Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous growths which are quite common. It is estimated that nearly 2-40% of women have fibroids but not all have symptoms. Fibroids may cause symptoms when they become large and are often associated with heavy menstrual periods, pain and pressure in the lower abdomen. The treatment of fibroids has always been surgery. In some cases, the blood vessel supplying the fibroid can be blocked using a radiological procedure and the fibroid will shrink with time. Some hormonal drugs have also been used to shrink fibroids but do not always work.
Two Chinese herbs- huoxue Sanjie and Nona Roguy have been evaluated. Compared to established therapy these herbs did work in some women but the shrinkage of fibroids was mild. The fortunate thing was that the herbs were safe. So far there is no evidence to support or refute the use of these herbs for fibroids, if you want to try them, then there is nothing wrong. You need to take them for at least 6 months and get follow up ultrasound to determine if the fibroids are shrinking.
