Hidden in her Uterus- A case of unapparent uterine fibroids.

A frightened and depressed lady walked into my consultation cabin and narrated her symptoms with no much clues about carrying around a cantaloupe sized tumor in her body.She was panic and said “I don’t need surgery , I want Ayurveda treatment”

A 39 year old lady, Mrs.P presented with Menorrhagia ( heavy bleeding during Menstruation) for about 6 months duration.

On examination uterus was enlarged equivalent to the size of 16 weeks pregnancy, ultrasound revealed multiple medium sized fibroids in uterus.

Fibroids are benign tumors of uterus arising from uterine smooth muscles. Their growth is fueled by estrogen making women in their reproductive years more prone to them.

40-50% of women live with fibroids, few women experience the symptoms which can include heavy menstrual bleeding, pelvic pressure, frequent urination and back pain.And few women never experience these symptoms but there were fibroids.

The type of fibroids too can influence symptoms. Different types of fibroids includes submucosal ( growth into the uterine cavity) , subserosal / pedunculated ( outside but connected to the uterus) . Even the location , size and number of fibroids can influence a woman’s symptoms.

While the exact cause is still unknown, there are number of ongoing researches investigating the underlying pathogenesis of these highly prevalent benign tumors linking the latter of high level of intrinsic aramatase activity , estrogen and progesterone receptors and genetic predisposition.

Researches also showes that women who are obese are more prone to develop fibroids.

Whenever she lied down she notice a bump on the right side of her stomach. She ignored for once assuming it was a food moving through her digestive system.

When she observed repeatedly she approached a modern gynecologist.With no other options they scheduled surgery and plan for 3 nights in hospital and 6 weeks of recovery.

Her thoughts were scattered- she thought of having second opinion with alternative medicines rather than having a surgery equivalent to cesarean section.

I explained her the possibilities, treatment modalities and long course of treatment.

Further I proceeded to take detail history of her mental status.

As many of the fibroid patients consulted me I have observed in many cases complaining of major stress along with their physical symptoms. Stress is a significant component of many recurrent and chronic health problems including fibroids.

My patient frequently tell me her bleeding and cramps are worse when she is more upset.

Women with fibroids have specific stress due to disease.The concern about not having good health increases stress and this may negatively affect hormonal balance and muscle tone , upsetting the estrogen and progesterone balance and triggering excessive output of adernal stress hormone.

In Ayurveda, human in entirety is considered as a body and mind complex which is dealt both from its minute level and gross level of existence.The subtle level consists of pancha mahaboota , tridosha , triguna and saptamahaboota. And in the gross level the cells , tissues , organs and the organ system constitutes the human body.

Effect of the change that take place in the minute level are reflected in the gross level.

Pathogenesis of tumors in Ayurveda is propounded as, when the abnormal state of tridoshas affects these tissues ( blood, muscles and fat) they get mixed with kapha dosha and produce rounded protuberant , knotty or glandular hard swelling called Granti. When it is present in Garbhashaya ( uterus) it leads to symptoms like Menorrhagia ( heavy bleeding), Dysmenorrhea ( painful mensturation) etc.

Based on these basic concepts , I chosen type of drug having hot , flatulence and scraping properties as well as hematonic and cooling property drugs in combination to anti-tumor medicines .

The following things brought great change in her mental status as well as in the size of fibroids.

– Prescribed medications: Haridra kandha and many more.

– Few sittings of counseling.

– Family support to have relaxed time.

– Ayurveda Panchakarma therapies like Anuvasana basti.

– Modified lifestyle.

As the size of the fibroids are reducing day by day. She is continuing the treatment with great faith.