Question any and everything you read in a public forum. There is always a mix of good advice and information with misinformation and utter b.s. Since there is a hormonal component to their development, stress and lifestyle are major factors with fibroids, genetics too can play a role. Herbs that increase circulation to the pelvic area can be helpful as can herbs that support the endocrine system (hormones) As stated above many women do nothing except wait for the menopausal shift in hormones which makes them a non issue, a viable option unless they are causing you trouble in some way.

Hi. This is my experience which may be of some help, and certainly wont harm you trying. I was found to have three 4-5cm fibroids when investigating why I wasn't getting pregnant four years ago, seen by internal ultrasound and keyhole surgery. The fibroids were left and endometriosis was dealt with and I became pregnant. Towards the end of my pregnancy I was given regular ultrasounds as one of the fibroids was right next to the cervix and they were not sure if I would be able to have a natural birth. My cervix stretched and it moved out the way so all was fine. Now here's the mind blowing bit...14 months later I had my 12 week ultrasound with my second baby and there was NO sign of them. We asked, they checked...not even small ones! They were certainly not detected throughout the rest of my pregnancy. Of course I have wondered how this could be having read surgery was the only and undesirable way to get rid of them. My conclusions based on my life style are....I have been a non-meat eater for 20 years...so not that. I have never smoked, rarely drink...didn't cause them. My diet is ok, but not really healthy; eaten oily fish for years so not that. BUT I had become lactose intolerant (too many anti-biotics) around 5 years ago, and maybe those fibroids were actually already shrinking when they were discovered? I had also been taking Vitex to help get pregnant and maybe some other herbal things but certainly nothing that promised to get rid of fibroids. After a year of eating no milk products I read that some hard cheeses such as English cheddar, Edam etc have only traces of lactose (see the 'carbohydrates - of which sugars' label on the cheese) which I can tolerate, and have eaten for four years now, but I do not eat any other products containing milk including chocolate, some crisps, cakes etc...check your labels. I would love this info to help someone...worth a try? its not proven and I haven't had them checked out in the last year since childbirth - could have been something else im not thinking of? From my searches they don't look like they just disappear after childbirth? Good luck all XX

Interesting! I have heard about Vitex powder treating infertility & increasing menstrual flow. So Vitex can actually help with heavy periods. I am 45 yrs old and have occasion cold flashes followed by some sweats-especially before my period. Some people recommend black cohosh to me. I am not sure if it works.

I would definitely advise her to look into UAE (or UFE as it is also called). It can be used on large fibroids, small ones, multiple ones (within reason; see my situation below). It's often not recommended by gynecologists, because they are not the ones who do the procedure -- instead, they often recommend hysterectomy, so they can get the surgical fees for doing that procedure themselves. Or they may not be "up" on the latest procedures, or think it's experimental. It's been in practice for quite a few years now, and many, many women have had it done and its worked well for them. I've been diagnosed with fibroids myself, which is why I've been looking into this lately. Unfortunately, I'm not a good candidate for the procedure, due to the sheer prevalence of fibroids (my gyno says my uterus is "riddled" with them), and the rapid growth that I've had over the past couple of years; even if I did go with UFE, it's almost assured that I would get more fibroids, so it's just not worth doing for me. I'll also second checking out hystersisters.com, if you're considering hysterectomy or UFE -- lots of other people going through the same stuff as you, and good advice and suggestions.