Can Acupuncture Shrink Uterine fibroids?

Email
Name

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

Comments for
Can Acupuncture Shrink Uterine fibroids?

Average Rating

Click here to add your own comments

Rating

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

X Close Editor

Rating

Submitted by: Amelia Hirota

Title

Comment
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

Cancel Delete Delete & Ban

throbber Updating Comments page...

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How?
Simply click here to return to Ask The Fertility Acupuncturist!

Discussions

Ask Amelia!

Testimonials

The colon cleanse from Blessed Herbs is great! I've done lots of colon cleanses in the past and this one's the real deal! Thanks for the recommendation!

Hooked on Detoxing,
Julie Starr - Los Angeles

More Testimonials

Fertility Articles

Grab a cup of warm herbal tea and enjoy a good read about how to naturally enhance your fertility in the Article section. You also can just relax and watch informative Videos or listen to educational Podcasts. And don't forget to join in the Discussions! acupuncture-infertility

My name is Nicole and I started working with Amelia after not getting my period for several months after going off birth control pills. I had been on and off birth control pills for 10 years and was ready to start trying for a baby.

At 28 years old (and my husband was 29) we could not imagine that we would have problems conceiving. After 3 months and lots of tests with my OBGYN, I was encouraged to try acupuncture because there were no "medical" reasons why I wasn't getting my period.

After just one appointment with Amelia I got my period and after just 3 or 4 months, I was pregnant. I am now 32 weeks and due in September. We are so excited to meet our baby boy!

I would strongly encourage any woman to give acupuncture a try if they are having trouble conceiving or even just having trouble getting their body ready for conception. Best of luck to all of you!
Read More Stories like Nicole's

The content on The Fertility Acupuncturist should not be considered medical advice and is not meant to treat, cure or prevent any disease or illness.
Specific medical advice should be obtained from your primary physician or a licensed health care practitioner.
None of the content contained in this site may be reproduced without prior consent.
© Copyright 2006-2008 Amelia Hirota, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Design by AJ