Stress + Hormone Imbalance: Why They Go Hand in Hand
August 15, 2016
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photo by Cody Black on Unsplash
Being diagnosed with a hormone imbalance can be a scary, overwhelming thing.
The good news?
You don’t have to just deal with living a life filled with the symptoms of a hormone imbalance.
In fact, you can live harmoniously with your hormones … despite your hormone imbalance.
If you’re just tuning into this series, I’m discussing how to live a balanced life with a hormone imbalance. So far, we’ve covered: living a balanced life with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and living a balanced life with Endometriosis. In the upcoming months, we’ll cover balanced living with: low progesterone, estrogen dominance, and blocked fallopian tubes.
This week’s topic? Uterine Fibroids!
I am a strong believer in treating things naturally.
Yes, there are situations and circumstances when conventional medical care is necessary; however, I feel like natural remedies should always be the foundation, and can go hand in hand with medical treatments when necessary!
Did you know that fibroids are responsible for over 200,000 hysterectomies in the USA annually?!
Uterine fibroids are tumors that form in the female reproductive system. They’re usually found in women over 30 and are rare (but not unheard of) in women under 20. About 20 to 50 percent of women of reproductive age have fibroids, although this is just an estimate, because many women go diagnosed—but somewhere between 30 to 77 percent of women will develop fibroids sometime during their childbearing years, although often fibroids will be too small to be detected during a physical exam by a physician.
Fibroids — also known as uterine myomas, leiomyomas, or fibromas — are firm, compact tumors that are made of smooth muscle cells and fibrous connective tissue that form a fibrous ‘knot’ or ‘mass’ within the uterus. In most cases, fibroids are benign (non-cancerous).
Although all uterine fibroids are essentially the same, they get different names based on where they’re located:
* intramural fibroids are are the most common.
Many women who have fibroids don’t have any symptoms—but when they do, the symptoms can be influenced by the location, size and number of fibroids.
In women who have symptoms, the most common symptoms of uterine fibroids include:
In some cases, heavy or prolonged menstrual periods (and/or abnormal bleeding between periods) can lead to iron-deficiency anemia, which also requires treatment.
The growth patterns of uterine fibroids vary—they can grow slowly or rapidly, or they can stay the same size. Some fibroids go through growth spurts, and some may shrink on their own.
While the exact cause of uterine fibroids is unknown, research and clinical experience tell us that some of the following factors can lead to the development of fibroids:
Many fibroids contain changes in genes that differ from those in normal uterine muscle cells.
Estrogen and progesterone appear to promote the growth of fibroids. Fibroids contain more estrogen and progesterone receptors than normal uterine muscle cells do. Fibroids tend to shrink after menopause due to a decrease in hormone production.
A woman with a mother or sister who had/has fibroids is more likely to develop fibroids herself.
African American women are two to three times more likely to develop fibroids than women of other races or ethnicities. Black women tend have fibroids at younger ages, and have more fibroids and larger ones.
Foods high in unhealthy fats like non-organic animal foods, processed meats, fried foods, and vegetable oils usually contain multiple chemical additives, and can increase inflammation in the body.
Women who are overweight or obese are more likely to develop fibroids compared to women who maintain a healthy weight.
High blood pressure or hypertension seems to increase a woman’s risk of fibroids.
Overt hypothyroidism has been associated with the presence of fibroids.
Women who begin menstruation prior to the age of 10 are at a higher risk for fibroids than women who started menstruating after the age of 10.
Taking birth control pills can make fibroids grow more quickly because of the increased estrogen level in the body.
Fibroids—specifically submucosal fibroids—are thought to be the cause of infertility in 2 to 10 percent of infertility cases. Studies have shown that uterine fibroids may be responsible for the following fertility, conception, and pregnancy problems:
Not all women with uterine fibroids will experience these troubles and many go on to have healthy pregnancies even with uterine fibroids. Due to the risks associated with fertility and pregnancy, it is best to work to reduce fibroid growth, prevent formation of new fibroids and to maintain healthy lifestyle choices BEFORE trying to get pregnant it order to bring about the best possible uterine health.
It’s important to know that many fibroids that are present during pregnancy shrink or disappear after pregnancy, as the uterus goes back to a normal size.
This probably won’t surprise you, but just like PCOS and Endometriosis, there is no “cure” for fibroids.
The good news: you have plenty of options when it comes to managing and preventing further fibroid symptoms and related illnesses!
As with any major diet and lifestyle changes, it takes at least 6-12 months of consistent change, along with natural therapies to bring about real change in the body when living with fibroids. So don’t give up when things get tough, I promise that these changes will be worth it in the long run!
First and foremost—the most obvious change of them all—eliminate foods that make fibroid symptoms worse!
Eliminate the following inflammatory foods from your diet:
high-fat, processed meats
High-fat, processed meats are some of the worst food choices for women when it comes to fibroids. Foods high in unhealthy fats like non-organic processed meats can increase inflammation levels and often contain chemical additives (think non-organic bacon, sausages, cured meats, hamburgers, etc.). When you eat meat, you should always opt for organic and 100% grass-fed.
conventional dairy
Non-organic dairy is very high in steroids and other chemicals that can alter hormones and encourage the development and growth of fibroids.
refined sugar
Consuming refined sugar can increase pain and reduce immune function in the body. It may also lead to weight gain and hormonal imbalance, two factors that encourage the development of fibroids.
refined carbohydrates
Managing hormones not only involves the elimination of sugars from the diet, but also refined carbohydrates. Refined carbs cause insulin levels to spike and hormones to become out of whack. Consuming processed grains like those in bread, pasta, cereal, baked goods, sweets, etc. cause the same negative affects to the body as eating sugar. These refined carbohydrates have been stripped of everything but starch, so they offer negative health consequences and no nutritional value.
alcohol
Overdoing it in the alcohol department increases inflammation throughout the body, reduces immune function and encourages hormonal imbalances. By reducing or eliminating alcohol, you can help to get your hormones back on track and hopefully shrink those fibroids fast.
caffeine
Too much caffeine is taxing on your body, especially your liver. When your liver is too busy focusing on detoxification, it diverts precious energy away from the reproductive and hormonal system. Another negative aspect of coffee in particular is that studies show drinking more than two cups of coffee daily may boost estrogen levels in women and could worsen conditions with a hormonal basis (like fibroids). The more you can keep your caffeine consumption down, the easier it is for your liver to detoxify your body and keep your hormones in proper, fibroid-discouraging balance.
Next, make sure you are eating plenty of the following fibroid-healing foods in your diet:
organic foods
Eating organic foods can help to prevent and shrink fibroids. Pesticides impact estrogen and other hormones levels. Since hormonal balance is key to natural fibroid treatment, you want to reduce your pesticide intake as much as possible.
green leafy vegetables
Green leafy vegetables discourage the growth of fibroids in a woman’s body. These vegetables are vitamin K-rich foods. Vitamin K aids in clotting and helps control menstrual bleeding.
cruciferous vegetables
Cruciferous vegetables support detoxification of your liver and balance estrogen levels. Research has shown that high consumption of broccoli, cabbage, Chinese cabbage, tomato and apple seems to be a protective factor for uterine fibroids. A greater intake of cruciferous vegetables (and fresh fruits) is believed to be capable of reducing the incidence of uterine fibroids in women.
beta-carotene rich foods
Upon digestion, the human body turns beta carotene into vitamin A, which promotes the growth of healthy tissues as well as the repair of tissues, which can both be very helpful for healing fibroids. Some foods high in beta-carotene include carrots, sweet potatoes, kale and spinach.
high-iron foods
Fibroids sometimes cause some women to lose more blood during their monthly menstruation. This can lead to anemia. To replace the excessive loss of iron, include high-iron foods like grass-fed beef and legumes in your diet to help replace that lost iron and prevent anemia.
flaxseeds
Flaxseeds help balance estrogen levels in the body, which can help to shrink fibroids. You should aim for at least two tablespoons per day if you have fibroids. You can add flaxseeds to your smoothie, sprinkle them on your salad, or simply eat the seeds by themselves.
starchy vegetables
Sweet potatoes, winter squashes (acorn, butternut, spaghetti, kabocha, etc), plantains, and taro are high in soluble fiber which helps the body to get rid of excess estrogens.
filter your water
Tap water contains a high amount of residual estrogens from all the millions of women on hormonal birth control, so it’s important to make sure you’re using a high quality water filter that gets rid of fluoride, estrogens, dioxins (chemicals that act as xenoestrogens in the body increasing your overall estrogen levels), heavy metals and pesticides.
It’s easy to be overwhelmed with supplements options when it comes to treating fibroids, but don’t worry, that’s where I come in! I’ve rounded up my fav four supplements to help reduce fibroids:
OmegAvail Hi-Po: The essential fatty acids found in fish oil can help reduce inflammation in your body, which may play a part in fibroid growth.
LV/GB Complex: LV-GB Complex is a comprehensive formula designed to support elimination of toxins through the specific combination of nutrients and herbs. By supporting liver and gallbladder function, LV-GB Complex supports the elimination of fatty substances from the liver and the digestion and assimilation of fats and fat soluble vitamins. Milk Thistle aids the body in liver detoxification, which is imperative for hormone balance.
Inflammatone: Inflammatone contains a blend of proteolytic enzymes. Systemic enzymes may be helpful in reducing the size of uterine fibroids, healing and preventing scar tissue damage from existing uterine fibroids, promote healthy circulation and detoxification of tissues, while also reducing pain and inflammation. Enzymes have been shown in research to reduce the engorgement (swelling and pain) of fibrocystic conditions. They also eat away at the cysts reducing their size or eliminating them over time.
FemGuard+Balance: FemGuard+Balance supports classic herbal hormonal balancing in the form of vitex, polygonum and black cohosh, along with DIM and chrysin for protection and support of beneficial estrogen aromatase activity. Calcium-D-glucarate promotes the proper elimination of excess estrogens. Rosemary, resveratrol, grape seed extract, and EGCg from green tea are included for maximum antioxidant protection. Vitamins B6, B12, and folate promote proper cell differentiation. Magnesium and calcium are also included to help support optimal hormone health.
Lifestyle changes are some of the most effective ways to help shrink fibroids and eliminate the symptoms associated with fibroids. The following lifestyle suggestions compliment your dietary and nutrition changes. I suggest implementing as many of the following as possible.
clean up your environment
Check out the Environmental Working Group’s website to find the cleanest cosmetics, sunscreens, personal care products, house cleaners, and everything else. You can also check out the Shop My Home section of my website to optimize your skincare, body products, cleaning supplies, etc.
exercise
Exercise boosts production of our feel-good hormones, anti-inflammatory chemicals, improves estrogen metabolism by the liver, and burns fat. Less fat = less estrogen = less pain. Thirty to sixty minutes of daily, low impact movement—yoga, power walking, swimming, strength training, hiking, biking, etc.—will get your heart rate up, increase circulation to your reproductive organs, and help you improve your overall physical and mental health.
castor oil packs
A Castor Oil Pack is a cloth soaked in castor oil which is placed on the skin to enhance circulation and promote healing of the tissues and organs underneath the skin. Castor oil packs are wonderful for women with fibroids because they can clear out old tissue and congestion.
bioidentical progesterone
Although it’s not considered a cure, it may improve symptoms such as pain during menstrual periods and pelvic pain.
It’s important for this treatment to be supervised, and to have progesterone levels monitored, because too much progesterone can cause side effects as mood changes, depression, water retention, weight gain, and absent or abnormal menstrual bleeding.
To read more about dosing and how bioidentical progesterone works, see Increasing Progesterone with Progesterone Cream.
stress reduction
Cortisol is a hormone involved in the stress response but is also needed to make other hormones such as progesterone. Prolonged stress can lead to elevations in cortisol, which may decrease available progesterone and result in a hormonal imbalance.
The present world is filled with stress, that’s non-negotiable. But how you respond and react to stress is entirely in your control. Practice managing your daily stressors with ease. My favorite tools for this are: restorative yoga, long slow walks in nature, biofeedback, a hot bath, a massage, or whatever else brings your unique soul pleasure! This may be one of the most important things you can do to manage fibroids symptoms!
Fibroids are the most frequently seen tumors of the female reproductive system with an estimated 20 to 50 percent of women of reproductive age having fibroids.
Fibroids—specifically submucosal fibroids—are thought to be the cause of infertility in 2 to 10 percent of infertility cases.
You CAN manage fibroids symptoms naturally through diet and lifestyle changes!
The Fertility Code is the best-kept secret of women who want to take the guesswork out of conceiving, and give themselves every possible chance of getting pregnant quickly and naturally.
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This essential fertility course is for anyone who is struggling to get pregnant, or thinking about getting pregnant soon. The course covers all the fertility topics: egg quality, ovarian reserve, miscarriage, ovulation, cycle tracking, low progesterone, IVF, prepping for egg retrieval + embryo transfer, thyroid health, toxins, and much more.It covers EVERYTHING you need to know and you can move through the modules at your own pace.
The Fertility Code will give you the tools, protocols, tests, supplements, and more to optimize your fertility health, nourish your body, and give it what it needs to make a baby, and ensure a healthy full-term pregnancy.It has helped hundreds of women get pregnant, and stay pregnant, and it can help you too.
And if you want to get a baseline of your fertility health before getting started, take my quiz! After you complete it, you’ll receive a detailed report from me explaining your results.
If you want more personalized guidance and support, or want to have a more in-depth conversation about your specific concerns, feel free to schedule a 1:1 consultation. I offer 1:1 consultations through the convenience of video conferencing for women and couples with various fertility & hormonal health concerns.
Sarah Jane Sandy is a certified nutrition therapist, and a fertility and women’s health expert. She has helped hundreds of women increase their fertility naturally and go on to have healthy full-term pregnancies. Learn more about her own fertility journey here. To send Sarah a message, complete her Contact Form.
