What Effects Does Red Clover Have On Uterine Fibroids?

If you have uterine fibroids, you're in good company. According to MayoClinic.com, up to 75 percent of women develop uterine fibroids, but many women don't know they have the condition unless their gynecologists discover the growths during an examination. Consuming red clover, a favorite herb for treating female reproductive disorders, isn't advisable for women with diagnosed uterine fibroids, due to the herb's phytoestrogen properties. Your doctor is the best source of advice for the care and treatment of uterine fibroids.

Uterine Fibroids

In women who do experience symptoms, uterine fibroids might cause longer or heavier menstrual cycles, increased urination or constipation, back pain and a feeling of pressure in the lower abdomen, reports MayoClinic.com. In rare cases, fibroids trigger chronic pain, spotting and painful sexual intercourse.

Red Clover

Trifolium pretense is the botanical name for red clover, a member of the legume family. The red blossoms of this aromatic herb contain phytoestrogens, which are mild plant-based forms of estrogen. The herb is potentially beneficial for reducing menopausal symptoms, like hot flashes, according to MedlinePlus, a division of the National Institutes of Health. Clinical studies verifying red clover's effectiveness, however, are lacking.

Red Clover's Effect on Fibroids

Although red clover is "likely safe for most people," reports MedlinePlus, women with uterine fibroids should not use the herb. As of 2011, research showing that red clover is dangerous for women with fibroids is lacking, but because the herb acts in a way similar to estrogen, women who have any type of estrogen-sensitive condition should not take red clover.

The exact effect on uterine fibroids is unknown. Aviva Romm, author of "Botanical Medicine for Women's Health," suggests that the herb might stimulate the growth of cancerous and precancerous cells in estrogen-dominant conditions, which include uterine fibroids.

Considerations

Red clover could interfere with other medications you take, including hormone treatments, birth control pills, blood-thinners and medications that break down in the liver. The Food and Drug Administration does not oversee the production of herbal teas and remedies, so you have no guarantee of purity, quality and safety. Talk to your doctor about uterine fibroids and do not self-treat with red clover, or any other herbal remedy, unless directed to do so by your doctor.