Uterus polyps, fibroids, masses
Fibroids are benign tumors found in the uterus. They can cause pain in the pelvis, abdominal swelling, abnormal uterine bleeding, frequent urination, constipation, lower back pain, increased risk of miscarriage and infertility.
Fibroids can form from several disharmonies.
Spleen deficiency
Yang deficiency
Dampness
Excess oestrogen
Kidney Yin deficiency
Spleen deficiency: I consistently discuss the importance of a healthy Spleen, but what does your Stomach have to do with fibroids? In TICM the Spleen governs Blood and holds it inside its proper vessels. When the Spleen is deficient in energy, Blood can leak from those vessels. Symptoms manifest like heavy/ prolonged period, black stool, vomiting of Blood or petechia, tiny purple, red, or brown spots that appear on the skin as the result of bleeding under the skin.
Dampness: occurs when the Spleen is unable to transform food into nutrients and vital energy (Qi). The remaining liquids and solids accumulate and form a sticky, swamp like environment that we refer to as dampness. This phlegm like accumulation is the substance that forms the tumor. The fibroid can sit inside or outside of the uterus.
Warm (Yang) deficiency: this is common in our modern life. When the digestion becomes cold, our internal sun, called Yang, can burn low. Yang is the substance we must always cherish and nurture for good health.
Overeating raw foods, over work, exposing parts of the body too much in the cold, especially exposing waist, knee, ankle and neck meridians can result in deficient Yang. Symptoms include cold hands/feet, aversion to cold particularly around the waist and back area, knee pain, fatigue, diarrhoea containing undigested food, frequent urination at night.
Excess oestrogen: in TICM the Liver controls the menstrual cycle because it stores Blood and processes all our hormones, including estrogen. When the Liver is overrun with toxins, unresolved emotions and stress, it is unable to regulate a smooth flow of all it controls, resulting in stagnation, emotional disharmonies and menstrual imbalances.