'Alternative' Remedies

Alternative remedies are generally used to treat the physical symptoms (such as abnormal bleeding, urinary incontinence, pain, and constipation) often caused by uterine fibroids. None seem to be absolute cures in treating the symptoms as they do not treat the fibroids themselves.

There is absolutely no documented evidence that any of these treatments are "cures" for uterine fibroids.

Nonetheless, depending on the individual, any one of the following solutions may bring some relief from the symptoms you may be experiencing as a result of your fibroids. In a sense, when symptoms are resolved most women feel "cured" and find no need to take additional action with their uterine fibroids.

Changing your diet. There is some research indicating an increased association of symptomatic fibroids with red meat and pork consumption and many women report symptom relief by becoming vegetarian.
Castor oil packs. Messy. Time consuming. Used for thousands of years throughout the world for a wide variety of ailments. No hard research to substantiate any benefit in symptom relief but many women do report a significant reduction in stress as a result of using these packs.
Nutritional supplements (Vitamins A, B-complex, C, K and Bioflavonoids)
Botannical herbs (Chaste tree, ginger, cranesbill, Shepherd's purse, ragwort, blue cohosh, false unicorn)

While it may be tempting to simply experiment with the wide variety of vitamin supplements and herbs that are available on the marketplace, most women who do so are typically frustrated and dissatisfied with the results. You probably wouldn't dream of mixing and matching prescription drugs at random in an effort to self treat a medical condition -- it doesn't make sense to mix and match vitamins and herbs without proper guidance either.

Self-treatment with natural remedies, particularly nutritional supplements and botannical herbs, without the advice and guidance of a Naturopathic Physician is not recommended by me or any physician -- naturopathic or traditional -- that I know. If you choose to try any of these remedies, please oh please consult a licensed naturopathic physician first. Also, don't forget to take a COMPLETE list of all prescription and over-the-counter medications and supplements you currently use with you to your appointment. Herbs and nutritional supplements can and do interfere with the effectiveness of many medications and can even create new problems where none existed previously.

Link	Site Name/Author	What You'll Find
nccam.nih.gov	National Institute of Health	The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) conducts and supports basic and applied research and training and disseminates information on complementary and alternative medicine to practitioners and the public. Fact sheets, consensus reports (check out the one on Acupuncture), database access and publications all available from this website.
www.acam.org/	American College for Advancement in Medicine	Non-profit medical society dedicated to educating physicians on the latest findings and emerging procedures in complementary/alternative medicine
www.wellweb.com/ALTERN/ alternativecomplementary_medicine.htm	Wellness Web Naturopathic Medicine Center Director: Dr. Bradley Bongiovanni Cancer Center Director: Dr. Y. Evan Gold	Alternative/Complementary Medicine. Latest news releases and information on alternative medicines.
www.ivu.org/	International Vegetarian Union	Vegetarianism around the world. Incredible database of vegetarian recipes--possibly the largest on the internet!
www.javanet.com/~cabbidge/	Mary L. Cupp	My ordeal as a patient of Dr. Christiane Northrup M.D. Story of Mary's walk down the path of holistic medicine and her ultimate hysterectomy as a patient of Dr. Northrup.
www.naturopathic.org/ find_nd.htm	American Association of Naturopathic Physicians	Referral directory for Naturopathic Physicians.
www.migraineaway.com/ article_58289.htm	Vivekan Flint WebMD	How to Use Alternative and Complementary Medicine
healthyideas.com/healing/ oncall/980421.doc.html	Ask the Naturopath Tori Hudson, ND Women's Health Specialist	Are there any natural treatments for uterine fibroids?
www.cayce.com/castoroil.htm	Cayce.com	Castor Oil and Castor Oil Packs
www.lef.org/protocols/ prtcls-txt/t-prtcl-139.html	The Life Extension Foundation	Uterine Fibroids. Detailed explanation of hormonal influences.
www.quackwatch.com/ 04ConsumerEducation/ News/shark.html	Quackwatch	FDA and FTC Attack Shark Cartilage. Quackwatch lays it on the line with a thorough discussion of shark cartilage and the author William Lane of Sharks Don't Get Cancer fame.