If you have fibroid symptoms, we know you're looking for ways to relieve fibroid pain. After all, once you've been diagnosed with fibroids, it can take time for you to decide on the best course of treatment. But, during that time, you may still be experiencing symptoms like pelvic pain, heavy periods, constipation, frequent urination or painful sex. So, if you need to find some fibroid pain relief while determining the next steps in your treatment plan, try any or all of these tips to help find some medical or natural forms of relief from fibroid symptoms.
Some women are able to relieve their fibroid pain with non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs). And these are available over the counter. To get the most benefit out of this option, try tracking your pain each month to detect when in your cycle it typically appears. Then, as long as your doctor has cleared you to take medication, try getting your dose in just before you expect pain to develop.
The also approved a new combination pill that drastically reduces heavy periods caused by fibroids. Called relugolix, the drug combines estrogen and progestin. And, in studies conducted by manufacturer Myovant Sciences, the combo pill effectively reduced heavy menstrual bleeding.
For the study, researchers recruited 770 women with fibroids and heavy periods. Each woman was randomly assigned to take the drug or a placebo. Every day, for six months. Then, at the end of the trial, over 70% of the women taking relugolix saw dramatic bleeding reductions. And, unlike other fibroid drugs, relugolix didn't lower women's bone density. Then, in the follow-up SPIRIT extension study, researchers discovered that the pill reduced both dysmenorrhea (painful menstrual periods) and pelvic pain that isn't linked to the menstrual cycle, but these results were for women with endometriosis. But, since both women with fibroids and women with endometriosis experience heavy periods, the reduction in bleeding could be the biggest advantage. 3
Of course, that's a big plus for women who worry about osteoperosis. Still, the pill blocks hormonal production, meaning you'll have to go off your medication in order to get pregnant. Also, because these fibroid drugs can impact other areas of health, they aren't meant to be long-term treatments. And that's why women may prefer non-pharmacologic ways to relieve fibroid pain.
1. Put aside the processed foods. We know how much you love your oreos, twinkies and other packaged goodies, but here’s the deal: these processed foods are full of chemicals that can increase inflammation in the body. And inflammation can trigger more pain and a worsening of your existing symptoms.
2. Same goes for refined sugar. Refined sugars—the ones like sucrose and high-fructose corn syrup that are added to food items like cookies, cakes and cereals—promote inflammation and weight gain. We’ve already touched on the dangers of inflammation, but weight gain may actually be a bigger problem when it comes to fibroids, as extra pounds can lead to hormonal imbalances, and both of those conditions increase your fibroid risk.
3. Ditch the alcohol. Like our previous two offenders, alcohol can lead to inflammation and weight gain. Putting down the spirits may help prevent your existing fibroids from expanding, and may help protect you from the development of new tumors.
4. Grab those leafy greens. When you have fibroids, spinach and lettuce should be your new best friends. Their anti-inflammatory powers can really help keep the growth and symptoms of these non-cancerous tumors in check.
5. Add some crunchy veggies, too. Foods like broccoli and cauliflower have been shown to help prevent fibroids from developing.
6. Break a sweat. Exercise can help tamp down inflammation in the body. It can also help with weight control and hormonal balance. Plus, it releases feel-good endorphins that can make it easier to cope with painful fibroid symptoms. And the workouts don't have to be intense: yoga is a great option, since certain poses are designed to relieve many forms of fibroid pain.
7. Try a heating pad. If your fibroids cause period cramps or back pain, applying a heating pad to the areas of discomfort can significantly reduce the intensity of your discomfort, according to this study.
Remember, none of these options will treat your fibroids. Because all they can do is target your fibroid symptoms. So, if you want to say goodbye to fibroids, you'll need to seek treatment that targets the actual growths. And, here at Houston Fibroids, we invite you to click here to request an appointment. Together, we can review all your treatment options, and help decide if Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE) is right for you!
Sources: New England Journal of Medicine
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