Uterine fibroids (also called uterine leiomyomas) are extremely common. In fact, about 75 percent of women experience them at some point in their lives. Ranging in size from a few millimeters, or about the size of a pea, to the size of a grapefruit, fibroids are “the most frequent indication for major gynecologic surgery,

They’re non-cancerous tumors found within the uterine walls, often resulting in a change in the size or shape of the uterus as well as several unpleasant symptoms. Because they normally develop within the uterine wall, they are also called “uterine fibroids.”

While some women deal with pain, menstrual changes and other complications due to having fibroids, they can also be symptomless. Because it isn’t always obvious if you have fibroids, it’s a great idea for all women to take steps to naturally prevent these common uterine growths.

Some risk factors for fibroids are out of your control, but there are many you can manage. These includes things like eating higher-quality meat (especially beef), adding more detoxifying foods such as leafy green vegetables into your diet, and drinking less alcohol.

There are also a lot of steps you can take to help balance your hormones naturally, which is a key part of prevention and natural fibroid treatment.

8 Natural Treatments for Fibroids
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1. Avoid foods that make fibroids worse.
2. Eat foods that help relieve fibroids.
3. Try supplements that aid in fibroid reduction.
4. Turn to essential oils.
5. Sip on herbal teas.
6. Try castor oil packs.
7. Avoid exposure to environmental toxins.
8. Exercise.

Foods to eliminate or limit in order to reduce your risk include:
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• High-Fat, Processed Meats. High-fat, processed meats are some of the worst food choices for women when it comes to fibroids. Foods high in unhealthy fats, like non-organic/processed meats or trans-fats (think hamburgers and processed breakfast sausages), can increase inflammation levels.

• Conventional Dairy. Non-organic dairy can be high in steroids, hormones and other chemicals that may alter your hormones levels when eaten in high amounts, which encourages the development and growth of fibroids.

• Refined Sugar. Consuming a lot of refined sugar can promote inflammation and lead to weight gain. It may also increase pain and reduce immune function. T

• Refined Carbohydrates. Managing hormones not only involves the elimination of sugars from the diet, but also refined carbohydrates. Refined carbs — like products made with white, bleached flour — cause insulin levels to spike and hormones to become out of whack.

• Alcohol. Over-consuming alcohol can definitely contribute to increased inflammation throughout the body. It also reduces immune function; can promote weight gain; and encourages hormonal imbalances. By reducing or eliminating alcohol, you can help to get your hormones back on track and hopefully help shrink existing fibroids.

• Caffeine. Too much caffeine is taxing on your body, especially your liver. When you give your liver more work to do than it can handle, it isn’t going to do as good of a job at keeping your hormones in check. The more you can keep your alcohol and caffeine consumption down, the easier it is for your liver to detoxify your body and keep your hormones in proper, fibroid-discouraging balance.