Uterine Fibroids and Hysterectomy - Lifestyle Changes

Alternative Treatments

Many women with menstrual disorders may resort to alternative treatments. It should be noted, however, that there has been little research on any whether any such therapies benefit fibroids. They can also be expensive, are not regulated, and, as with standard drugs, can produce side effects.

Acupuncture. Some women report relief from pelvic pain and heaviness after acupuncture

Click the icon to see an image of acupuncture.

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Yoga. Yoga exercises help some women relieve sensations of heaviness and pressure.

Herbal Remedies. Herbal remedies used for fibroids include ginseng or herbal combinations of rhubarb, cinnamon, and sargassum seaweed. It is possible that some herbal medicines may be helpful, but patients should always be wary of unproven claims for quick cures.

Warnings on Alternative and So-Called Natural Remedies

Alternative or natural remedies are not regulated and their quality is not publicly controlled. In addition, any substance that can affect the body's chemistry can, like any drug, produce side effects that may be harmful. Even if studies report positive benefits from herbal remedies, the compounds used in such studies are, in most cases, not what are being marketed to the public.

There have been a number of reported cases of serious and even lethal side effects from herbal products. In addition, some so-called natural remedies were found to contain standard prescription medication. Of specific concern are studies suggesting that up to 30% of herbal patent remedies imported from China were laced with potent pharmaceuticals, such as phenacetin and steroids. Most reported problems occurred in herbal remedies imported from Asia, with one study reporting a significant percentage of such remedies containing toxic metals.

The following website is building a database of natural remedy brands that it tests and rates. Not all are available (www.consumerlab.com ).

The Food and Drug Administration has a program called MEDWATCH for people to report adverse reactions to untested substances, such as herbal remedies and vitamins (800-332-1088).