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Solutions to your tough problems: some women's health issues are difficult to treat. We found the natural answers you've been waiting for - Annual Women's Health Guide

Natural Health, Dec, 2002 by Julia Tolliver Maranan

WOMEN'S HEALTH AILments like endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, and uterine fibroids are notoriously difficult to treat. Yet these problems affect a surprisingly high number of women (see "Your Risk by the Numbers," next page). To help you understand and overcome these gynecological ailments, we talked to top women's health experts. They gave us natural remedies that can be used on their own or paired with conventional gynecological treatments. Discover the answers you need in this guide.

Benign Ovarian Cysts

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Every time you ovulate you form an ovarian cyst, a fluid-filled sac with an egg in it. After the egg is released the cyst usually goes away, but occasionally it persists--or continues to grow--and may cause lower abdominal pain. If you suspect you have a persistent cyst, get a pelvic exam or ultrasound to be sure. Then try any or all of these treatments. Work with your doctor while using them; she may want to monitor the size of your cyst. Ask your doctor for more help if your cyst persists after three months of trying these treatments.

Shrink Cysts with Nutrients. Antioxidants, which speed tissue repair in your ovaries, may encourage small cysts to disappear faster, says Tori Hudson, N.D., a Portland, Ore.-based naturopathic physician and author of Women's Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine (Keats, 1999). She recommends taking daily 50,000 IU of natural mixed carotenes, 2 g of vitamin C (this much vitamin C can cause diarrhea; reduce your dose if that occurs), 400 IU of natural vitamin E (d-alpha tocopherol), and 200 mcg of selenium until the cyst disappears (your doctor can confirm its disappearance).

Supplement to Ease Pain. These three remedies, taken together, can relieve inflammation and chronic pain within three weeks (and sometimes more quickly), says Hudson. Take 800 to 1,000 mg of quercetin daily, 1 to 2 g of ginger capsules (Zingiber officinale) two or three times daily, and 1/2 teaspoon of cramp bark liquid extract (Viburnum opulus) daily. For sharp pains, try taking 1/2 teaspoon of cramp bark every two to three hours, says Hudson. You should feel relief in a few hours.

Soothe Cysts with Castor Oil. Placing castor oil packs over your lower abdomen may shrink cysts that are smaller than 5 cm and can relieve pain caused by cysts, says Hudson. Holistic doctors have had success with this method for decades, although why it works is unknown. To make the pack, you need a 1 by 3-foot rectangle of cotton or wool flannel, castor oil, a plastic grocery bag, and a hot water bottle or heating pad. Soak the flannel in the oil, fold it in thirds so that it becomes a square, and place it directly on the skin of your lower abdomen. Cover the pack with the plastic bag, and place the heat source on top. Lie down with your pack in place for one hour three times a week. You can reuse the oil-soaked flannel. You should notice improvement in chronic pain within three months, at which point you can use the packs once a week until the cyst disappears.

Cervical Dysplasia

Cervical dysplasia is abnormal cervical cells diagnosed by a Pap smear. Risk factors include sexual activity, a viral infection, smoking, and low intake of fruit and vegetables. Doctors classify dysplasia as either low-grade (mildly abnormal cells) or high-grade (precancerous cells). Most of the time, symptoms are nonexistent. And most cases of mild dysplasia go away on their own. However, without treatment some strains may progress to cervical cancer in 10 to 15 years, says naturopath Hudson. If you're diagnosed with cervical dysplasia, discuss the following treatments with your doctor:

Include Healing Foods. Sometimes inflammation causes cells to appear abnormal on a Pap smear. You can help calm inflamed cells by eating healthy foods, says Tracy Gaudet, M.D., gynecologist and director of the Duke Center for Integrative Medicine in Durham, N.C. A healthy diet includes foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which reduce inflammation. Eat five 3-ounce servings a week of coldwater fish like herring, salmon, or sardines. Or sprinkle 2 tablespoons of ground flaxseeds on salads or vegetable dishes daily. And consume at least three servings a day of vibrantly colored fruit and vegetables--eat dark leafy greens like kale and spinach, or grapefruit and oranges. These foods are rich in beta carotene, folic acid, and vitamin C. Research has linked low levels of these nutrients to an increased incidence of cervical dysplasia.

Exercise to Boost Immunity. Moderate exercise, which bolsters immunity, helps your body heal inflamed cells, says Gaudet. She recommends walking 30 minutes a day three or four times a week.

Get Examined to Stay Healthy. Having frequent Pap smears is the best way to monitor whether your dysplasia is healing or growing worse. Ask your doctor how often you should get one; most doctors recommend having two to four a year if you have low-grade dysplasia.

Reverse Abnormalities with an Herbal Therapy. If you have high-grade dysplasia, speak to a naturopathic or holistic physician about possibly undergoing escharotic treatments, a procedure in which a doctor applies enzymes and herbal solutions to your cervix twice weekly for five weeks. Escharotic treatments can remove abnormal cells and reverse your condition without the scarring of healthy cells associated with conventional surgical treatments. (Escharotic means producing a dry scab.) Escharotic treatments cured two advanced cases of dysplasia, according to a study in the Journal of Naturopathic Medicine in 1993. (To locate a naturopathic or holistic physician to administer this treatment, see "Find the Right Doctor," page 68.)

Solutions to your tough problems: some women's health issues are difficult to treat. We found the natural answers you've been waiting for - Annual Women's Health Guide

Natural Health, Dec, 2002 by Julia Tolliver Maranan

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