Bleeding between menstrual periods? Ayurveda physician Dr Chethana shares herbs and therapies for uterine fibroids

Effective Ayurvedic herbs and therapies for managing uterine fibroids and alleviating symptoms like heavy bleeding and pelvic pain.

Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous growths that develop in the muscular wall of the uterus. They are made up of smooth muscle cells and fibrous connective tissue. They are also known as leiomyomas, myomas, or fibromyomas. Although fibroids are very common, nearly 75% of women do not experience any symptoms, and the condition is often discovered during a routine pelvic examination or ultrasound.

Changes in menstrual period: You need to visit your doctor if you notice drastic changes in the quantity, duration, flow, and the amount of pain during your menstrual cycle. (Shutterstock)

By Tavishi Dogra

Tavishi Dogra is a Deputy Chief Content Producer, Health & Wellness, at Hindustan Times. She has over 9 years of experience writing about fitness, nutrition, and mental well-being, translating medical research and expert insights into practical advice readers can trust.

Career journey and experience
Tavishi began her health journalism journey in 2017, and has since reported for RSTV, Financial Express, Jagran, HT Media Labs and Zee. She joined Hindustan Times to simplify wellness subjects by cutting through jargon.

From decoding health trends and interviewing doctors to testing fitness routines herself, Tavishi always approaches content with one filter: “Will this help someone make a better decision today?”

Subject expertise
With 9+ years tracking India’s health conversations, Tavishi knows the gap between clinical advice and daily life. She knows fads from fundamentals and curates science-backed, expert-recommended solutions.

In fitness, she breaks down bodyweight training, recovery, and posture fixes for desk-bound readers. In nutrition, she translates guidelines into affordable, desi meal tweaks. In mental well-being, she focuses on stigma-free, actionable tools — all backed by research, expert input, and lived context.

Education and professional background
Tavishi holds a Master’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication and began her career reporting on public affairs for broadcast. Those early years in policy and TV shaped how she writes today: fast, factual, and human-first.

Editorial Philosophy
I write with one single goal: To simplify health in a world full of noise by finding what’s actually doable, safe, and evidence-based for my readers. I test claims against research and user experiences. When all else fails, I speak to the expert who sees 50 patients a day, not the one with the most followers.

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What are the first signs of fibroids?

When symptoms do occur, they can vary in severity. They may include heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding, bleeding between periods, painful menstruation, pelvic pain or pressure, pain during sexual intercourse, and difficulty conceiving. “Fibroids are most commonly diagnosed in women during their reproductive years, with their occurrence increasing with age. The prevalence is estimated to range from 5% to 20%, depending on factors such as age, ethnicity, and diagnostic methods” Ayurveda Physician Dr Chethana G. Happiest Ayurveda tells Health Shots.

Common symptoms of uterine fibroids

Many women with uterine fibroids do not notice any symptoms, especially when the fibroids are small. However, larger or multiple fibroids can interfere with daily life and affect overall well-being.

Common symptoms may include:

1. Heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding
2. Bleeding between menstrual periods
3. Pelvic pain, pressure, or a feeling of heaviness
4. Pain during sexual intercourse
5. Abdominal bloating or a noticeable increase in abdominal size
6. Frequent urination or difficulty emptying the bladder
7. Lower back pain or pain that radiates to the legs
8. Constipation or other digestive discomfort
9. Fertility concerns, including difficulty conceiving or recurrent miscarriages

The type and severity of symptoms vary from person to person and often depend on the size, number, and location of the fibroids.

Ayurvedic medicines for fibroids

Ayurvedic medicine uses time-tested herbs that have traditionally been valued for supporting women's reproductive health. These herbs are selected according to an individual's body constitution and health condition. They are usually prescribed as powders, decoctions, tablets, or herbal formulations by a qualified Ayurvedic physician.

Some commonly used herbs include:

1. Ashoka: Traditionally used to support healthy menstrual cycles and maintain uterine health.
2. Lodhra: Known for promoting hormonal balance and supporting the normal function of reproductive tissues.
3. Shatavari: A well-known rejuvenating herb that nourishes the female reproductive system and supports hormonal well-being.
4. Kumari: Traditionally used to support digestion, gentle detoxification, and overall body balance.

Ayurvedic therapies

1. Detoxification (Panchakarma Therapy): Along with oral medicines, Ayurveda may recommend Panchakarma therapies to help cleanse the body and restore dosha balance. Panchakarma is a personalised detoxification programme that aims to remove accumulated toxins (Ama), improve circulation, strengthen digestion, and support the body's natural healing process.
2. Virechana (Therapeutic Purgation): A cleansing therapy that helps eliminate excess Pitta and toxins, supporting healthy inflammatory responses and menstrual balance.
3. Basti (Medicated Enema): Considered one of the most effective treatments for balancing Vata, particularly Apana Vata, which plays an important role in reproductive and pelvic health.
4. Uttara Basti: A specialised Ayurvedic procedure performed under the supervision of an experienced Ayurvedic physician to support uterine and reproductive health in carefully selected patients.

(Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.)