Fibroids do not develop until the body begins producing estrogen during the onset of menstruation. During the reproductive years, hormonal imbalance can cause fibroids to form and grow.  Hormonal imbalance occurs when estrogen and progesterone are not present in the proper proportions, often referred to as estrogen dominance. The most common imbalance that causes fibroids is low progesterone in ratio to estrogen.

Progesterone production decreases during the 30s and 40s.  When additional estrogen, such as the type found in birth control pills, hormone replacement therapy, and plant and environmental estrogens is brought into the mix, hormonal imbalance occurs.  Additionally, fibroid tumors may grow very quickly during pregnancy when the body is producing extra estrogen.

Primary Types of Uterine Fibroids

Uterine fibroids can be so tiny that you need a microscope to see them. However, they can grow very large. They may fill the entire uterus, and may weigh several pounds. Although it is possible for just one fibroid to develop, usually there are more than one.

There are four primary types of uterine fibroids, classified primarily according to location in the uterus:

Addressing Uterine Fibroids

Often, women are told that a fibroid condition is not medically addressed unless they become bothersome. However, at this point invasive procedures, such as surgery, hysterectomy, myomectomy, and embolization are generally the only options offered.  Therefore, it is a good idea to try and resolve this condition before they become too large or problematic. In many cases, if they have become large and problematic, but are not a threat to your health or vital organs, then you should still be able to attempt to shrink them naturally. 

Furthermore, uterine fibroids often shrink and disappear after menopause when the body stops producing as much estrogen.  However, if a woman has used hormone replacement therapy for many years, there is a possibility that she may have an excess of stored estrogen that can prevent fibroids from shrinking after menopause. A woman will almost never develop fibroid tumors when they are postmenopausal.

Please read our fibroid tumor website page where you can learn more about this condition, as well as a variety of natural dietary supplements that have helped many women shrink their fibroids.  The links on the left navigation bar offer educational information, products, and support. Our on-staff nutritionist is available to answer your questions by phone, email, LIVE CHAT, or on our Message Boards.

Evidence is steadily growing that xenoestrogens and other hormone mimicking substances are implicated in a wide range of human and wildlife health problems. Estrogen dominance from these environmental hormone disrupters are causing an imbalance of hormones, creating a host of estrogen dominance symptoms in both sexes.

Phytoestrogens and Xenoestrogens

Phytoestrogens (phyto meaning plant) are naturally occurring estrogenic compounds that are found in a variety of plant foods such as beans, seeds, and grains.  Their chemical structure resembles estrogen. Phytoestrogens that mimic estrogen may affect the production and/or the breakdown of estrogen by the body, as well as the levels of estrogen carried in the bloodstream. These mimickers can either have the same effects as estrogen or block estrogen's effects.  These compounds are generally weak estrogens, in comparison to real estrogen, synthetic estrogen (HRT), and xenoestrogens.

Following are some of the strongest phytoestrogen containing substances:

• Soy
• Black Cohosh
• Chasteberry
• Dong Quai
• Red Clover
• Flaxseed
• Caffeine

Xeno literally means foreign, therefore xenoestrogens means foreign estrogens. Some of the 70,000 registered chemicals for use in the United States have hormonal effects in addition to toxic effects.  Scientists have suggested that environmental estrogens might be reducing sperm counts in men and causing breast cancer, fibroids, and other reproductive diseases in women. Xenoestrogens can be found in many of our meats and dairy products in the form of chemicals and growth hormones that are given to the animals.  These can be quite powerful, and should be avoided where possible.

How to avoid some of the environmental sources of estrogen we are exposed to:

• Avoid all pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides. Wash your food well to rid the pesticides.
• Bathe washed vegetables and fruits in a produce wash or ozonated water for 20 minutes before using.
• Use only organic based whole foods when you can. Buy hormone free meats and dairy products where possible.
• Have a good water filter for your source of water.
• Avoid plastic goods – they leach into the environment.
• Do not microwave food in plastic containers, and especially avoid the use of plastic wrap to cover food when microwaving.

Read More in our Environmental Estrogens Page

Getting Back to Balance

By learning how you can change and/or maintain your health, you can alleviate many of the symptoms associated with hormone imbalances.

Balanced hormones allows women and men to move through the stages of hormonal ups and downs with the help of adequate nutritional support, natural hormone replacement, exercise, herbs, and vitamin and mineral supplements.

Without a proper understanding of how hormone imbalances can adversely affect us, women and men, are often prescribed synthetic hormones, anti-depressants, and a host of other drugs to relieve the symptoms without addressing the underlying causes.

What works to support healthy hormonal balance?  We make the following suggestions:

• Hormonal support with a natural progesterone cream for women and for men
• Nutritional supplements such as the Life Essence and One n Only to ensure your body has the nutrients it needs to make and balance its hormones
• DIM and/or Myomin to metabolize excess estrogen
• Detoxification assistance with supplements such as Calcium D-Glucarate

Now is the time to take charge and educate yourselves about the negative impact that hormone imbalances can have on your overall health and what you can do naturally to help regain and maintain hormonal balance.

Men too can suffer from estrogen dominance. Phytoestrogens from plants and xenoestrogens from environmental sources can produce hormonal stimuli that can contribute to inappropriate growth of mammary tissue cells, resulting in a problem society is calling “man boobs.”  Some theorize that estrogen dominance in men is contributing to hair loss, atherosclerosis, prostate problems, lowered libido, weight gain, and impotency.

Symptoms of estrogen dominance in women and men:

Correcting Estrogen Dominance

What assists in correcting estrogen dominance in women and men?  Alternative health care makes the following suggestions:

• Hormonal support with a natural progesterone cream for women and men
• DIM and/or Myomin to metabolize excess estrogen
• Detoxification assistance with supplements such as Calcium D-Glucarate
• Dietary and environmental changes to rid yourself of phytoestrogens and xenoestrogens
• Lifestyle changes to manage the stresses in your life
• Nutritional supplements to ensure your body has the nutrients it needs to make and balance its hormones.  These nutrients tend to be low when estrogen is high:
  • Magnesium
  • Zinc
  • Vitamin B Complex
  • Vitamin E 400 IU for breast tenderness and fibroid inflammation

Please be sure to review the links provided above for full product descriptions, suggested uses, and brands.  This important information can help you regain balance for a healthier life.

Fibroids may grow as a single nodule or in clusters and may range in size from 1 cm to more than 20 cm (8 inches) in diameter.  They may grow within the wall of the uterus or they may project into the interior cavity, or toward the outer surface.  In rare cases, they may grow on stalks or peduncles projecting from the surface of the uterus. These are known as pendunculated fibroids. 

While many women do not experience any problems, symptoms can be severe enough to require treatment, and are the most common indication for surgery, including hysterectomy, myomectomy, and uterine fibroid embolization.

Our website contains extensive information about uterine fibroids , estrogen dominance, and
hormonal balance.  Our on-staff nutritionist is available to answer your questions by phone, email, LIVE CHAT, or on our Message Boards.

• Vitalzym
• DIM
• Myomin
• Natural Progesterone
• Calcium D-Glucarate
• Vitamin A