Are There Vitamins to Shrink Fibroids?

If you hope to take vitamins to shrink fibroids, you may be interested in learning more about Vitamin D.  Now, as fibroid specialists in Atlanta, we’re committed to helping women battle fibroids without losing their uterus. And we do that by offering a minimally invasive treatment for fibroids called uterine fibroid embolization, or UFE.

At the same time, we know that you’ll want to thoroughly research all your treatment options. And that takes time, during which you may be facing disruptive symptoms such as heavy periods, painful sex, bloating and frequent urination. Now, you may think that’s just the price you have to pay to choose your best treatment option. But, in reality, there are lifestyle tools you can use to manage fibroid symptoms while you choose a more permanent treatment. Some have more research to back their effectiveness than others. But one of the ones we’re really excited about is Vitamin D supplementation. So let’s explore the connection between Vitamin D and fibroids, and see how this vitamin may shrink your non-cancerous uterine growths.

Can Vitamin D Stop Fibroid Growth?

Research suggests that Vitamin D may prevent fibroid growth. In fact, an early-stage study revealed that taking Vitamin D supplements could maintain the size of current fibroids, while also preventing new tumors from developing. And that was true for women with both Caucasian and African American heritage. (And that’s a big deal because, for reasons that aren’t entirely clear, African American women have an approximately 33% higher rate of fibroid development.)

Even more exciting? When the women stuck with Vitamin D supplementation over time, many experienced shrinking fibroids. Now, we know you’re wondering: how much of this vitamin should you take to shrink your fibroids?

Here’s what the science reveals. In a Fertility and Sterility journal study following 1610 African American women between the ages of 23 and 35, we learned the exact amount of Vitamin D to help you see results. At the start of the study, the women didn’t have existing fibroids. So, researchers gave some of the women a daily dose of a 25-or- 20-mg hydroxyvitamin D3. After 5 years, the women who took higher Vitamin D doses developed fibroids at an almost 10% lower rate.

Now, this news is clearly exciting. Especially since it’s yet another, less invasive alternative to treating fibroids with hysterectomy. However, it can only offer hope if women know they can choose less invasive fibroid treatments. And, all too often, they simply don’t hear about non-surgical treatments such as UFE.

Here at our Atlanta fibroid center, we want to help put an end to that information gap. For that reason, we like to share information on every kind of non-surgical fibroid treatment. And, whether that’s taking a closer look at the Uterine Fibroid Embolization process, or exploring the connection between Vitamin D and Fibroids, we’ll be sharing all the details that are currently available.

Vitamins to Shrink Fibroids: Will Vitamin D Really Shrink Your Tumors?

There’s clear science to support vitamin D’s ability to reduce your risk for developing fibroids. But where’s the evidence to prove that vitamin D shrink existing fibroids? Well, it’s right here!

In 2019, one trial followed 69 women with fibroids and deficient levels of Vitamin D. Researchers gave these women daily doses of Vitamin D, and soon discovered that their fibroids experienced significant reductions in size. In conclusion, the study’s authors decided that Vitamin D can effectively treat uterine fibroids.

Additional Vitamin D Benefits

Want even more reasons to take this vitamin to shrink fibroids? Vitamin D seems to boost immunity manage depression; or even help you lose weight. (In fact, this effect could further help manage fibroid symptoms, since reaching a healthy weight can help stop fibroid development.)

Ready to boost those Vitamin D levels? While the best natural source is exposure to the sun, going out in Atlanta without your sunscreen could cause more harm than good. As a result, adding a Vitamin D supplement may be a better choice, as long as you have cleared this supplementation with a licensed healthcare provider. While you’re at it? Take some time and research non-surgical treatments for uterine fibroids. To help you understand all your options, we invited you to schedule a UFE consultation with our interventional radiology team in Atlanta.