Uterine Fibroids: Can Fibroids Shrink Without Treatment

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Overview

Uterine fibroids or leiomyomas are benign or non-cancerous growths that occur in the uterus in most women of the reproductive age group. They can differ in their size, ranging from small, indetectable growths to large bulky fibroids. Uterine fibroids can be present singly or in multiples. The severity of the symptoms is also different for different women. Some women are asymptomatic, and others have abdominal pain, increased menstrual bleeding, and cramps. If you suffer from any such symptom, you should consult with the best gynecologist in South Delhi at the earliest.

Treatment for fibroids depends on your symptoms and own personal condition. In this article, we will discuss whether fibroids can shrink without treatment and what lifestyle changes you can make to prevent fibroids. Women have many questions about this issue, such as the diet to shrink fibroids, foods that shrink fibroids fast, the 7 foods for shrinking fibroids, exercises to shrink fibroids, and what are vitamins to shrink fibroids.

Can fibroids shrink on their own?

Yes, most fibroids grow slowly or not at all. These may even shrink on their own without any treatment. Some home remedies and lifestyle modifications can help with the shrinkage of fibroids. While the cause of fibroids is not known exactly, it has been linked to female reproductive hormones.

Fibroids have been shown to contain more estrogen receptors than progesterone compared to the normal uterine lining. These hormones rise and fall periodically in the reproductive age. However, as menopause sets in, these hormones also decrease. That is why it is commonly seen that uterine fibroids shrink on their own after menopause.

What are the signs & symptoms of fibroids shrinking?

Women often feel an acute, stabbing pain in their abdomen, which is associated with abdominal swelling as the fibroids shrink. This is because of the release of chemicals when the fibroid cells die. Some women also experience fever during this time. After a short phase of pain and swelling, these symptoms subside, and if you were suffering from symptoms because of fibroids, such as more menstrual bleeding and abdominal pain, these also go away as your fibroids start shrinking. Other than this, the only definite way to know whether your fibroids are shrinking or not is to check their size on an Ultrasound.

Diet and lifestyle changes to lower risk of fibroids

You can make some lifestyle changes like diet changes to lower the risk of getting fibroids. So what is the best diet to shrink fibroids? The best foods that shrink fibroids fast include

  • Food items that are rich in fiber, such as fresh fruits and vegetables.
  • Food items rich in potassium like bananas, dates, potatoes, tomatoes, and more. 
  • Dairy
  • Green tea

You should avoid food items that contain sugar and phytoestrogens, which are naturally occurring compounds that act as estrogens in the body. These include red meats from sources that have added hormones, soyabeans, and soya milk.

The different lifestyle modifications that you can help to lower the risk of fibroids include the following:

  • Eat a good, well-balanced diet
  • Decrease your alcohol intake
  • Lower your blood pressure
  • Lose weight in case you are overweight to reduce the estrogen effects on the body
  • Avoid smoking
  • Get more Vitamin D, which is one of the most important vitamins to shrink fibroids

Other vitamins to shrink fibroids include:

  • Vitamin B1
  • Vitamin B6
  • Vitamin E
  • Magnesium
  • Omega-3 fatty acids

How to shrink fibroids fast?

Eating a healthy diet and leading a proper lifestyle is the best way to shrink your fibroids fast. Apart from that, there are certain home remedies that you can take to help in the shrinkage process. These include the following:

  • Warm compresses using a hot water bag
  • Taking warm baths
  • Yoga and exercise
  • Massage therapy

Other than this, your doctor can prescribe you certain medicines that will help shrink your fibroids fast, such as:

  • Hormonal medicines which will help stabilize your hormones
  • Progesterone releasing Intra-uterine devices or IUDs

Do fibroids hurt when shrinking?

Fibroids get their nutrition from the blood vessels. As they become too large, the blood vessel may not be able to provide all the nutrients to the fibroids. This leads to the shrinkage of fibroids. One of the most common symptoms that are felt during fibroid shrinkage is acute abdominal pain of a stabbing nature. The pain is often accompanied by abdominal swelling. Some women may also experience fever during this time.

These symptoms occur because of the release of chemical compounds as the cells of the fibroids die because of lack of nutrition.

Can fibroids shrink during pregnancy?

Most fibroids do not change their size during pregnancy. However, some fibroids can increase in size because of the raised estrogen levels during pregnancy. This is usually seen during the first trimester of pregnancy. 

But studies have also shown that about 79% of the fibroids that existed before the pregnancy decreased in size after delivery of the baby.

Takeaway

This was a brief article on fibroids and how they can be managed. In case you are suffering from fibroids or have any further doubts, feel free to contact the best gynecologist in South Delhi.

Dr. Madhu Goel is the top gynecologist in gk 2. She has completed her studies from the reputed colleges in Delhi and has extensive experience treating all kinds of gynecological problems. She is also an expert in managing high-risk pregnancies. Dr. Madhu Goel has several national and international publications to her name, and she works in association with the Fortis hospital in GK-2.

Consult her for the uterine fibroids treatment in South Delhi.

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