Turmeric and Other Natural Remedies to Shrink Fibroids

A fibroid can’t be tamed.

At first, they’re barely noticeable — giving little to no indication that they’re inhabiting your uterus. As a result, when you and your doctor learn about it by chance, you’re often told to wait… Wait, what? It means you have the option to just observe your symptoms until it becomes a nuisance in your everyday life?

Leaving your fibroids alone or ignoring them until they become worse is like gambling with your health. We’ve been there, too. And if it becomes severe, it could mean having painful cramps, heavy bleeding, restlessness, and anxiety or possibly ruined relationships due to reproductive and fertility problems.

You don’t have to go through that.

In this article, we’ll help you understand what fibroids really are and how the healing benefits of turmeric can help melt them away. But it doesn’t end there — turmeric isn’t an absolute cure-all either. So we’ll help you with lasting solutions by discussing holistic healing.

What are Fibroids?

Uterine Fibroids are non-cancerous tumors that grow anywhere within the muscle wall of the uterus or womb. You can have one or multiple fibroids at the same time and they vary in size.

Who is at risk for uterine fibroids?

You are more at risk of developing uterine fibroids if you :

• Are 30 years or older
• from an African-American descent
• have a family history of fibroids
• had an early onset of menstruation or late menopause.
• used contraceptives at an early age
• Are overweight
• never had a child

Signs and Symptoms of Fibroids

As fibroids grow, you will gradually notice irregularities in your menstrual cycle and body such as:

• very heavy bleeding or bleeding in between your period
• pain or pressure on your pelvic and lower back
• a feeling of fullness or bloating
• difficulty or frequent urination
• rectal pain which could cause difficulty with bowel movements

• other symptoms – enlarged uterus and abdomen

If fibroids become severe, these symptoms will intensify and may also be the culprit for infertility or miscarriages.

What causes uterine fibroids?

The exact cause of fibroids is still not 100% clear but one thing is certain, their growth is dependent on your level of estrogen and progesterone hormones.

We have another blog All About Uterine Fibroids (leiomyomas): Prolapsed Fibroids that discusses its types, diagnosis, the link to pregnancy and menopause, and natural ways to heal from it without surgery. And if you are not sure whether you have fibroids or cysts, it’s important to get properly diagnosed by a doctor, first.

Will fibroids go away on their own?

Since fibroids are dependent on estrogen and progesterone hormones, they can go away on their own during menopause (but not always). During reproductive years, however, fibroids don’t easily shrink. At times, they don’t cause debilitating symptoms and can even coexist with a fetus when you’re pregnant, so doctors often recommend “watchful waiting” or expectant management.

But remember: fibroids will likely continue to grow so long as your hormones are keeping it alive. Therefore, a better way to counter fibroids isn’t waiting, but taking appropriate measures little by little consistently from the day of your diagnosis.

Does that mean I need to take pills or get surgery? 

Not at all! There are natural remedies to melt away your fibroids and one of them is through the help of turmeric.

Can turmeric shrink fibroids?

Turmeric has an active ingredient called curcumin. It’s known for being anti-inflammatory and antioxidant among other health benefits. Research has shown that curcumin could potentially shrink fibroids by binding and activating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-gamma). It also appears to decrease the effects of estrogen in some hormone-sensitive cancer cells, according to several studies.

How long does it take turmeric to shrink fibroids?

It can take 4-8 weeks of consistent turmeric intake (depending on your condition and body mass) to see significant changes in your body. Meaning, instead of treating it as an overnight solution, you can get the best out of turmeric when it is incorporated into your diet regularly.

What side effects should I expect from using turmeric for fibroids?

Generally, taking turmeric is safe. But like any herbal remedy, it has to be taken in moderation. Too much of it may cause mild side effects such as gastrointestinal issues including diarrhea, nausea, yellow stools, and stomachache.

Therefore, it’s good to note that the Allowable Daily Intake (ADI) value of curcumin (regardless if it is consumed in tea, capsule, powder, or raw) is 0–3 mg/kg body weight.

Just a quick tip: add a little pepper to your turmeric tea as it has a bioactive compound called piperine that’ll boost your body’s absorption of curcumin by up to 2000%! (Don’t worry, it won’t change the taste of your tea that much.)

Due to its ability to increase bile secretion, turmeric should not be taken by people with an obstruction in their bile duct, cholangitis, liver disease, gallstones and any other biliary disease.

What are the other natural remedies for fibroids besides Turmeric?

Apart from turmeric, there are several more ways to help prevent fibroids from getting worse. Just remember to consult your doctor before incorporating these into your routine especially if you’re already taking medication.

For now, here are other methods that may help:

1. Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle

• Diet – limit alcohol, red meat, and processed food; and eat more fruits and vegetables, especially those that are rich in Vitamin D and Vitamin A.

• Weight –  a normal BMI is essential since obesity increases the development of fibroids.

• Blood pressure – keep your blood pressure in balance because hypertension increases the risk of fibroid growth 8–10%  for every diastolic blood pressure by 10 mmHG.

• Stress – chronic stress triggers reward eating which may increase your risk of uterine fibroids.

2. Try Some Therapies and Relaxation Techniques

• Block Therapy – is a bodywork practice that is meditation, exercise, and breathwork all in one, which awakens cells that were previously blocked from their natural flow.

• Hypopressives – is a series of breathing and postural exercises that improve pelvic floor health as well as its core functionality.

• Acupuncture – uses needles along strategic points (also known as meridians) on your body to treat physical, mental, and emotional conditions.

• Activate your Fascia – a highly effective method to reduce and alleviate pain and melt away other symptoms of fibroids.

Learn how to practice block therapy, hypopressives, and activate your fascia in our Pelvic Floor Dysfunction Program. You can participate from the comfort of your home!

3. Herbs and Other Alternatives

• Traditional Chinese Medicine – an ancient system of health and wellness principles and practices that lower the risk of developing uterine fibroids.

• Other Herbal Remedies – green tea, blueberries, mulberries, raspberries, and grapes that contain resveratrol. Also, chasteberry or vitex may help your condition.

• Yoni (Vaginal Steaming) – is an ancient alternative medicine that involves sitting or squatting over a steaming pot of water infused with medicinal herbs.

• Other Alternatives – warm compresses, warm baths, yoga, and massage therapy may also help when practiced consistently

Feel free to chat with us or email us at suuport@moonrise.health

Prevention is still better than cure

Don’t wait for fibroids to get in the way of living your best life. Whatever you may be going through, no matter what your age or condition, MoonRise is here for you and we have a program we believe could help.

It’s called the Pelvic Floor Dysfunction program and it’s co-created by myself and several health practitioners who have helped hundreds of women overcome different types of women’s health issues.

If you’re curious to learn more about this program, get all the details here.