stress still went right to Janis' stomach. When I asked if she had ever had a problem with constipation, Janis answered affirmatively and explained that for a period of time she took daily Metamucil.

At this point Janis was avoiding red meat and eating poultry on a daily basis. She was drinking Essiac tea and using progesterone cream topically. The size of her fibroid had not changed in a year.

A Text-Book Case for Homeopathy

I am not presenting this case because of the difficulty of prescribing. It is so clear-cut that even a beginning homeopath would likely think of only one medicine: Nux vomica (Quaker's button or Poison nut). It is a well-known medicine for competitive, workaholic, stress-prone individuals who resort to alcohol to relieve their pent-up tension. These individuals typically like spicy food but have a tendency to develop ulcers. They are famous for their impatience and their lives, and often their dreams, revolve around work. I understand now, though I did not then, that Nux vomica is a member of the Loganaceae family. Along with Ignatia, Gelsemium, Spigelia, and other plants, those needing this group of medicines are highly sensitive, particularly to disappointment, grief, and shock. The tendency to hold tension in their body is best exemplified by Strychninum, in which the muscles are rigid and inflexible to the point of spastic tetany.

Homeopathy treats patients, not diagnoses. The prescription of Nux vomica 200C was based on what we call the "totality" of symptoms, including those mentioned previously. It is, however, also indicated for tumors of the uterus, uterine "fibroma," ulcers, spastic colon, heavy menstrual flow, and is a well-known medicine for uterine pain. Due to the sensitivity of those needing this family of medicines, it is not surprising that her uterine cramping was so severe that it took her to the emergency room.

A Positive Outcome

Nine weeks after taking the first dose of Nux vomica 200C, Janis returned to report that she felt energetic and "great." Diligently avoiding coffee upon my recommendation, Janis was still "buzzing" after drinking caffeinated tea. "My husband says I'm not a pretty sight on caffeine." This hypersensitivity to caffeine, and other stimulants, is also typical of those needing Nux vomica. "I'm more patient overall. I still do everything fast, but I've mellowed out a lot over the past two months. I don't bounce off the walls nearly as much as I did." The additional energy allowed Janis to stay up an extra hour or two instead of "turning into a pumpkin at nine PM." There were no menstrual or gynecologic complaints, including the original urinary frequency.

After five months, Janis still reported no fibroid-related symptoms. I recommended at that time that she switch from caffeinated to decaf tea, and added a nutritional supplement containing lipotrophic factor, which helps the liver break down estrogen and fat. I also reiterated that it was best to avoid beef and pork. At one point I changed her multivitamin/mineral to a peri-menopausal formula and recommended flaxseed.

Nearly Eight Years Later and No Hysterectomy

Janis has enjoyed good health over the years since I began treating her despite tremendous financial and marital stress and several moves across the country and back. Given the circumstances, I am impressed by her emotional stability and strength. I have given her 23 doses of Nux vomica, which averages out to three doses a year, in potencies ascending from 200C to 10M. Indications for a repetition of the medicine are an exacerbation of stress, impatience, and irritability.

Three and a half years after beginning homeopathic care, a gynecologist again recommended a hysterectomy, although the uterus had not increased in size. Janis requested that the physician write a letter to her employer requesting that the level of work stress be decreased. The gynecologist refused, explaining that there was no corroboration between stress and fibroids. I wrote the letter myself. A year later, in the spring of 2001, an ultrasound indicated some growth of the fibroid, however Janis was still asymptomatic. She had moved to another state and worked part-time arranging flowers, which she adored. The next pelvic ultrasound, a year and a half later, indicated no further growth of the mass.

A Realistic Picture of Homeopathic Treatment

In my experience, Janis' course of treatment is fairly typical. The fibroids often stop growing entirely, and sometimes increase slightly in size. Hers was large by the time she first consulted me for homeopathic treatment, so I am very pleased that no surgery has been needed. At 47, she is still having periods. A late menopause means that estrogen is still being produced, which tends to stimulate fibroid growth. All of her other symptoms have clearly improved with periodic doses of Nux vomica. Acute illnesses have been few and far between, despite some tremendous personal stressors from time to time. She has coped well with moves, tremendous financial stress, and family problems which would be tough for anyone. Her energy remains consistently high, and her spirits positive except when she needs an occasional dose of the Nux vomica. Once Janis becomes menopausal, it is likely, in my experience, that the fibroid will shrink. In the meantime, it is not causing her any problems whatsoever.

Homeopathy: A Treatment Definitely Worth Considering for Fibroids

Unless your fibroids are so large that surgery is imminent, I would urge women to consider homeopathy as a possible alternative to a hysterectomy. How many of those half-a-million-plus hysterectomies could be avoided with early homeopathic intervention? Certainly there is a time and a place for a hysterectomy, particularly in the case of endometrial or cervical cancer. But, with fibroids, I have found that surgery is, more often than not, avoidable.

by Judyth Reichenberg-Ullman, ND, DHANP and Robert Ullman, ND, DHANP

131-3rd Ave. North * Edmonds, Washington 98020 USA

Phone 425-774-5599 * Fax 425-670-0319

Judyth Reichenberg-Ullman and Robert Ullman are licensed naturopathic physicians board certified in homeopathy. Their books include Ritalin-Free Kids, Rage-Free Kids Prozac Free, Homeopathic Self-Care: The Quick and Easy Guide for the Whole Family, Whole Woman Homeopathy The Patient's Guide to Homeopathic Medicine, and Mystics, Masters, Saints and Sages-Stories of Enlightenment. They teach and lecture internationally and practice at The Northwest Center for Homeopathic Medicine in Edmonds, Washington and Langley, Washington. Their upcoming book is A Drug-Free Approach to Autism and Asperger's: Homeopathic Medicine for Exceptional Kids (Fall, 2004). They treat patients by phone as well as in person, and can be reached by telephone at 425-774-5599 or you can visit their website at .com.