Uterine fibroids are among the most common benign tumors in women. While surgery and hormonal therapy remain standard treatments, many women seek complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) such as acupuncture, herbal therapy, and lifestyle-based approaches for symptom relief and holistic health support. A 2016 review published in Current Obstetrics and Gynecology Reports explored the role of CAM in fibroid-related symptom management.

1. Why Women with Fibroids Seek CAM

• To avoid or postpone surgery
• Concerns about long-term hormonal side effects
• Persistent symptoms despite standard treatment
• Preference for natural or integrative care
• Presence of related conditions (obesity, chronic pain, stress, infertility)

The review emphasizes that direct evidence for CAM shrinking fibroids is limited, but CAM can still support overall wellbeing and symptom relief.

2. What Counts as CAM?

CAM is broadly defined, including:

• Herbal medicine & nutritional supplements
• Acupuncture & related techniques (e.g., auricular acupuncture)
• Mind–body therapies (meditation, yoga, relaxation)
• Dietary & lifestyle interventions
• Other traditional medical systems

3. Current Evidence: Limited but Meaningful

The review found that direct CAM research on fibroid shrinkage is scarce, with small sample sizes and methodological limitations. However, there is substantial indirect evidence from studies on:

• Obesity & metabolic syndrome
• Chronic inflammation & oxidative stress
• Cardiovascular health
• Stress & fertility

4. How Acupuncture May Help

Acupuncture appears promising in symptom management rather than demonstrated fibroid reduction. Potential mechanisms include:

• Modulating neuropeptides such as CGRP, which influences uterine contractility and vascular tone.
• Regulating autonomic balance and pelvic blood flow.
• Reducing chronic pelvic pain by lowering pain sensitivity and muscle tension.

5. CAM for Related Conditions

Since fibroid development is linked to systemic factors, CAM studies in the following areas are relevant:

• Weight control & insulin sensitivity
• Anti-inflammatory diet & cardiovascular support
• Stress reduction & reproductive health

6. Clinical Takeaways

• Ask patients whether they are using CAM
• Position CAM as adjunctive, not a replacement
• Set realistic expectations based on evidence levels
• Encourage interdisciplinary collaboration

7. Summary

While high-quality evidence is limited, CAM—especially acupuncture, nutrition, and mind–body practices—may support symptom relief and overall wellbeing for women with fibroids. Integrative care should prioritize patient-centered, safe, and collaborative approaches.

Reference: Dalton-Brewer N. (2016). PMCID: PMC4859848. Read full article

子宮肌瘤是育齡女性最常見的良性腫瘤之一。雖然手術與賀爾蒙治療仍為標準醫療，但許多患者 也會尋求補充暨替代醫學（CAM），例如針灸、中藥、飲食與身心療法，以改善症狀與提升整體健康。 2016 年發表於 Current Obstetrics and Gynecology Reports 的綜述文章即探討了 CAM 在肌瘤症狀 管理中的角色。

一、為何子宮肌瘤患者會尋求 CAM？

• 希望延後或避免手術
• 對長期賀爾蒙副作用有疑慮
• 傳統療法後仍有症狀
• 偏好自然、整合式照護
• 伴隨肥胖、壓力、慢性疼痛、不孕等問題

文獻指出：直接證據顯示 CAM 能縮小肌瘤者仍不足，但 CAM 可在症狀管理與全人照護中 發揮支持作用。

二、CAM 包含哪些內容？

• 草藥與營養補充品
• 針灸與相關技術（含耳針）
• 身心療法（冥想、瑜伽、放鬆）
• 飲食與生活型態介入
• 其他傳統醫療系統

三、現有證據：直接有限，間接值得關注

文獻中提到：目前直接針對「CAM 是否縮小肌瘤」的研究仍非常有限，但在下列相關領域已有較多證據：

• 肥胖與代謝症候群
• 慢性發炎與氧化壓力
• 心血管健康
• 壓力、不孕、身心調節

四、針灸的可能作用

• 調節神經傳遞物質，例如 CGRP，影響子宮收縮與血管反應
• 改善自律神經與骨盆腔血流
• 降低慢性骨盆痛的敏感度，改善緊繃與不適

五、CAM 與相關共病

• 體重管理、胰島素敏感度改善
• 抗發炎飲食與心血管照護
• 壓力調節與生殖健康

六、臨床建議

• 主動詢問患者是否使用 CAM
• 將 CAM 定位為輔助，而非取代醫療
• 清楚說明證據層級，避免過度承諾
• 鼓勵跨專業整合照護

七、總結

雖然目前直接證據有限，但 CAM（特別是針灸、飲食與身心療法）可以協助子宮肌瘤患者 在症狀改善、壓力管理、代謝健康與整體福祉方面受益。 整合照護應以安全、以患者為中心、跨專業合作為目標。

參考文獻：Dalton-Brewer N. (2016). PMCID: PMC4859848. 原文連結