This blog is the second in a two-part series discussing alternative feminine hygiene products. This follows on from our blog on menstrual cups and this series is a result of a discussion at our recent fibroid focus conference that got us thinking about the fact that many women with fibroids experience heavy and prolonged periods. This means they use large quantities of tampons and pads and we want to ensure that women who use these products more frequently than most are aware of all the options out there so they use the best products for them.

What’s the Problem?

Over the last few years there has been quite a bit of focus on the chemicals in feminine hygiene products and these chemicals have raised concerns about their possible health effects.

Research has shown that chemicals like dioxins are found in trace amounts in tampons and pads. These chemicals are by-products of the bleaching process and whilst they are in small quantities and cause no harm after just a one-off exposure, women use these products very frequently and it’s not clear if the frequent exposure could lead to an accumulation of dioxins in the body. The WHO states that long-term exposure to dioxins  is “linked to impairment of the immune system, the developing nervous system, the endocrine system and reproductive functions.”

Additionally, testing has found detectable amounts of pesticides in five out of eleven of the products tested and long-term exposure to pesticides may affect the liver, brain and reproductive system and has been linked to autism and some types of cancer.

Furthermore many manufacturers don’t list all the chemicals in their products making it hard for women to make an informed choice about the products they use. This led to a petition calling for companies to list all the components of their feminine hygiene products which has been signed by over 250,000 people.

The Solution

In order to avoid the chemicals in tampons and pads a number of companies now manufacture organic feminine hygiene products to give women a more natural alternative.

Companies producing organic feminine hygiene products tend to used certified organic cotton as their absorbent material rather than synthetic absorbent material. They also don’t use harsh bleaching agents so their products are chlorine free and won’t have traces of dioxins.  They are also plastic free, fragrance free and many consider the environment and make their products biodegradable.

These organic products are a good alternative to the synthetic products that are widely available and it is worth searching them out.

Where Can I get Organic Feminine Hygiene Products?

One of the most well-known manufacturers of organic tampons and pads is Natracare, they have been producing these products for almost 30 years and have a wealth of experience. Their products are plastic free, certified organic, animal friendly, don’t result in fibre loss and are recommended by gynaecologists.  To find out where you can purchase their products click here.

Other organic feminine hygiene products include:

• Organyc
• NatraTouch
• Naty Nature Women Care
• The Honest Co. Feminine Care

For a convenient one-stop-shop that sells a few different brands, then you can try Be Prepared.Period who sell a range of organic feminine hygiene products.

If you’re looking for a more natural alternative when it comes to tampons and pads then why not give the  above mentioned organic products a try.

Do you use any of these products? What are your thoughts? We’d be interested in hearing what you think about this topic. Is using organic feminine hygiene products important to you? Leave a comment below.

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References

A question for women’s health: chemicals in feminine hygiene products and personal lubricants. Environ Health Perspect. 2014 Mar; 122(3): A70-5.

Feminine Protection Products: What do they consist of? 60 Million Consumers, 23^rd Feb 2016

Tampax tampons and Always sanitary towels among feminine hygience products that contact toxic chemicals.  The Independent, 25^th Feb 2016.

This weeks’s blog post is a guest post from Nadene Clarke, the founder of  a new organisation, Voices for Autism. Nadene tells us about why she started Voices for Autism,  provides some background to this condition and shares her personal experience with autism. 

My name is Nadene and I am the founder of Voices for Autism. Voices for Autism is a non-profit organisation which supports parents/carers who care for a young person with Autism living in London. It was created for parents/carers to help spread awareness as well as create a community for parents/carers to feel a part of.

Autism is quite common in the UK affecting approximately 70,000 people. It is a lifelong developmental disability that affects how a person sees the world. It also affects how a person communicates with, and relates to other people. It is a spectrum condition which means people with Autism have a range of difficulties in common but it affects everyone differently.

Voices for Autism was born out of my personal experience with the condition. My son was diagnosed with Autism when he was 11 years old. When he was diagnosed, I felt that there was not enough support out there post-diagnosis in and around my community and whilst trying to deal with our new hurdle, I spent some time thinking of ways to build up the Autism community as it is a very sensitive subject.

My son was born prematurely so we were informed that he would have some difficulties in his childhood and it was not until he reached secondary school age that I felt I needed to do more as he was moving into a new setting so I requested for him to be assessed by a neurological team. Mainstream primary school was fantastic with all of the right support he needed but I knew it would be very different in secondary school……and I was right!

As parents we had never considered a special setting and went ahead with the mainstream secondary setting but this was a terrible experience in my eyes. He moved into a special setting soon after joining secondary school and we have not looked back.

At Voices for Autism we are striving to create a haven where we can come together to share advice, ideas, strategies etc. We want to echo the message that young people with Autism are unique and deserve the same opportunities as those without a disability.

I have been hosting coffee mornings on a monthly basis since the beginning of 2016 and they are proving so useful and are growing. We are a friendly bunch and can see that there is not enough support available for us parents/carers. The coffee mornings are set in a relaxed, informal environment where we are building strong, positive relationships and our group feels like one big family.

As a parent, it is important for me to empower and motivate others with the journey that myself and my son have been on, what a journey, but we are stronger because of it. It is vital for us to remember that we are our child’s biggest advocates and if we do not speak up for them, nobody will.

Let’s build a community, let’s build a voice!

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The Lake Foundation would like to say a big thank you to Nadene Clarke for sharing her experience with autism and introducing us to the great work that Voices for Autism is doing. If you would like more information about the support that they provide please visit their website: http://www.voicesforautism.co.uk or email info@voicesforautism.co.uk

The Eve and Grace Wellness Centre in Battersea opened its doors to the public on Saturday 10^th September 2016. This is a lovely space that aims to connect the community and promote healthy behaviours by providing education, support and wellness services to all. The services that the centre will offer will include yoga, reiki, massage,  pre and postnatal care and much, much more.

Our founder, Abi Begho, attended the launch of the wellness centre and said:

“We were delighted to attend the opening of the Eve and Grace Wellness Centre. This is a lovely space that will offer much-needed services to the community and play an important role in improving the health and well-being of its service users. We fully support this organisation, wish them all the best and look forward to exploring opportunities for collaboration”

The centre will start its activities with taster sessions from Monday 19^th September. To find out more and register an interest to attend please visit www.eveandgrace.co.uk

Sheila is The Lake Foundation’s Cycling Club Coordinator and since joining us in March she has done a fantastic job in managing our cycling club. In this blog Sheila discusses her role and what she enjoys most about it.

Tell us about your role as the cycling club coordinator.

The aim of the cycling club is to give people an opportunity to be more active. So we organise a 2-hour bike ride every 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month. Once a year we organise a 4-hour ride taking us a bit further into the countryside and a social where we will have a meal. The social is usually around Christmas.

Organising the rides involves liaising with our wonderful instructors from Cycle Instructor. They will suggest routes and lead the group on the day. I manage bike reservations and organise our participants. I update them on what we are doing and about cycling opportunities in the local area and beyond. I also spread the word about the cycling club using leaflets, writing and social media.

What do you enjoy most about your role?

London can be both lonely and stressful. This can take its toll on us in the long term. There are physical and mental benefits of people coming together and people doing exercise. So it’s rewarding to know the cycling club is doing its part to promote well-being. The group is fun and positive. You can also chat as much or as little as you want for example. Everyone is welcome and everyone seems to be him or herself.

What has been your favourite cycling route and why?

I like cycling in any green space. There are lots of green spaces in Croydon and I’ve enjoyed discovering them.

What advice would you give to someone who is thinking of joining the club but is a bit nervous?

Cycling Instructor is a helpful resource. They offer free one-to-one and group sessions. They will instruct you in how to cycle on roads and public spaces and teach you techniques. You can do one of their courses before joining The Lake Foundation Cycling Club and can also have a refresher with them at any time. The Lake Foundation Cycling Club members are supportive. In this atmosphere we find that new riders grow in confidence.

Do people have to be super fit or an experienced cyclist to join the club?

Our cycling club members are mixed in ability and fitness. People tend to be less confident if they feel they can’t keep up. So we encourage people to maintain regular exercise outside of the club and to practice cycling where possible. One of our members went on to do the London to Brighton ride and another ride after that. Another couple of riders did a 10k run for Cancer Research UK. London is a great city for charity and fun fitness challenges and the club members seem to inspire each other to take advantage of these opportunities.

Do you have to have your own bike to be a part of the club?

We have a few cycles and helmet sets that people can reserve, this way people can try cycling without taking the lead of buying a bike first. One regular member has since purchased his own bike.

What do you enjoy most about cycling?

I like the fact that I’m being active. I think you experience our city in a different way on a bike than if you were in a bus, car or on the tube. I like the freedom it gives and it’s an efficient way to get around town. I cycled more when I was living closer to central London, which is more cycle friendly these days.

What advice would you give to anyone new to cycling in terms of technique, equipment and building confidence?

I would do a course with Cycle Instructor. Go to a good and reputable cycling shop and get kitted out with a well fitted helmet, good lights, a good lock etc. Be super safe, sensible and make sure you keep hydrated. There are lots of helpful resources out there.

When you’re not cycling what do you do for fun?

I enjoy dancing, walks and cycles in the country, cinema, theatre, cultural events and hanging out with folk.

How can people join the cycling club?

The best way is to drop us an email today at events@thelakefoundation.com. Also stay in touch with The Lake Foundation on twitter and Facebook!

Many years ago before I even knew what endometriosis or fibroids were I knew the sudden stabbing pains I felt in my side weren’t right. My periods were often heavy and ‘clotty’ but I was too embarrassed to discuss it with anyone and so I suffered in silence.

Some years later I was living in England and when the pain recurred I went to see my GP who disappointed and shocked me with his response when I described my symptoms to him. My GP asked me whether I was planning to have children. I was 22 then and not ready. He replied, ‘well there are a lot of people who don’t have children’. I left the clinic stunned. I wasn’t very assertive then so didn’t answer him back.

Fortunately, I did have my son a couple of years later and all was well. I remember though that the pains would come and go but I just bore it. During a trip to Ghana, I woke up to stabbing pains in my right side again which had me doubled up in pain. When I got back home I saw my GP who referred me to a Consultant who happened to be the one to travel this journey with me. She sent me to carry out some tests which revealed I had endometriosis and fibroids. I was given tablets to help and the pain subsided. By then my son was 5/6 years old. At one of my check-ups my Consultant asked me whether I wanted any more children and advised me to do it ‘sooner rather than later’.

A year later, on Valentine’s Day, I went for another check-up, my Consultant was about to prescribe some more medication for me when I told her I might be pregnant. We did a test which was positive!

Whilst pregnant and after my daughter’s birth there were no symptoms and my doctor told me many women find the fibroids and endometriosis disappear during pregnancy.

Eight years ago I felt the pains and discomfort again. The same Consultant I had seen over 12 years earlier was still working at the hospital which I considered a blessing as she knew my history. She sent me off for a scan. I knew there was a problem when the lady carrying out the scan stopped joking and suddenly had a serious look on her face. I asked whether everything was alright, she told me my Consultant would be in touch.

I received an appointment. It was a different Consultant this time who asked me to have some blood tests done. I asked him whether I should have them done at my local hospital, he said no and that I had to have the blood tests done straight away!! As I walked to the department to have the tests done I opened the letter and saw the letter C scribbled amongst other medical jargon. I knew straight away I was being sent to test for some form of cancer. And I was on my own!

I got home and looked the medical term up on the internet which confirmed my fears, it was a test for cancer!

Another appointment came and my husband accompanied me. Thankfully it was my regular Consultant. She gave me the results and explained the scan showed a very large cyst on my right ovary which they thought could have been cancerous. The blood tests had however come back clear.

My Consultant went on to say she felt I needed to have a hysterectomy as soon as possible because I had a ‘diseased womb’. My husband and I were shocked and we tried to ask for other options. She told us that this time I didn’t have a choice and that on top of my problems with fibroids, endometriosis and the cyst on my ovary I also had an ‘enlarged womb’! Gosh, the list just gets bigger! She then booked an appointment whilst we were in her office for my surgery in 2 weeks’ time!

I had the surgery by this Consultant in September 2006 and thank God all was well. No cancer found. I however had to undergo a ‘total hysterectomy’ which meant losing my ovaries, womb, tubes and cervix. I guess the risk of cancer was great and she wanted to eliminate any possibility.

I cried for a while to think I had lost my ‘womanly bits’ but my husband sternly told me to be grateful to be well and alive. That shook me up and I started to take a positive approach. I had two healthy children, one of whom I didn’t think I would be able to have. I used to call her my ‘little miracle’.

After my surgery I had to go on HRT which I didn’t want to because it made me ‘feel old’. I soon went on it though when I had a sudden surge of heat through my body and quickly stuck my head in the freezer! My family watched me do this in amazement, confusion and amusement!

I have been on HRT patches for 8 years now and feel fine. I have put on a lot of weight but I’m not sure whether that has anything to do with the HRT or the lovely cakes people keep bringing in to work!!

Two months ago a friend mentioned HRT caused her to put on a lot of weight. She came off it and used another form of medication which is made from natural minerals. I have started using it too and have taken myself off the HRT. I have weighed myself and found I have lost a little weight. I need to cut out the cakes and do some walking and I will be back in shape.

I am thankful for my life and have learned it is good to talk, share our fears and experiences; you can learn from someone else and they can learn from you! Let’s be aware and educate ourselves.

Well done on setting up this website!

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The Lake Foundation would like to say a big thank you to Naa for sharing her experience with fibroids and endometriosis, we hope that through her experience you have gained some insight into these conditions.

To learn more about fibroids download our booklet below  and for more information about endometriosis visit Endometriosis UK’s website

Disclosure: this post contains an affiliate link. Find out more here.

A study published in the British Journal of Cancer has found that the effect of combined hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in increasing a women’s risk of developing breast cancer is likely to have been underestimated in previous studies.

HRT is used to treat the symptoms of menopause (hot flushes, mood changes etc) by replacing the oestrogen that is lost during a woman’s menopause. There are two type of HRT, oestrogen only HRT and combined HRT which is mixture of oestrogen and progestogen.

Over the years studies have identified that women using HRT have an increased risk of developing breast cancer but this was only felt to be a slight increase with many stating that the benefits of taking HRT outweigh the risks.  This new study has found that combined HRT actually has a bigger effect on breast cancer risk than was previously thought.

This New Study

This new  piece of work was part of the Breast Cancer Now Generations Study which was set up in 2004 to understand the causes of breast cancer. The full Generations Study is following 113,000 women in the UK for 40 years.

 For this research into the effect of HRT, 39183 women from the Generations Study were selected who were at menopausal age. These women had  been monitored for 6 years through questionnaires which asked a number of questions including questions about their HRT use.

After the six years of monitoring it was found that 775 of the 39,183 women had developed breast cancer. Statistical analysis revealed that women using combined HRT were 2.7 times more likely to develop breast cancer than those who had not used HRT. This applied to use of HRT for a median length of time of 5.4 years and when they explored longer use of HRT, so 15+ years of use, this increased to women being 3.27 times more likely to develop breast cancer. No overall increase in breast cancer risk was observed in women who used oestrogen only HRT.

They also found that the increase in risk returns to almost normal once combined HRT use is stopped. Researchers noted that after a year and also two years of ceasing to take combined HRT there was no significant increase in breast cancer risk.

How Did Other Studies  Result in an Underestimation of Risk?

The underestimation by previous studies occurred because of the way the studies were carried out. Previous studies didn’t comprehensively follow-up with women and document their use of HRT  (e.g. did some women  stop using HRT over the course of the research) nor did they determine the age at which women went through the menopause.  These oversights caused inaccuracies.

What Does this Mean for Women Considering Taking Combined HRT?

Baroness Delyth Morgan, the Chief Executive of Breast Cancer Now said:

“Whether to use HRT is an entirely personal choice, which is why it’s so important that women fully understand the risks and benefits and discuss them with their GP. We hope these findings will help anyone considering the treatment to make an even more informed decision.

“On balance, some women will feel HRT to be a necessity. But in order to minimise the risk of breast cancer during treatment, it is recommended that the lowest effective dose is used for the shortest possible time.

“The good news is that the increased risk of breast cancer begins to fall once you stop using HRT. “If anyone is at all worried about either HRT or breast cancer, we’d highly encourage you to speak to your GP.”

The Lake Foundation believes that women considering using the combined HRT should have a discussion with their doctor about the pros and cons and make an informed decision about whether to proceed with treatment. If you can avoid combined HRT we would recommend that you do so.

You can download the full research paper below.

Yesterday, the UK Government published its childhood obesity action plan which sets out its strategy to significantly reduce obesity levels in children over the next ten years.

Childhood obesity is a major problem in the UK with nearly a third of children being obese or overweight. There are a number of factors that have contributed to this and these include behaviour, our environment, culture and genetics.

The government’s action plan makes an important observation which is that obesity levels are highest in children from low-income families.  Research has shown that 5 year olds in the poorest  families are twice as likely to be obese than their affluent counterparts and by the age of 11 they are three times more likely to be obese. We need to address this inequality.

The government’s action plan aims to provide a good balance of reducing childhood obesity whilst respecting the public’s freedom of choice when it comes to food selection. They also clearly state that this action plan is a starting point rather than a complete final plan.

A Summary of the Action Plan

Introducing a sugar levy (the sugar tax)

Soft drinks companies will pay a levy on drinks with added sugar. This will apply to drinks with a total sugar content above 5 grams per 100 ml. A higher rate will be applied to drinks with more than 8 grams per 100 ml.  The levy won’t be applied to milk-based drinks or fruit juices.  The levy will come into effect from April 2018.

Soft drinks manufacturers will have two years to reduce the sugar content of their drinks so they won’t be taxed if they are successful. The government states that there has already been some success with some manufacturers already reducing sugar in their drinks.

The money raised from the sugar levy will be used to double the funding available to primary schools for PE and sports programmes. The government has estimated the sugar levy will raise £320 million a year for primary schools to support healthier more active lifestyles in children. The funding will not only go towards expanding PE and sports programmes but to also expand breakfast clubs in primary schools ensuring that children have access to a healthy breakfast every week day.

The idea behind the sugar levy is a good one. It’s hoped that the levy will incentivise the soft drinks industry to reduce the amount of sugar in their products, helping the public consume less sugar. The money raised will go towards helping children get more active and healthy and thus tackle our high rates of childhood obesity.  So, from a public health point of view the sugar levy is a win-win.

Taking out 20% of sugar in products

The government will be slowly reducing the sugar content in everyday products  and will launch a sugar reduction programme to reduce sugar in products that are popular with children.  All sectors in the food and drinks industry will be challenged to reduce the sugar in their products by 20% by 2020, this will include a 5% reduction in year one. Their recommendations to the food and drinks industry are to:

• Reduce sugar in their products
• Reduce portion sizes
• Use lower sugar alternatives

The sugar reduction programme will focus on nine areas: breakfast cereals, yoghurts, biscuits, cakes, confectionery, morning goods (such as pastries), ice cream and sweet spreads. They will then move on to other foods and drinks such as milk-based drinks and they will ensure that they focus on ranges that target babies and young children.

The government will monitor progress and publish reports every six months to determine if manufacturers are on track to achieve the 20% reduction.

The action plan also makes the point that sugar reduction should also mean calorie reduction and manufacturers should not increase the saturated fat content of their products.

We like the sugar reduction programme with its clear targets and hope that the manufacturers will comply and work with the government to achieve this. The issue we see is that manufacturers have no strong incentive to take part in this programme and may continue as is.  Also, we know some manufacturers don’t appreciate the government interference in the way they do business and may not comply out of principle – they think it will set a nanny state precedent.

Supporting innovation to help businesses make healthier products

The action plan summarises how the government is supporting businesses in making healthier products. This includes: a £10millon investment to support research that explores new processes and products to increase the availability of healthy food choices; the formation of the Agri-Food Technology Council to provide leadership in health, nutrition and consumer acceptability; and the formation of the Food and Drink Innovation Network which brings together the food and drinks industry, researchers and innovation support to enable greater take up of world-leading R&D.

Updating the nutrient profile

The current nutrient profile which gives foods a score based on their sugar, fat, salt, vegetables, nuts, fibre and protein content is 10 years old and needs updating. It does give parents a view on how healthy their food is and enables them to make healthier choices, but work is needed to update it so it is in line with today’s scientific advice.

The government will therefore work with academics, the food and drinks industry, charities and other stakeholders to update the nutrient profile.

Making healthy options available

The action plan talks about the potential of the public sector to make a significant contribution to reducing childhood obesity.  They state that every public space from leisure centres to hospitals should serve healthy food.  The government has committed to working with their local government colleagues to ensure that this will happen.

Helping low-income families in purchasing healthy foods

The government will continue with their Healthy Start Scheme which provide vouchers to low-income families, these can be exchanged for fruit, vegetables and milk. The scheme also provides vitamins during pregnancy and early years.

Encouraging children to take part in one hour of physical activity every day

The government aims to support schools in using the funding raised by the sugar levy on sports programmes that have the maximum impact possible and guidance will be developed on how best to implement school PE, sports and healthy lifestyle programmes. Support will also be given to schools to ensure they have access to high quality sports and physical activity programmes. Additionally the government will continue to invest in making it safe for children to walk and cycle to school.

Encouraging healthy eating in schools

The government will introduce a voluntary healthy rating scheme to recognise the work being done in schools to ensure that children are eating healthy and getting active. There will be a focus on continuing to improve school meals through the School Food Standards and breakfast clubs will continue to provide children with a healthy start to the day.

Other measures

Other areas the government will focus on are:  clearer food labels, making use of technology in the form of apps and other digital resources, for example the sugar smart app and exploring how health professionals can support families.

Conclusions

We are very happy to see the government publish its childhood obesity action plan, and we see it for what it is: a starting point.

We believe that it is a good starting point and are particularly happy to see the sugar levy; the sugar reduction plan; the investment being made in research and development to support businesses in making their food healthier; the support given to schools to ensure kids are active and healthy during school time; and the support given to low-income families.

We hope that everyone will play their part so that this plan is successful and we hope that the government will continue to develop its strategy to ensure that all areas are addressed.

You can download the full report below.

At our recent Fibroid Focus conference an interesting question was raised: “Has anyone used the Mooncup?” There were a few blank stares, which came from us too, and then an attendee answered: “Yes, and it is so much better than tampons and pads.”

This little exchange got us thinking.

Many women with fibroids experience heavy prolonged periods meaning they use large quantities of pads and tampons. Over the last few years there has been quite a bit of focus on the chemicals in these products and this has raised concerns about possible health effects. This led to the formation of a number of companies who now manufacture organic feminine hygiene products to give women a natural alternative.

But are women with fibroids aware of all the options available when it comes to feminine hygiene products and are they aware of alternatives like the Mooncup (a menstrual cup made by Mooncup Ltd)? This is particularly important for women with fibroids, who are likely to need to use large quantities of pads and tampons, and may be concerned about their prolonged exposure to the chemicals in these products.

In this blog series we are going to introduce you to a selection of feminine hygiene products starting with the menstrual cup today.

What is a Menstrual Cup?

A menstrual cup is a small flexible cup usually made of silicone, but can also be made of rubber, that is inserted into the vagina and collects menstrual blood. Depending on the amount of flow the cup is removed every 4-8 hours, emptied, washed and reinserted. At the end of a woman’s period the cup can be sterilised and the same cup used again every month. The shelf life of menstrual cups is fairly long with manufacturers recommending that they be replaced, on average, every 5 years.

Many companies make menstrual cups and these include:

• Mooncup Ltd
• DivaCup
• Lunette
• IrisCup
• MeLuna

Are Menstrual Cups New?

The menstrual cup was invented by Leona Chalmers in the 1930s and she patented her design in 1935. So the menstrual cup is over 80 years old and has been used for decades.

Is it Safe to Use?

Research has shown that the cup is safe to use with only a very small number of issues reported.

There has been just one case of toxic shock syndrome linked to the use of a menstrual cup, making this a very rare occurrence.  Additionally, one research paper reported that a woman may have developed adenomyosis and endometriosis  after using a menstrual cup for four years and the Endometriosis Research Centre in the US has called for more research to determine if there is link between the use of the menstrual cup and endometriosis.

Several studies have shown that, provided the cup is used properly and is kept clean, the risk of infection is low.  Also, for those worried about allergic reactions the majority of cups are made from medical grade silicone and silicone sensitivity is very rare. For those with a latex allergy they just need to ensure that they use a cup that is made entirely of silicone and does not contain rubber.

The Benefits

There are many benefits of using a menstrual cup. These include:

• Environmentally friendly – one cup can be used for 5 years which means there is less waste created than if tampons or pads are used
• Cost effective – menstrual cups costs about £20 and last for up to 5 years so this works out much cheaper than pads which are estimated to cost about £80 per year and tampons about £43 per year.
• No exposure to toxic chemicals – menstrual cups do not contain the bleaches, pesticides and other chemicals that the majority of pads and tampons contain
• Doesn’t cause dryness –tampons and pads can cause vaginal dryness because they are made of absorbent material, the cup simply collects fluid and isn’t drying
• Less leaks

The Drawbacks

There are some disadvantages associated with the menstrual cup:

• Inserting and removing the cup can be challenging
• Emptying the cup can be quite messy
• Women with certain conditions may not find a cup that fits properly. This has been reported for women with a dropped uterus and certain types of fibroids
• The cup needs to be kept clean to avoid infection so it requires some maintenance every month and needs to be sterilised after each cycle

Conclusion

If you’re looking for an alternative to tampons and pads a menstrual cup is an option you can explore. It may take some time to get used to it, but we recommend that you give it a few months before you make a judgement.

Saturday was a really exciting day for us as we hosted our first fibroids conference, Fibroid Focus. The theme of the conference was treatment and we aimed to provide an in-depth look at all treatment options including natural options.

The day started with an introduction by our founder, Abi Begho, who welcomed everyone, explained the aim of the day and briefly summarised the work we’ve been doing on fibroids. This work has included conducting a survey to understand the needs of black women with fibroids, forming an expert panel, developing a booklet and organising awareness events.

You can watch a clip of Abi talking about the event here

Exercise and Fibroids

We first heard from Lillian Lartey the founder and CEO of I Want My Body Back. Lillian discussed exercise and fibroids and we learnt that exercise has been shown to be beneficial in reducing the risk of developing a number of hormone-dependent conditions such as breast cancer and hence we expect that it will also be beneficial in preventing fibroids but also in improving symptoms as part of a healthy lifestyle. Lillian explained that stress is an important factor as any benefits of exercise are cancelled out if we are experiencing persistent stress in our lives. Finally, Lillian reminded us that we should be aiming for 30 minutes of moderate exercise a day and that we shouldn’t consistently take part in long bouts of exercise as this can put pressure on our body. Lillian ended with three suggestions on how to move forward:

• Check your lifestyle – how will exercise be a part of your life?
• Choose the right type of exercise for you and avoid stress-induced exercise
• Manage your stress – this is more than just resting but managing your thoughts.

You can watch a clip of Lillian’s talk here, download her presentation in the section below this blog piece, listen to her full presentation here and you can read our blog on fibroids and exercise here.

Diet and Fibroids

Next we heard from Leah Salmon, The Naturally You Coach, who spoke about diet and fibroids. Leah stressed that food is more than something that we eat three times a day because it tastes nice, food is medicinal. To reap the benefits of food and to fight disease we need to have a solid foundation of nutrients for our body to build on. To achieve this Leah advised that we make at least 50% of our diet unprocessed foods. Leah explained that fibroids have been linked to a number of nutritional deficiencies such as vitamin D, magnesium and essential fatty acids.  Leah stated that we can use our diet to prevent the deficiencies that lead to the fibroids or, if we have fibroids, use nutrition to re-balance the deficiencies, build and repair the body and stop the fibroid tumours from growing. Leah then recommended nine foods that can achieve this:

• Irish Moss and sea weed
• Bone broth and oily fish
• Evening Primrose Oil
• Molasses
• Tumeric
• Garlic
• Green smoothies and vitamin C rich food
• Vitamin D
• Water

Leah also warned us about six foods we should avoid:

• Xenoestrogens (growth hormones in commercially reared animals and can thus be found in red meat, poultry and eggs and also BPA, found in some plastics)
• Alcohol and caffeine
• White sugar
• Processed grains
• Trans and hydrogenated fats

Finally, Leah stated that success in this area is all about our mindset and we need the willingness to change, the stamina to commit to a healthy lifestyle and patience.

You can download Leah’s slides below this blog, watch clips of Leah’s talk here and here, listen to her full presentation here and you can read more about diet and fibroids here.

Medical Treatment and Fibroids

We also heard from Rajiv Varma, a consultant gynaecologist at the Nuffield Hospital, who presented on the medical management of fibroids.  Mr Varma first described some of the effects of fibroids such as challenges with fertility, problems during pregnancy and a number of symptoms that affect a woman’s quality of life, but he did stress that most women with fibroids do not experience these problems.

Mr Varma explained the treatment options available and these include:

• Doing nothing (watchful waiting)
• Drug treatments – mainly used to shrink fibroids before surgery or to relieve symptoms
• Procedures
  • Uterine Artery Embolisation (UAE) – cuts off blood supply to the fibroids
• Surgery – to remove the fibroids

Mr Varma then gave us some really good insight and advice on a number of issues:

 NHS treatment vs. private treatment:  He stated that in an ideal world there would be no difference between NHS and private treatment but unfortunately there can be some issues with NHS care such as: lack of choice, long waiting times and limited treatment options. There are a number of benefits though which include: the NHS is better equipped to deal with complex cases,  easy access to supportive services (such as blood transfusions and intensive care),  the consultant is present and other specialists are available.

Second opinions:  Mr Varma explained that we are entitled to get a second opinion and the situations where he would advise that a woman seeks a second opinion are: if you are unhappy with the treatment and management options that have been presented to you; if you lose confidence in your doctor; and if there is poor communication between yourself and your doctor.

Finding the right doctor: he stated that the most effective way of finding the right doctor is to have insider information and nurses are the best people to get information on who the best doctors are.

Herbal Remedies and Fibroids

Patricia Ferguson, a Medical Herbalist and a member of the College of Practitioners of Phytotherapy, then discussed herbal remedies that have been shown to be effective in treating fibroids. These remedies either contribute to shrinking the fibroid or are effective at managing some of the symptoms. They are as follows:

Vitex Berries (or agnus cactus) – act on the pituitary gland and depress oestrogen and progesterone (both of which can stimulate the growth of fibroids).
Shepherds Purse – can be effective in treating heavy menstrual bleeding
Red raspberry leaf – can help control heavy menstrual bleeding and can help shrink fibroids

Nettle leaves- can be effective in reducing heavy bleeding
Yarrow – helps to stop the growth of fibroids
Thuja  – helps to stop the growth of fibroids
Burdock  Root – can improve liver function and may inhibit the growth of fibroids
Milk Thistle – improves liver function and therefore can help the live control oestrogen levels

It was also noted that before taking any of these herbal preparations women should seek advice from a medical herbalist as some of the above shouldn’t be taken if a woman is pregnant or if she is on certain medication.

You can download a copy of the handouts to this presentation below this blog and read about some research on complementary and alternative medicine and fibroids here.

Managing the Emotional Impact of Fibroids

Finally, Olivia Haltman discussed the emotional impact of fibroids and how to manage this. Olivia explained that women may experience a number of emotions when going through their fibroid journey. This starts before the diagnosis with some women experiencing fear of the unknown due to symptoms. There can be a significant amount of anxiety whilst waiting for results and after receiving results, there can be a feeling of loss of control and hopelessness where you feel like you can’t control the outcome. Additionally, the vaginal examination can cause a significant amount of stress particularly for women who have had a traumatic sexual experience in the past.

Once a woman has received a confirmed diagnosis she may feel a fear of the growth of her fibroids and experience some unease about how her employers may respond, for example, missed days from work due to symptoms. Additionally, she may have anxiety over her fertility and then feel overwhelmed by the treatment decision.

The emotional impact may also include loss of focus, mood swings, panic attacks, lack of self-esteem, irrational emotions, fears regarding relationships and severe premenstrual syndrome.

So, fibroids can have a significant emotional impact on women which, in many cases, go unrecognised. These issues need to be addressed so that women can heal and move on.

Olivia provided some tips on how to start dealing with the emotional impact and these were:

• Educating yourself about fibroids – this can be empowering allowing you to make informed decisions about treatment
• Relaxation and breathing techniques
• Ground techniques
• Writing as therapy
• Positive thinking techniques
• Talking to your partner, friends and family
• Talking therapy
• Healthy eating
• Holistic lifestyle

Olivia finished by summarising tips from HysterSisters which were:

1. Don’t play the blame game
2. Don’t dwell on the what if’s
3. Don’t compare yourself to others
4. Give yourself time to heal emotionally as well as physically
5. Don’t underestimate how much your hormones affect your emotions
6. Don’t do it alone
7. Do move on

Conclusions

The event ended with a really good summary from The Lake Foundation’s trustee, Fadzai Marange, who shared a little of her personal experience with fibroids, summarised the talks and appealed to women to follow Leah Salmon’s advice regarding the watchful waiting option i.e. if you have been diagnosed with fibroids and your doctor says: ‘ let’s watch and wait’, don’t be passive during this time, act – adopt a healthy lifestyle and see what you can do naturally. Finally, Fadzai encouraged women to visit their doctor and check whether they have a vitamin D deficiency as this is strongly linked to fibroids.

The Exhibitors

At this event were a  number exhibitors including:

• Gedeon Ricther
• I Want My Body Back
• Nearer Nature
• Noire Wellness
• Pure Goodness
• The Naturally You Coach
• TOHETI
• Wisdom of Osun

Together they:

• Provided information on fibroids;
• Provided information on the support available for women affected by fibroids;
• Provided information on health and well-being programmes;
• Sold health and well-being books;
• Sold natural feminine hygiene products; and
• Sold natural hair and skin care products.

We also had ‘Meet the Exhibitor’ sessions on the agenda giving attendees the opportunity to hear organisations talk about their work.

Thank you

We had a great day and would like to thank everyone who attended, shared their story and for being a fantastic, engaged audience. We’d also like to thank all the speakers for their thought-provoking, informative presentations and all the exhibitors for attending and sharing their information, services, products and knowledge.

Finally, we’d like to thank Black History Walks, Natracare and Noire Wellness for their support.

There are several medical procedures used to treat fibroids.  Some of these result in infertility and because of this, as well as unease with these procedures, many women are seeking less invasive more “natural” options. But, are these effective?

One area that has been explored is the use of green tea extract which has been used for a variety of medical reasons with some success.

What research has been done?

 To explore this area we’ll be looking at a research paper published in the International Journal of Women’s Health in 2013 – ‘Treatment of symptomatic uterine fibroids with green tea extract: a pilot randomised controlled clinical study.’

Why green tea extract?

In the research paper, the investigators described why they decided to look at green tea extract.  They explained that green tea contains epigallocatechin gallate which has been shown to have useful biological effects. These include: anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative (stops cells from growing) and antioxidant effects.

They stated that a study conducted by the US Department of Agriculture reported that great tea has an anti-cancer effect. Additionally, they quoted further research that showed that green tea stops the growth of tumours. From these studies, it is safe to conclude that as fibroids are benign tumours green tea extract may be an effective treatment.

Furthermore, at the time of conducting their research, there were no effective drug treatment  for fibroids. So there was a need to explore this area to explore the possibility of developing the first drug treatment.

The researchers had also conducted some preliminary work, not on humans but on fibroid cells grown in their lab and in a mouse model of fibroids. This was very promising with their experiments on the fibroid cells showing that green tea extract caused the cells to stop growing and die. Whilst in the mouse model they saw a significant amount of fibroid shrinkage.

What did they do?

The researchers conducted a small clinical study which included 33 women with fibroids.  Twenty-two women were given green tea extract and eleven women were not. To ensure the outcome of the study wasn’t compromised, the women taking part and the study staff didn’t know who was receiving the extract and who wasn’t (double blind study). The treatment lasted for four months and women were followed up monthly.

The aim of the study was to determine whether treatment with green tea extract could:

• reduce the size of a patient’s fibroids;
• reduce the severity of symptoms; and
• improve quality of life.

What were their findings?

When looking at those women who were given green tea extract the researchers determined that, on average, the size of their fibroids decreased  by 32.6%. Meanwhile those women who didn’t receive the extract actually experienced an average increase in the size of their fibroids of 24.2%.

The researchers then looked at the severity of symptoms and a similar trend was seen. In the women given green tea extract there was a significant decrease in the severity of their symptoms, but there was an increase in symptom severity in those not treated.

Next, the researchers analysed quality of life. They found that the  overall average increase in the quality of life score in women treated with green tea extract was 20.7 (i.e. their quality of life improved significantly). But in women not treated with green tree extract there was only a 2.19 increase in their quality of life score.

Finally, the study looked at menstrual bleeding and they were able to show that green tea extract caused a significant decline in average blood flow, there was no such effect seen in women not treated.

Conclusions

Based on their findings the researchers concluded that:

“… green tea extract has a significant positive effect on the reduction of uterine fibroid burden and symptoms severity. Thus, administration of green tea extract could possibly be an effective oral treatment.”

The Limitations of this Research

It is worth bearing in mind that this was a very small study with only 33 women taking part. This study needs to be repeated on a larger scale to confirm this finding and ensure its accuracy.

To find out more about this study you can read the full paper below.