
FIBROIDS, Symptoms , Causes ,Homeopathic medicine
Fibroids are benign (noncancerous) tumors in the uterus. In the developed world, they occur in about 20 percent of women over 30, mainly between 35 and 45. A fibroid may grow steadily in the wall of the uterus, or project into the uterine cavity, in which case it will be attached to the wall by a stalk. Fibroids shrink after menopause
Symptoms
• Possibly no symptoms at all if a fibroid is very small.
• Possible heavy or lengthy menstrual periods that may cause anemia if a fibroid is large.
• Symptoms of cystitis if a large fibroid presses on the bladder.
• Backaches or constipation if a large fibroid presses on the colon.
• Possible difficulty in conceiving, miscarriage, pain during pregnancy, or problems during labor if there is a large fibroid in the uterine cavity.
• Severe pain if a fibroid stalk becomes twisted, cutting off its blood supply.
Causes
Fibroids are growths in smooth muscle and connective tissue. It is believed that they grow in response to estrogen stimulation or as an abnormal response to normal levels of estrogen. They can be caused by taking oral contraceptives, and tend to enlarge during pregnancy. As a result of the decrease in estrogen levels during the menopause, fibroids shrink and eventually disappear.
Homeopathic medicine
Homeopathic treatment aims to correct imbalances in estrogen levels or the body’s extraordinary response to normal estrogen levels. A constitutional approach will address the interaction between the ovaries and the pituitary gland. The choice of remedy will depend upon an individual’s particular symptoms (see page 18). Calc. carb. is used for the treatment of growths on stalks that project from the uterine wall. For problems that may be associated with fibroids, Lachesis is indicated when the circulation of blood in the uterus leads to bleeding into surrounding muscle. Phosphorous is used for the overdevelopment of muscle, and Sepia is associated with inflammation of the uterus and prolapse (displacement of the uterus). Remedies may be prescribed specifically in an attempt to shrink a fibroid. These include Calc. iod., when fibroids are small and there is a profuse, yellow vaginal discharge; and Fraxinus, when the uterus is swollen and accompanied by an urge to bear down, and there are painful cramps and a watery, brown vaginal discharge during menstruation. Silica is used when menstrual periods are heavy, possibly with intermittent bleeding, and the body feels ice-cold; and Aurum mur. is often prescribed for a swollen, painful uterus with spasmodic vaginal contractions.