The Elix Guide to Uterine Fibroids: Symptoms, Diagnosis & Natural Relief with Chinese Herbal Medicine

Uterine fibroids (also known as myomas or leiomyomas) are non-cancerous tumors that affect up to 26 million people in the U.S. They can cause heavy bleeding, pelvic pain, bloating, and fertility challenges—yet many people don’t know they have them. This guide explores everything you need to know about fibroids: common symptoms, diagnosis methods, root causes, and how to support fibroids naturally through lifestyle, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and personalized herbal remedies.

What Are Uterine Fibroids?

Uterine fibroids are benign (non-cancerous) tumors made of smooth muscle and fibrous tissue that grow in or around the uterus. They vary in size and can be as small as a pea or as large as a melon.

Although it's estimated that 26 million women in the U.S. have uterine fibroids, many aren’t aware due to minimal or no symptoms. Research shows up to 80% of Black women and 70% of white women will develop fibroids by age 50.

What Are the Symptoms of Uterine Fibroids?

Fibroids cause symptoms in 20-50% of those affected, when they do, they can severely impact quality of life.

Common Fibroid Symptoms Include:

• Heavy or prolonged periods
• Spotting or bleeding between cycles
• Intense cramping or pelvic pain
• Bloating or abdominal swelling
• Pain during sex
• Frequent urination or incomplete bladder emptying
• Fatigue or anemia (low red blood cell count)
• Constipation or difficulty with bowel movements
• Abdominal protrusion (looking pregnant)

In rare cases, fibroids can become twisted or infected and may require immediate medical care.

How Are Uterine Fibroids Diagnosed?

If you're dealing with symptoms like heavy periods or pelvic pressure, your provider may start with a menstrual and medical history review. If fibroids are suspected, a pelvic ultrasound—quick and non-invasive—is typically used to confirm the diagnosis and guide next steps.

Common Diagnostic Tools Include:

• Pelvic or transvaginal ultrasound
• MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
• CT Scan
• Hysteroscopy – camera inserted into uterus through cervix
• Sonohysterography – uses saline to enhance ultrasound imaging
• Laparoscopy – minimally invasive camera procedure through the abdomen

If you are experiencing mild or no symptoms, you and your doctor might choose to leave your fibroids untreated. However, if you are experiencing painful or uncomfortable symptoms that are affecting your quality of life, there are a variety of holistic support and treatment options available to you. 

Traditional Chinese Medicine & Fibroid Root Causes

Western medicine identifies the presence of fibroids, but TCM goes deeper to identify the root cause—your "pattern diagnosis"—which guides herbal and lifestyle treatments.

Common TCM Pattern Diagnoses for Fibroids

Blood Stasis: Blood isn't circulating properly, leading to accumulation and masses. This is the underlying, general pattern diagnosis for fibroids, which are then broken down into “sub-patterns” listed below. 

Qi Stagnation: Blocked energy (Qi) circulation that may cause:

• Irritability
• Irregular periods
• Headaches
• Abdominal distention/bloating 

Heat: Long-term stagnation can produce internal heat, aka inflammation:

• Irritability
• Constipation
• Thirst
• Heavy periods
• Frequent bleeding or short cycles

Cold: Cold slows circulation and can result in painful, clot-heavy periods:

• Pain that goes away with heat
• Dark clots
• Feeling cold/ colder during period
• Crampy, spastic pain
• Late cycles

Phlegm-Dampness: Poor digestion leads to fluid accumulation creating an environment for fibroid growth:

• Heaviness in abdomen/bloating 
• Chronic vaginal discharge
• Painful menses
• Weight gain
• Puffiness or edema
• Watery menstrual flow 

Qi & Blood Deficiency: Without adequate Qi or Blood, there is also inadequate circulation:

• Painful & heavy periods
• Scanty flow
• Irregular cycles
• Fatigue
• Dizziness
• Anxiety or depression  

Finding Your TCM Pattern Diagnosis

Determining your pattern is the first step toward personalized herbal care. Elix’s free online Health Assessment uses TCM principles to match you with your custom Cycle Balance formula for support with the common symptoms associated with fibroids.

>> Take Elix’s free Online Health Assessment to discover your pattern diagnosis << 

Holistic, Natural Support Options for Fibroids

1. Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy
Pelvic floor physical therapy can help relieve pain, pressure, and tension caused by fibroids—especially for those with chronic pelvic discomfort. It may also improve bladder and bowel function by strengthening core muscles and reducing inflammation in surrounding tissues. While it won’t shrink fibroids directly, it supports comfort and mobility.

2. Acupuncture
Used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), acupuncture helps improve circulation, reduce pain, and rebalance Qi (energy). For fibroids, it’s commonly used to support hormone regulation, ease cramping, and manage heavy bleeding. Acupuncture may also help reduce stress, which is linked to hormone imbalance.

3. Acupressure
Acupressure is a self-care version of acupuncture that stimulates healing points using gentle, sustained pressure. Try the following:

• Spleen 8: Helps relieve menstrual cramps
• Spleen 6: Benefits the uterus (caution with pregnancy)
• Liver 3 + Large Intestine 4: “The Four Gates”; keeps Qi flowing smoothly
• Spleen 10: Moves stagnant Blood

Using your fingers or a tool like Elix’s Acu-wand, apply firm, steady pressure for 1–2 minutes per point. 

4. Nutrition & Lifestyle Changes
Diet and movement can significantly impact fibroid symptoms. Anti-inflammatory foods (vegetables, fruits, whole grains) help balance hormones and reduce bloating. Limiting red meat, dairy, alcohol, and caffeine may reduce flare-ups. Movement supports circulation, digestion, and hormone detoxification.

5. Herbal Supplements
Chinese herbal medicine supports hormone regulation, reduces inflammation, and has been shown to reduce symptoms like cramping and heavy flow. Some of the organic herbs used in Elix’s personalized line of formulas - Cycle Balance - that target these specific concerns include:

• Angelica Sinensis (Dong Quai or Dang Gui): Balances hormones and reduces pain
• Poria: Eases bloating, supports relaxation, and reduces inflammation
• Moutan: Promotes healthy circulation and relieves severe menstrual cramps

Fibroid-Friendly Lifestyle Tips

Do More:

• Support digestion: Regular elimination helps detoxify excess hormones. Elix’s Herbal Digestif is a great digestive ally to have on hand. 
• Nourish your Liver: In TCM the Liver regulates Qi and hormone detox. Read our blog on Liver Qi Stagnation to learn more.
• Prioritize stress relief: Chronic stress can disrupt hormone balance. Elix’s Daily Harmony is a helpful herbal blend for anyone whose symptoms worsen with stress—it supports calm and balance in the face of everyday stressors.

Do Less:

• Reduce sedentary habits: Aim to intentionally move your body at least 20-30 minutes everyday. Replace scrolling with “exercise snacks”- do some quick jumping jacks, jog in place, or pop some squats instead!
• Limit sugar and processed snacks: These can worsen inflammation and hormone imbalance.
• Skip alcohol when possible: Alcohol may worsen fibroid symptoms. Try Elix’s Yin Time to wind down—97% of users reported feeling more relaxed within an hour.

Conventional Treatment Options for Fibroids

1. Minimally Invasive Surgery
Myomectomy, or surgical removal of fibroids, is a common option for symptom relief and fertility preservation. If fibroids are located inside the uterine cavity, a hysteroscopic myomectomy is performed using a small camera through the cervix—no incisions required, and recovery is typically fast. For fibroids on the outer uterus, an abdominal myomectomy may be done via traditional or laparoscopic incisions. Recovery varies based on incision size and fibroid location, but both are safe for those wanting to become pregnant.

2. Fibroid Ablation
For those not trying to conceive, fibroid ablation is a non-surgical option. This involves blocking blood flow to fibroids, causing them to shrink by 30–60%. Methods include:

• Uterine artery embolization: A radiologist inserts a catheter into blood vessels near the groin to block fibroid blood supply
• Sonographic-guided ablation: Uses internal ultrasound to locate and shrink fibroids with heat energy
• High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU): Uses MRI and focused ultrasound waves to precisely target and shrink fibroids with no incisions

Speak to your provider to determine which method best fits your goals, symptoms, and fertility considerations.

How to Advocate for Yourself in the Doctor’s Office

Know Your Symptoms:
Track how fibroids affect your daily life—bleeding, pain, digestion, energy, and mood.

Use Empowered Language & Ask Questions:
Instead of “What do you recommend?” try:

• “Can you walk me through all my options—not just surgery or birth control?”
• “How will this affect my hormones, fertility, or long-term health?”
• “What are the risks and benefits of doing nothing right now?”

Be Clear About Your Priorities:
Let your doctor know what matters to you:

• “I want to preserve my fertility.”
• “I want non-hormonal options.”
• “I want to avoid surgery if possible.”

Know Your Rights:
You don’t have to consent to treatment on the spot. You deserve respect, compassion, and a second opinion if needed.

Bring Support:
Have someone you trust come with you to help take notes, ask questions, or simply advocate for your needs.

Trust Your Intuition:
You know your body best. If you feel unheard, it’s okay to seek a provider who aligns with your values.

Additional Resources

If you’re navigating fibroid symptoms, staying informed is key. Every case is different—and having the right care team can make a big difference. That’s why Elix gives you access to our expert team of Chinese medicine doctors—book a consult to explore how Cycle Balance and personalized herbal care can support your fibroid symptoms. Reserve your consult here.

For Fibroid Education:
Office On Women's Health

For Menstrual Health Info:
Mayo Clinic

For Pelvic Floor Support:
Women’s Health Apta
Pelvic Rehab

For Lifestyle & Prevention Tips:

Empowering Strategies for Lifestyle Interventions, Diet Modifications, and Environmental Practices for Uterine Fibroid Prevention; Unveiling the LIFE UP Awareness 

Frequently Asked Questions About Uterine Fibroids

What are uterine fibroids?
Non-cancerous tumors that grow in or around the uterus and may cause bleeding, pain, and other symptoms.

How do I know if I have fibroids?
If you have symptoms like heavy periods, bloating, or pelvic pain, talk to your doctor about an ultrasound or other diagnostic tests.

Can fibroids go away on their own?
Some fibroids shrink after menopause, but many require monitoring or support through lifestyle, herbs, or medical intervention.

Can you treat fibroids naturally?
Yes. Herbal medicine, nutrition, and acupuncture may help relieve symptoms and rebalance the body according to TCM. 

How does Elix help with fibroids?
Elix offers a clinically backed organic herbal formula, Cycle Balance, customized to your root imbalance through Elix's free Online Health Assessment. 

Ready to Try a Natural, Personalized Approach?

Thousands in the Elix community have found relief from heavy periods, bloating, and pelvic pain with their personalized Cycle Balance formulas.

👉Take Elix’s Free Online Health Assessment to discover the best herbs for your fibroid symptoms 👈

Sources

• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537747/ 
• https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3874080/ 
• https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5051569/ 
• https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/uterine-fibroids/symptoms-causes/syc-20354288
• https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7478476/ 

This article was reviewed by Dr. Jessica Ritch.

Dr. Jessica Ritch is a board-certified and fellowship-trained minimally invasive gynecologist who specializes in the management of benign gynecologic conditions such as abnormal bleeding, pelvic pain, fibroids, endometriosis, and polycystic ovarian syndrome. She completed residency training in obstetrics and gynecology at Columbia University and fellowship training in minimally invasive gynecology at Vanderbilt University.