Can Acupuncture Shrink Uterine fibroids?

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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Can Acupuncture Shrink Uterine fibroids?

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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

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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Dear Amelia, I have uterine fibroids and I had a myomectomy when I was 27. 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. Learn the answer to Oneka's question, "can acupuncture shrink uterine fibroids?" and ask your own questions too.

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