Fibroids are benign tumors of the uterus and occur in 30%-50% of women. Many women are, however, asymptomatic but some fibroids may enlarge and cause symptoms, which include pain and discomfort, heavy periods, urinary frequency. Very rarely do fibroids become malignant.
Fibroids can be diagnosed by gynaecological examination, pelvic ultrasound or MRI scanning in order to ascertain the size and location of the fibroids. Fibroids are oestrogen-dependent. The treatment for removal of fibroids can be reduction to the blood supply of the fibroid or removal of the fibroid without hysterectomy, or hysterectomy.
Post-menopausally, when women’s oestrogen levels are very low, without HRT, the fibroid may well shrink in size. Another method potentially of reducing the size of a fibroid is to give a nutritional product called Diindolylmethane (DIM). The action of DIM is to convert the more potent 16-hydroxy oestrone to the weak 2-hydroxy oestrone. DIM is also useful in protecting breast tissue.