Can Acupuncture Shrink Uterine fibroids?

by Oneka
(Bermuda)

Dear Amelia,
I have uterine fibroids and I had a myomectomy when I was 27. I am now 31 and I have a 7 month old daughter. I have 5 fibroids which grew to be quite large during my pregnancy. They have not reduced in size since having my baby, in fact, they are slightly larger than they were at the time of her birth.

I am now trying to have my second child and I'm dealing with these large fibroids that have not reduced in size at all. Thankfully they are not painful. My goal in to get pregnant and shrink the fibroids without undergoing another surgery. Please let me know what you think my coarse of action should be. My period is regular and always has been.

My cycle is about 26 days and my luteal phase is 12 days long. We've only been trying for the past two months but what concerns me is that I will be starting a pregnancy with these fibroids as big as the were at the end of my last pregnancy.

I had no trouble conceiving my daughter. It took 3 months. The pregnancy itself was challenging at times. I was on bed rest twice and had severe pain due to the size and location of the fibroids, as well as the size of the baby.

Once I made it to 22 weeks things got better, because I was big enough to accommodate both the baby and the fibroids. I had a C-section and recovered from it without any problems. I only nursed for 2 months, as my milk production was never really great. I always supplemented with formula. My husbands sperm has not been tested.

Sincerely,
Oneka

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Fibroids and a Healthy Pregnancy
by: Amelia Hirota

Hello Oneka,
Sharing the details of your uterine fibroids and your current situation makes it much easier for me to advise you. Thank you!

I doubt that you want to hear this, but I recommend against trying to conceive right now. I think that you were very lucky that your last pregnancy went to term and your baby was fine.

The fact that you were on bed rest and in pain are worrisome. I'm also concerned that you had a c-section and then weren't able to nurse beyond 2 months. I'm worried that if you conceived right now that this pregnancy would really put you at high risk.

You've just given birth and your body has already been through a lot. I highly recommend taking at least a year off and really nourishing your body. Even without the fibroid issue (or another gyno issue), I recommend that my patients take at least 2 years off after giving birth to first, nourish their bodies back to health and second, prepare their bodies for making another baby.

I'm very happy to hear that you have a regular menstrual cycle and a good 12 day luteal phase. It doesn't appear that fertility is your issue, as it only took you 3 months to get pregnant. Instead, I think that your challenge will be to have the patience to prepare your body for the next pregnancy, so that it's sound, your body is strong and your 2nd baby is healthy.

I do find that acupuncture and Chinese herbs are very helpful in treating fibroids. However, it can take time. I recommend working with an acupuncturist that specializes in gynecological issues and getting weekly treatments with personalized herbal formulas.

After 3 months, I'd get an ultrasound to see if the fibroids have reduced in size. If they have reduced in size to your satisfaction, I'd continue with the acupuncture. If there was little change, I'd recommend surgery to remove them and then continue with acupuncture and Chinese herbs to balance out the body and prevent the formation of fibroids again.

Some patients respond really well to acupuncture and herbs and some cases of fibroids can be stubborn and may necessitate another surgery. I hope that this is helpful.

Sending Healing Thoughts Your Way,

Amelia Hirota, Licensed and Board Certified Acupuncturist and Herbalist

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Acupuncture treatments to Shrink Uterine fibroids
by: Anonymous

My herbalist said she isn’t sure if acupuncture would shrink a fibroid in my case, but it can definitely help decrease the heavy bleeding.

I am treating my fibroid and heavy bleeding with acupuncture. I just finished the first treatment, where 10 acupuncture sessions equals a treatment. My herbalist suggested that I need 3 treatments which is 30 sessions.

My first treatment started on Feb 26 and ended on Mar 24. I noticed the bleeding was very much less. Before the treatment, I had to get up 3 to 4 times to change during the heaviest bleeding nights. I only change once at night on my last monthly bleeding.

I will let you know if acupuncture works for my fibroid or not. I should know the result after I receive my ultrasound report in Jun or Jul.

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Did You Shrink Your Fibroid with Acupuncture?
by: Amelia Hirota

Yes, I'd be very interested if you had success with shrinking your fibroid with acupuncture after your 30 sessions of acupuncture. Please do let us know. I wish you much luck!!!

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Can Acupuncture Shrink Uterine fibroids?
by: Sophia

Hello Amelia
I posted my comments as anonymous a couple of months ago and promised to let you know the result of my ultrasound. I just got the result back today and it indicated my condition has remained unchanged compared to the ultrasound done six month ago. I only do acupuncture with no herbal treatment. The city I live has very limited herbalists.

My bleeding is now going back to normal, from 21 days before the acupuncture treatment to 28 days. The amount of bleeding is normal as well. I am half way through my third treatment now. I am strongly recommended acupuncture for heavy bleeding. It actually works for me. Although my fibroid hasn't shrunk, at least it hasn't grown at all.

I just found a plant that claims to shrink fibroids. I am willing to try it and will share more information with you in the future. This may take months in the process. I am growing this plant myself and I only have one plant to start with.

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Acupuncture and uterine fibroids
by: Amelia Hirota

Hi Sophia,
Thanks so much for updating us on your progress. I'm sorry that acupuncture didn't shrink your fibroid. However, it's fantastic news that your cycle has lengthened from 21 to 28 days. That's wonderful and it's a good foundation for further treatment.

I personally think that you need to change the hormonal background that is supporting the growth or the existence (since it's not growing anymore) of the fibroid. In my experience nutritional supplements and some herbal formulas are helpful for this. Even with appropriate supplementation, it can take a while to naturally shrink a fibroid.

Please let me know what plant you are growing to treat your fibroid. I admire your perseverance. I look forward to your next update.

Sending Babydust Your Way,
Amelia

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Can Acupuncture Shrink Uterine Fibroids?
by: Sophia

Hello Amelia,
What nutritional supplements and herbal formulas would you suggest for shrinking uterine fibroids?

I am growing Sabah snake grass. have you heard of this herb? The link below has more information about this herb.

You can go to Health Talk Buzz and search for Sabah snake grass.

Thanks!
Sophia

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Herbs and Supplements for Fibroids
by: Amelia Hirota

Hi Sophia,
Thanks for your post about the Sabah snake grass. That's very interesting. I'm totally into plants in Malaysia, especially medicinal ones and I haven't heard of this one. I'm off to Sabah next month, so I'll have to look for it.

Anyway, it sounds like you're plugging away with your fibroids and getting your cycle really balanced. That is great!

In terms of herbs and supplements, I'll give you some general guidelines, as I'm not sure exactly what's available in your area.

For herbs, I would recommend taking Chinese herbs that move the blood. These are in the category called Invigorate the Blood. Ask a Chinese herbalist for formulas that move the blood like Tao Hong Si Wu Tang. If you're having a formula made up of raw herbs, some of the insects can be really beneficial.

For supplements, I would recommend supplements that deal with estrogen dominance and liver detoxification. I use a Standard Process product in the clinic called Cruciferous Complete and it's fantastic. You might find something similar that is made from cruciferous vegetables. Also, liver detoxing is important for clearing estrogen metabolites. Some common herbs for this include dandelion and milk thistle.

In Malaysia, I tend to rely on foods to keep my liver healthy. I like anything bitter like bitter melon and petai. This are fantastic for increasing bile production and detoxing the liver. Also, fresh lime juice daily is very good for the liver and the adrenals.

I hope this is helpful to you. Check out my Fertility Webinars for more information. I have an entire webinar devoted to herbs and supplements.

Sending Babydust Your Way,
Amelia

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Sabah Snake Grass
by: May

Hi Sophia,
How did it go with the Sabah Snake Grass? I just started 20 leaves this afternoon after lunch. Not sure if it's causing my menses to be heavier? It's the 2nd day today and normally I do have heavy menses. However, yesterday and this morning before i took SSG, it sorta lessened. Now after taking it I've been changing my pad every 1 hour plus.

I have multiple fibroids, and desperately want to save my uterus. Did SSG work well for you?? I hope to hear your experience. - May

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Acupuncture and Fibroids
by: May

Hello Amelia,
I did acupuncture for abt 6 months, once a week for 1 hour plus to reduce my fibroids. Unfortunately it did not work for me. I also took chinese herbs. In fact it was my TCM doctor who gave up on me.
- May

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Surgery for Fibroids
by: Amelia Hirota

Hi May,
I'm sorry to hear that 6 months of acupuncture and TCM herbs did not clear or reduce your fibroids. You'll see that I recommended to Oneka above to think about pursuing surgery if 3 months of acupuncture and herbs didn't reduce or clear her fibroids.

By the time the body is making fibroids, the hormonal state of the body has been out of balance for some time. Untended estrogen dominance is what promotes the growth of fibroids and if this goes on cycle after cycle, it can be hard to eliminate fibroids with natural methods.

That's why for large fibroids or for fibroids that aren't responding to acupuncture and herbs, I encourage my patients to have the fibroids removed surgically and then continue with the acupuncture, herbs and nutritional supplements to keep the estrogen dominance at bay.

I'm sorry that you weren't successful with your acupuncture and herbal treatment.

Take care,
Amelia

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