How to Get Rid of Fibroid Pain

Fibroids are benign (non-cancerous) masses of tissue that form in the lining of the uterus. They are very common in women of child-bearing age and usually do not cause any symptoms or complications. If they are on the larger end, they can cause pain and longer and heavier periods. Excessive estrogen fuels their growth, and reducing the amount of estrogen reaching the fibroids will shrink them, which in turn will relieve the pain. If your case is more severe, removing the fibroids might be the best option.

Instructions

• 1

  Discuss treatment options with your doctor. If your fibroids are growing and causing pain, you might consider certain medications or procedures to treat it. If your main concern is addressing the pain, an intra-uterine device that contains progesterone can ease treat fibroid pain. It will not shrink them though. You can also take medications that interfere with estrogen production; this will reduce pain and shrink the fibroids. These drugs will stop menstruation.

  If your fibroids are causing significant pain, your doctor might recommend certain surgical procedures to remove them. The only way to remove fibroids and keep them from coming back is hysterectomy, which removes your entire uterus. This will end your fertility. A myomectomy involves removing the fibroids only and leaves your uterus intact. The fibroids can always come back though. Other options include a variety of non-surgical procedures that destroy the fibroids without removing them. Again, it is possible they can come back.

• 2

  Avoid foods that contain added hormones. This includes any conventionally produced animal products. If you want to eat meat, eggs and dairy, go organic. Eat more fruits, vegetables, soy foods and flaxseed; they contain beneficial substances that act in a similar fashion to the estrogen in your body. They will attach themselves to the estrogen receptors in your fibroids, which will keep regular estrogen from entering them and fueling their growth.

• 3

  Engage in regular aerobic exercise; aim for at least 30 minutes most days of the week. Regular exercise promotes lower estrogen levels. Aerobic exercise includes walking, running, swimming and biking. Start off slowly if you are not already exercising regularly. If you do not think you can get in 30 minutes all at once, break it up into 10-minute chunks throughout the day.

• 4

  Maintain a healthy weight. Hormones are made in our body fat. If you have excess body fat, you will produce excess estrogen.