A Natural Treatment for Uterine Fibroids on the Horizon?

Almost one in three women will deal with a uterine fibroid at some point in her lifetime. These benign tumors of the uterus can become so large that they require surgery to relieve the heavy menstrual bleeding, frequent urination, and backache they cause - an event few women look forward to. Fortunately, new research in mice shows there may be a natural treatment for uterine fibroids on the horizon - and it may be as close as your tea cup.

Green Tea to Treat Uterine Fibroids?

A study conducted on mice showed that a green tea extract containing EGCG slowed down the growth of fibroid tumors in mice. Twenty mice were injected with uterine fibroid cells that were destined to grow into fibroid tumors. Half of the mice were given EGCG, a polyphenol found in green tea, in their water, while the other half drank only plain water.

The results? The mice that drank the EGCG water had tumors that were smaller and weighed less. One mice had no tumor at the end of a two month period. Because EGCG slowed down the growth of uterine fibroids in mice, researchers are hoping that giving EGCG or a green tea extract might also slow down their growth in women so they dont become large enough to require surgery. If these studies are confirmed in humans, EGCG from green tea could be a natural treatment for fibroids - one that could slow down or stop their progression.

Benign Tumors of the Uterus: Can Green Tea Prevent Them?

Can drinking green tea or taking a green tea extract be used to prevent fibroid tumors of the uterus? Once further studies confirm that EGCG slows down the growth of uterine fibroids in humans, researchers may want to know if drinking green tea can stop these tumors from occurring in the first place. Studies have shown that green tea lowers estrogen levels. Estrogen is the fuel that stimulates the growth of these benign tumors of the uterus, so its not surprising that drinking green tea could offer some protection.

It may be too soon to use green tea to treat uterine fibroids, but, if these studies are confirmed it may spur the development of a safe and natural treatment for uterine fibroids that doesnt require going under the knife.

References:

http://women.webmd.com/news/20100126/green-tea-extract-may-treat-uterine-fibroids?src=RSS_PUBLIC