Fibroids, also known as leiomyomas, are uterine growths or noncancerous tumors made of smooth muscle cells and connective components.  Fibroids are extremely common, with up to 70% of women developing uterine fibroids over their lifetime. Fibroids vary in form and size, with some as little as seeds and others reaching the size of a grapefruit.

Fibroids can grow or shrink over time, and sex hormones (such as estrogen and progesterone) influence whether they shrink or grow. Although uterine fibroids do not always cause symptoms, bigger fibroids can cause pain and discomfort, including pain during sex, lower back pain, and severe periods. Here is a list of seven ways to treat uterine fibroid.

1. Diet

You might be surprised to learn that some foods might help reduce fibroids and maintain improved uterine health. A fibroid treatment diet is beneficial for individuals with fibroids and is also recommended for women who want to avoid developing fibroids.

The following foods and drinks can help prevent or reduce fibroid development.

  • Fruits and vegetables, especially leafy greens and citrus fruits, as well as potassium-rich fruits like avocado and bananas
  • Lean meats (such as chicken)
  • Legumes (including beans, peas, and lentils) 
  • Oily fish (such as salmon and mackerel)
  • Green tea

2. Microbiome improvement

The microbiome is a community of bacteria that dwell in the intestine. It contains a bacterial colony that aids in the metabolism of estrogen. This bacterial colony is known as the estrobolome, and when the microbiome is healthy, so is the estrobolome. However, when the healthy and harmful bacteria in the microbiome are out of balance (gut dysbiosis), the estrobolome can’t function properly, and estrogen accumulates in the body.

In other words, gut dysbiosis can lead to estrogen dominance-related diseases, such as the formation of fibroids. The elimination of sugar, dairy, and gluten is the first step in healing the microbiota. Supplementing with a good probiotic is also important for developing and maintaining a healthy microbiome.

3. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists

These medications lower estrogen levels, placing you in a menopausal condition that might cause fibroids to shrink. However, this is not a long-term solution. GnRH agonists are used to shrinking fibroids before surgery or to keep them from causing problems till menopause (at which point they will probably stop causing symptoms on their own).

4. MRI-Guided Focused Ultrasound Surgery (FUS)

Focused ultrasound surgery (FUS), also known as magnetic resonance imaging-guided focused ultrasound surgery, employs ultrasonic pulses to burn and eliminate fibroid tissues. Women who have received this minimally invasive surgery report a reduction in fibroid size, reduced symptoms, and a higher quality of life.

5. Uterine fibroid embolization

This technique can shrink a fibroid. Your physician will inject polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) into the arteries feeding the fibroid. The PVA reduces the fibroid’s blood flow, causing it to shrink. Although it is not surgery, you may need to spend a few nights in the hospital due to nausea, vomiting, and discomfort in the days after.

6. Myomectomy 

Fertility-safe techniques are surgical procedures that are meant to remove fibroids surgically while leaving the uterus intact. Typical techniques include:

  • Making multiple small incisions so a surgical scope can allow for minimally-invasive surgery (laparoscopy)
  • Making one bigger incision to physically remove fibroids (laparotomy)
  • Inserting a surgical scope into the uterus via the vagina, so fibroids within the uterine cavity can be removed (hysteroscopy)

7. Hysterectomy

The only way to prevent fibroids from recurring is to have the uterus surgically removed. This procedure is generally reserved for women who are near or past menopause, have big fibroids, have excessive bleeding, or do not desire children.