The Evolving Role of Natural Compounds in the Medical Treatment of Uterine Fibroids

Uterine fibroids (UFs) remain a significant health issue for many women, with a disproportionate impact on women of color, likely due to both genetic and environmental factors. The prevalence of UFs is estimated to be approximately 70% depending on population. UF-derived clinical symptoms include pe...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of clinical medicine 2020-05, Vol.9 (5), p.1479
Main Authors: Ciebiera, Michał, Ali, Mohamed, Prince, Lillian, Jackson-Bey, Tia, Atabiekov, Ihor, Zgliczyński, Stanisław, Al-Hendy, Ayman
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biology
Clinical medicine
Cytokines
Estrogens
Fibroids
Gene expression
Growth factors
Hormones
Hysterectomy
Immunology
Infertility
Kinases
Laboratories
Mutation
Ovaries
Pathogenesis
Proteins
Review
Stem cells
Steroids
Tumorigenesis
Tumors
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Uterine fibroids (UFs) remain a significant health issue for many women, with a disproportionate impact on women of color, likely due to both genetic and environmental factors. The prevalence of UFs is estimated to be approximately 70% depending on population. UF-derived clinical symptoms include pelvic pain, excessive uterine bleeding, gastrointestinal and voiding problems, as well as impaired fertility. Nowadays numerous methods of UF treatment are available-from conservative treatment to invasive surgeries. Selecting an appropriate treatment option should be individualized and adjusted to the patient's expectations as much as possible. So far, the mainstay of treatment is surgery, but their negative impact of future fertility is clear. On the other hand, emerging new pharmaceutical options have significant adverse effects like liver function impairment, hot flashes, bone density loss, endometrial changes, and inability to attempt conception during treatment. Several natural compounds are found to help treat UFs and relieve their symptoms. In this review we summarize all the current available data about natural compounds that may be beneficial for patients with UFs, especially those who want to preserve their future fertility or have treatment while actively pursuing conception. Vitamin D, epigallocatechin gallate, berberine, curcumin, and others are being used as alternative UF treatments. Moreover, we propose the concept of using combined therapies of natural compounds on their own or combined with hormonal agents to manage UFs. There is a strong need for more human clinical trials involving these compounds before promoting widespread usage.
ISSN:2077-0383
2077-0383
DOI:10.3390/jcm9051479