Fibroids, Blood Clots & Bio-Identical Progesterone
Did you know that blood clots are not always due to your fibroids?
Isn’t that crazy?
As I enter peri-menopause, I have had the lovely experience of extreme blood clots.
So much so that I couldn’t even stand up at times.
I lost so much blood that I was eating grass-fed burgers 2-3x a week.
My iron was so low -my vision went.
And, as a widow caring for twin ten-year-olds, I was petrified.
The simple answer would be to have a hysterectomy or take the pill.
But, if you haven’t noticed… I’m pretty stubborn and adamant about getting to the root cause of our symptoms - rather than surgery or covering them up!
In this post, we’ll cover how to reduce blood clots naturally so you can avoid surgery and feel amazing again.
First up. Do you have fibroids?
Fibroid Symptoms
Heavy bleeding during your period, sometimes with blood clots.
Periods that may last longer than normal.
Feel the need to urinate more often.
Pelvic cramping or pain with periods.
You are feeling fullness or pressure in your lower belly.
Pain during intercourse.
Fibroid Treatment
Diet and focusing on reducing sugar and constipation will serve your health for years to come.
The truth is, if the fibroid is really big and putting pressure on your organs, it’s impossible to shrink.
If they are a manageable size, follow these steps
Diet for Fibroids
Stop drinking coffee without food. This was my #1 mistake<<< This one action affects your hormones each day.
Choose green tea over coffee and maybe espresso with almond milk instead of coffee and cream.
Make going #2 to your goal.
Reduce constipation as much as you can.
Start the day with fruit and water - maybe a little ginger or peppermint tea.
Consume a high-fiber diet.
Avoid ALL dairy, especially if you’re constipated.
Stop drinking alcohol, as this causes you to crave sweets, which can increase fibroids.
Tea for Fibroids
Drink teas of
Yellow dock root to reduce constipation, eliminate parasites, and worms
Burdock root is a prebiotic that aids digestion and supports the liver
Chamomile, Peppermint, and Ginger to move things along
Dandelion leaf supports the liver, decreases bloating, and reduces constipation
Constipation & Fibroids
Your #1 goal is to move your bowels.
Keep in mind that you may also have a rectocele due to your pregnancies and constipation. {The Vagina Coach has amazing information to see how you can heal/maintain this without surgery}
This means that even the perfect diet will cause discomfort when you’re going to the bathroom.
Consider the squatty potty or lifting your feet when going
Go when you get the urge
Use a glycerine suppository when needed
Use pelvic floor therapy techniques, like pushing on the perineum to help you go, or use pressure inside your vagina against your back wall to assist
Eat a high-fiber food; consider adding a little wheat if you’ve been gluten-free and do not have celiac disease
Add soaked whole grains to your diet if you’ve taken them out
Read more about constipation relief here: https://www.taragregorio.com/blog/10-ways-to-reduce-constipation
See all the products to support you here: https://kit.co/tarajgregorio/postpartum-constipation-free-remedies
“Due to living in mold, my fibroids tripled in size over one year!! Tripled. ”
With that said, the pressure was so great. I chose to have a robotic myomectomy.
I was so scared.
Five months later, the pressure and pain were gone, so I was satisfied that I had the surgery.
But the blood clots were worse!!
Blood Clot Symptoms
Blood clots range in size from a penny to a quarter to a clementine size!
When you enter peri-menopause, they can fall out of you when you stand up.
Small blood clots passed during your period are not a huge deal, but I would say it’s a symptom to start to take action.
Consider reducing your estrogen load with diet and supplements and adding bio-identical progesterone.
Palm-Sized Blood Clots During Your Period
Who knew this was possible?
This is a sign of low progesterone!
And if you’re losing this much blood, you probably have anemia as well.
Sign of Low Iron
Your face is pale or yellowish
You’re exhausted
You’re weak
You’re having difficulty breathing - possibly happens the week before your period only
You have a rapid heartbeat
Pounding or whooshing in the ear
“Have your iron levels checked, then take an iron supplement WITH vitamin C {to reduce constipation} and boost your iron levels. ”
If you ask your doctor for bio-identical progesterone, they may prescribe progestin.
Read that again.
It’s a three-letter difference.
I asked my OBGYN and he prescribed Norethindrone. This is a progestin, not a progesterone.
This prescription left me with severe leg cramps that would not quit. It was very uncomfortable.
If you have blood clots and low progesterone, you want a bio-identical progesterone from a compounding pharmacy. But, it’s hard to find a doctor to prescribe this.
Signs of low progesterone
No ovulation, irregular cycle
Heavy periods
long menstrual cycles (>35 days)
short luteal phase {ovulation to menstruation <12 days}
anxiety, depression - possibly just the week before your period
PMS/PMDD
constipation
cyclic breast pain
Low basal temperature in the luteal phase
endometriosis
fertility problems
insomnia
irregular menstrual cycle
Irritability
low libido
miscarriages
spotting in the second half of your cycle
What do you do when your progesterone is low?
Diet is always first.
Skip the coffee on an empty stomach, reduce your sugar intake, and focus on whole foods and grains.
Consider a Dutch Hormone test to learn if you do in fact, have low progesterone.
What is bio-identical progesterone?
Bio-identical progesterone is a topical cream you apply on days 14-28 on your body; typically in between your knees, elbows, or even breasts. It’s made from wild yams.
How does it work?
Known as the Marker degradation:
Read about it HERE
How do you apply bio-identical progesterone?
I’ve found applying it topically from Day 14-28 of your cycle, at night, less than 1 ml has reduced and eliminated my blood clots so there is no need for a hysterectomy.
Of course, always ask your doctor and listen to your body.
After 3 months, I’ve reduced the amount I applied, and the blood clots are gone.
What’s the difference between progestin and bio-identical progesterone?
Conclusion
Your body knows how to heal. When you change your diet, add the right supplements, and opt for natural remedies, you always come out ahead. It takes time, patience, and a change of habits, like reducing alcohol, coffee, and stress, to heal your body.
As you enter peri-menopause, you’ll want to make significant changes in your diet and lifestyle. Drinking wine to relax seems like a good idea, but it can lead to a sleepless night, anger, blood clots, and craving sugar and coffee the next day.
The number of hysterectomies performed yearly due to blood clots and fibroids is rising. It’s not an easy fix. This creates new pelvic floor problems and symptoms. Changing your diet and lifestyle is always a good first step; for example, reducing and eliminating dairy could be the number one change you’d make when it comes to reducing fibroids.
xo
Tara
Read more
https://www.taragregorio.com/blog/blood-clots-fibroids-and-bio-identical-progesterone
https://www.taragregorio.com/blog/how-to-detect-mold-toxicity-in-your-body-and-home
References:
R. E. MARKER, T. TSUKAMOTO, D. L. TURNER (PENNSYLVANIA STATE COLLEGE, USA AND KANAZAWA UNIVERSITY, JAPAN)
Sterols. C. Diosgenin J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1940, 62, 2525–2532, DOI: 10.1021/ja01866a072.
