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Top Natural Remedies for Uterine Fibroids

Written by Institute for Natural Medicine Staff

Medically Reviewed by Sarah Daglis, ND, MS

Published January 28, 2025
Last Updated January 28, 2025

Fibroids (also called leiomyomas) are non-cancerous growths on the uterus wall. Common among women in their 40s and 50s, uterine fibroids are also the most prevalent type of benign tumor in women of reproductive age.¹

Uterine fibroids don’t always cause symptoms, and not everyone needs treatment. However, as conventional treatments may involve medications to shrink the fibroids or—in some severe cases—surgery to remove them altogether, many women are choosing more natural, less invasive options.

What causes uterine fibroids?

Although fibroids don’t have one clear cause, several factors may increase the risk²:

Age (older women are more susceptible)
Obesity
Family history of uterine fibroids
High blood pressure
No previous pregnancies
Vitamin D deficiency
Consuming food additives²
Drinking soy milk²^,³

Heavy metals, endocrine-disrupting chemicals, smoking, and a low-fiber, low-antioxidant diet are also linked to uterine fibroids.⁴

Researchers have linked higher toxic exposure among Black women to increased rates of fibroids and more severe symptoms.⁵ This exposure includes chemicals like phthalates⁶ found in hair straighteners, as well as pollutants in the air. Compounding these risks are the health impacts of systemic racism, chronic stress, and income inequality—a phenomenon often referred to as “weathering.”

Black women with fibroids also experience worse clinical and surgical outcomes than white women due to inadequate health care (including access to highly skilled gynecologic surgeons) and discriminatory treatment.⁵

What symptoms come with fibroids?

Fibroid symptoms can often go unnoticed. Many women are surprised to discover they have fibroids, as these growths are typically detected during a routine gynecological exam or imaging like an X-ray. However, fibroids might be present—or actively growing—if you’ve experienced any of these four concerns:

Heavy menstrual bleeding: Heavy or painful periods, bleeding between periods, or anemia (insufficient red blood cells usually leading to low iron levels)
Pain or discomfort: A feeling of “fullness” in the belly, pelvic pain or pressure, intense or increased cramping, pain during sex, lower back pain, and frequent urination (caused by a fibroid pressing on the bladder)
Reproductive problems: Infertility, multiple miscarriages, or preterm labor⁷
Obstetrical complications: Increased likelihood of C–section⁷

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How to treat uterine fibroids

If you have larger fibroids or experience heavy bleeding and are approaching or past menopause, a hysterectomy—surgery to remove part or all of the uterus—may be recommended.

For less severe cases, medications such as birth control or hormone therapy might be suggested to shrink fibroids.⁸^,⁹ Although pain relievers, birth control, and other hormone regulators can relieve symptoms, they do not cure fibroids. Additionally, some medicines have significant side effects.

Other treatment options include minimally invasive procedures and surgeries. These may involve a high-intensity ultrasound to destroy fibroids, surgical removal of fibroids, blocking their blood supply, or endometrial ablation, which destroys the lining of the uterus. Some of these treatments may affect fertility.¹⁰

Natural options

Complementary and alternative medicine combine healing foods, herbal supplements, and vitamins to help prevent or treat fibroids and slow their growth.

Diet: the foundation of fibroid prevention

Red, yellow, and green tomato on marble table

Apples, cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cabbage), and lycopene-rich foods (such as tomatoes) can significantly lower the risk of fibroids. Incorporating fiber-rich foods and whole grains will support digestion, helping to prevent straining during bowel movements. Trace elements like selenium offer anti-inflammatory and antioxidative benefits supporting uterine health.⁴

Adding yogurt and calcium-rich dairy to your diet can improve gut microbiota and reduce fibroid risk. These foods support healthy gut bacteria, provide essential nutrients, and combat inflammation. Probiotic and prebiotic supplements—designed to promote and nourish good bacteria—reduce oxidative stress and improve overall gut health.⁴

Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is a versatile spice that can be used as seasoning (try adding it to rice dishes for a warm, golden color and earthy flavor) or taken as a supplement. A staple in traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurveda for centuries, turmeric is known for its ability to alleviate uterine fibroid symptoms. Research highlights the power of its active ingredient, curcumin, which boasts potent antioxidant properties that protect the uterus and shrink fibroids. One study found that six months of curcumin treatment significantly reduced fibroid size and activity.¹¹

Green tea has been shown to reduce tumor size, minimize symptoms, and decrease blood loss. Whether sipped as tea or consumed as a supplement (in the form of epigallocatechin gallate, or EGCG), green tea’s protective effects on the uterus make it a promising natural remedy.¹¹

Vitamin D is particularly beneficial in preventing and managing uterine fibroids. Up to 50 percent of people with uterine fibroids may have a vitamin D deficiency. Low levels of vitamin D3 are linked to fibroid growth, increased inflammation, and even DNA damage. Oily fish like salmon and mackerel, fish liver oils, and supplements have high amounts of vitamin D.⁴

Vitamin A derivatives: Carotenoids and retinoids—both forms of vitamin A—can help reduce fibroids in size and number. Tomatoes, sweet potatoes, and carrots have carotenoids, while tomatoes and tomato-based products contain lycopene.⁴

At-home strategies to ease fibroid symptoms

Woman places heating pad on lower abdomen in bed

Acupuncture is a safe and effective option for managing uterine fibroids. Research shows that both electroacupuncture and traditional acupuncture can significantly shrink fibroids within three months of treatment—outperforming some conventional therapies.¹²

There are also multiple ways to alleviate pain and manage symptoms at home:

Apply heat. Use a heating pad on your lower abdomen or soak in a warm bath. Heat improves blood flow, relaxes muscles, and provides soothing relief from discomfort.
Prioritize rest. Lie on your back with a pillow under your knees or on your side in a fetal position. Both positions ease pressure on the lower back.
Stay active. Regular exercise boosts circulation and triggers the release of endorphins, your body’s natural painkillers. Even light activities like walking or stretching can make a difference.
Practice relaxation techniques. Manage pain and stress with deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation (starting from your head and moving down your body), yoga, or positive visualizations. These techniques help calm both the body and mind.

Footnotes

1
Nieh C, Mabila SL. Incidence and health care burden of uterine fibroids among female service members in the active component of the U.S. armed forces, 2011-2022. MSMR. 2024 Feb 20;31(2):9-15.
2
Yang Q, Ciebiera M, Bariani MV, et al. Comprehensive review of uterine fibroids: developmental origin, pathogenesis, and treatment. Endocr Rev. 2022 Jul 13;43(4):678-719. https://doi.org/10.1210/endrev/bnab039
3
Krzyżanowski J, Paszkowski T, Woźniak S. The role of nutrition in pathogenesis of uterine fibroids. Nutrients. 2023 Dec 1;15(23):4984. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15234984
4
Szydłowska I, Nawrocka-Rutkowska J, Brodowska A, Marciniak A, Starczewski A, Szczuko M. Dietary natural compounds and vitamins as potential cofactors in uterine fibroids growth and development. Nutrients. 2022;14(4):734. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14040734
5
Katon JG, Plowden TC, Marsh EE. Racial disparities in uterine fibroids and endometriosis: a systematic review and application of social, structural, and political context. Fertil Steril. 2023;119(3):355-363. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2023.01.022
6
Zhang H, Zhou H, Chen X, Guo H, Lin Q, Chen X. Phthalate exposure as a hidden risk factor for uterine leiomyoma in adult women: accumulated evidence from observational studies. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. 2024;285:117069. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.117069
7
Lee HJ, Norwitz ER, Shaw J. Contemporary management of fibroids in pregnancy. Rev Obstet Gynecol. 2010 Winter;3(1):20-7.
8
Hoffman SR, Smith JS, Funk MJ, et al. Combined oral contraceptive utilization and uterine fibroid incidence: A prospective study in a cohort of African-American women. PLoS One. 2024 May 23;19(5):e0303823. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0303823
9
Yang CH, Lee JN, Hsu SC, Kuo CH, Tsai EM. Effect of hormone replacement therapy on uterine fibroids in postmenopausal women—a 3-year study. Maturitas. 2002 Sep 30;43(1):35-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0378-5122(02)00159-7
10
Cianci S, Gulino FA, Palmara V, et al. Exploring surgical strategies for uterine fibroid treatment: a comprehensive review of literature on open and minimally invasive approaches. Medicina (Kaunas). 2023 Dec 28;60(1):64. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina60010064
11
Arip M, Yap VL, Rajagopal M, Selvaraja M, Dharmendra K, Chinnapan S. Evidence-based management of uterine fibroids with botanical drugs—a review. Front Pharmacol. 2022;13:878407. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2022.878407
12
Ren Y, Zhang J, Wu W, et al. Should acupuncture become a complementary therapy in the treatment of uterine fibroid: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Front Med (Lausanne). 2023;10:1268220. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2023.1268220

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In this article:

What causes uterine fibroids?

What symptoms come with fibroids?