| Uterine fibroids and ovarian cysts are both fairly | | | | shrink or halt the growth of the fibroid, as well as |
| common ailments affecting women's reproductive | | | | several alternatives for surgical removal, depending on |
| organs. I've had experience with both. Unfortunately by | | | | the size and location of the fibroid. |
| the time I became fully aware of them, they were | | | | I initially chose the least invasive option offered, which |
| quite large, and I opted to have them surgically | | | | was the use of a progesterone cream, which we |
| removed. But I'm hoping to find a holistic and natural | | | | hoped would shrink the fibroid. After 3 months, the |
| way to prevent them from recurring. So the question is | | | | fibroid was bigger instead of smaller, and my doctor |
| whether yoga or other alternative therapies can help. | | | | found a large cyst that she was concerned about, so |
| Even if you have not had them chances are you've | | | | surgery became the next step. Part of me wanted to |
| heard of uterine fibroids. You may even have one or | | | | try alternative healing therapies, like Reiki, but I was also |
| more. Uterine fibroids are fairly common | | | | impatient and had little faith that alternative therapies |
| non-cancerous growths in or around the uterus, the | | | | would quickly dissipate a large growth. It turns out that |
| cause of which is officially unknown. According to The | | | | my large fibroid was over a pound in weight and larger |
| American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists | | | | than a grapefruit. So I don't regret the surgery, but I'd |
| (ACOG) they occur in 25-50% of all women. Many | | | | rather not repeat it, if I can avoid it. |
| women with them may not be aware of them, | | | | From what I've read so far regarding yoga and |
| because they stay small and don't cause any pain or | | | | fibroids, the first and foremost recommendation is that |
| other symptoms. For others however, fibroids grow to | | | | women with fibroids should not practice physical |
| be quite large and can be painful or problematic. | | | | asanas during the menstrual period, as it provides |
| In my case, I had one large fibroid that we thought was | | | | more blood to the uterus and can make the fibroids |
| at least peach-sized. Knowing that it was my intention | | | | grow. At other times, supported poses and gentle |
| to start a family, my doctor suggested that it might be | | | | twists, similar to those recommended for prenatal |
| best to get that out of the way. Since fibroids are fed | | | | yoga practice, can be good for alleviating pain and |
| by blood and hormones, they grow during the course | | | | other symptoms. Like other health challenges, a healthy |
| of a pregnancy. They can cause complications, | | | | diet and lifestyle is recommended to avoid or alleviate |
| increasing the risk of miscarriage, preterm birth or | | | | the growth of fibroids. But that answer seems too |
| breech birth. I wasn't anxious to experience my first | | | | generic, leaving me asking what more can I do to |
| surgery, and my doctor made me aware of several | | | | avoid more problems with fibroids and cysts in the |
| options. There are hormone therapies that aim to | | | | future? |