Across America, millions of women have been suffering for years from two common health problems that can be cured or at least dramatically improved.

If you’re a woman with one of these conditions, you may mention it to your gynecologist, but chances are slim that you will get long-lasting relief from medication or other treatments prescribed by most MDs.

What I see in my practice: Every day, I treat women who are suffering unnecessarily from interstitial cystitis (also known as “painful bladder syndrome”) and painful and/or lumpy breasts. Frequently, women actually give up on ever getting relief from these problems.

While anyone who has never endured these conditions may think that they are “not that big a deal,” the truth is, these problems can greatly interfere with a woman’s ability to go about her daily life and may even cause difficulties in her sexual relationship.

A natural approach: As a naturopathic physician, I look for the root cause of these conditions and help women use natural therapies that rely on the body’s inherent ability to restore good health.

Here’s how I treat my patients who have one of these vexing problems…

INTERSTITIAL CYSTITIS

Researchers are now finding that interstitial cystitis (IC) is much more prevalent than originally thought, affecting as many as eight million women in the US.

What it feels like: IC causes pelvic and/or perineal pain (the area between the anus and vagina). It can range from mild burning or discomfort to severe, debilitating pain that can also affect the bladder, lower abdomen, low back and/or thighs.

Along with the pain there can be urinary problems including a constant urge to urinate…frequent urination (more than eight times a day)…and needing to urinate several times overnight.

What MDs typically prescribe: Drugs, including painkillers, antidepressants and the medication pentosan (Elmiron), which is FDA approved for IC. Pentosan may take up to four months to relieve pain and six months to improve urinary frequency.

Other procedures, such as stretching the bladder and administering medication directly into the bladder, are sometimes also used.

All of these approaches have potential side effects, including gastrointestinal damage and liver problems and, most importantly, work less than 50% of the time.

My natural approach: Using several of the following natural treatments at the same time, my patients find that their symptoms of pain and urinary urgency and/or frequency typically improve within about three months—sometimes even faster.

Here’s what I recommend…

  • Avoid acidic foods and beverages. In one study, 53% of IC patients linked a flare-up of their symptoms to specific foods, especially citrus fruits, tomatoes, chocolate and acidic beverages such as alcohol and coffee. To see whether this is true for you, avoid these foods for two weeks. If your symptoms improve, avoid these foods indefinitely.

    If you need more relief, try adding the following supplements (you may be able to reduce the doses as your symptoms start to improve)…*

  • Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). These two related natural compounds strengthen the lining of the bladder (epithelium), which may be more permeable in people with IC, leading to irritation and pain.

    Typical dose: N-acetyl glucosamine—500 mg, twice daily…glucosamine sulfate—750 mg, twice daily.

  • Vitamin A. This nutrient can help IC by decreasing inflammation and stimulating epithelial repair.

    Typical dose: 5,000 international units (IU) daily.

  • L-arginine. This amino acid helps regulate levels of nitric oxide in the blood, relaxing the muscles of the bladder and improving circulation. It also improves urinary frequency and sometimes helps reduce the pain associated with IC.

    Typical dose: 500 mg, twice daily.

  • Kava extract. This herb from the South Pacific acts in several ways to relieve the symptoms of IC, including balancing potassium levels (high potassium can increase pain sensitivity).

    Typical dose: One capsule, three times daily. Don’t exceed 280 mg daily of kavalactones (an active ingredient).

PAINFUL AND/OR LUMPY BREASTS

Painful and/or lumpy breasts are one of the most common reasons women see a gynecologist. The good news is that this condition rarely accompanies breast cancer—cancer occurs as a painful, firm lump in only about 5% of cases.

What it feels like: Breasts that are painful and/or have one or more grape-size (or smaller) soft, rubbery lumps that can be moved are often due to hormonal changes during a woman’s menstrual cycle. The breast pain can also be caused by an old injury or an acute infection (mastitis).

What MDs typically prescribe: When breasts are painful and/or lumpy due to hormonal changes, conventional doctors typically refer to it as fibrocystic breast disease.

Drug treatments that are frequently prescribed, such as birth control pills, can cause serious side effects, including headache, nausea and a slightly increased risk for stroke and deep vein thrombosis.

My natural approach: Because most women have some lumps or lumpy areas in their breasts all the time, as well as occasional pain, I don’t consider this a disease.

Here’s what I recommend…

  • Start with your diet. Though scientists aren’t sure why, research shows that simply eating more fruits and vegetables and avoiding caffeine (in all forms, including food sources such as chocolate and certain over-the-counter medications such as Anacin) can help prevent lumpy breasts.

    In a one-year study, increasing daily soy intake also reduced breast tenderness and fibrocystic changes. Soy does not increase breast cancer risk, as some researchers had theorized, or pose danger to women who have had or have the disease. Recommendation: One to two servings daily (a serving equals one cup of soy milk, for example, or four ounces of tofu). Also, consider taking the following…

  • Vitamin E. Two studies show that vitamin E relieves breast pain and tenderness regardless of whether they are linked to a woman’s menstrual cycle.

    Typical dose: 400 IU to 800 IU daily of the d-alpha tocopherol form of vitamin E.

  • Evening primrose oil. The linoleic and gamma linolenic acid in the oil help the body produce compounds that reduce pain and balance hormones.

    Typical dose: 1,500 mg, twice daily.

    If your condition doesn’t improve in two to three months, consider…

  • Iodine. Studies suggest that iodine deficiency plays a role in fibrocystic breasts. Without an adequate amount of iodine, breast tissue becomes more sensitive to estrogen, producing lumps.

    Typical dose: 3 mg to 6 mg daily of aqueous iodine (by prescription).

    Also helpful: Consume more iodine-rich foods, such as shellfish, seaweed, Swiss chard and lima beans.

    Don’t forget: In addition to undergoing an annual breast exam by a physician and any imaging tests he/she recommends, every woman should conduct a monthly breast self-exam. If any new, unusual changes, thickenings or lumps are detected, they should be promptly evaluated by a physician.

*Check with your doctor before starting a new supplement regimen—especially if you have a chronic medical condition and/or take medication.

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