I am really confused.
I have been back on Atkins since January 18th, have lost weight, and incorporated flax seed and coconut oil into the diet on a daily basis.
I also have uterine fibroids that have symptoms such as heavy periods -- but also the constant nagging pressure on the bladder which is an annoyance, but I did not feel worthy of a hysterectomy.
But in the last week or so I've lost those annoying symptoms (haven't had a period yet so don't know about that), some I didn't even know I had until they were gone.
A friend told me that she read 3 books on reducing fibroids the natural way and flax seed is always recommended. So I assumed that was probably what was happening --- but started a google search on the internet anyway.
Well, let me tell you, people are screaming about flax seed in 2 completely different directions. Some people (MD's included) are saying to absolutely avoid any phytoestogens or any substance that increases estrogen (which apparently flax seed does) because that will INCREASE the size of the fibroids.
And others (MD's included) are saying that flax seed really works to shrink the size of the tumors -- including breast tumors. Many, many, other remedies are also available for a price.
I have had this exact same bipolar response to the use of progresterone cream: it either helps fibroids or makes them much worse -- I also use progresterone cream a couple of weeks out of the month.
So, apparently science and anecdotal evidence are at odds here, and I'm not sure what to do. It makes sense that if symptoms have abated, then I should continue on the present course. On the other hand, maybe just the low carb diet, losing weight, coconut oil, saturated fat, progesterone cream, changes in hormone levels unrelated to diet, or other unknown factors could be contributing to the symptom reduction.
Any ideas here from the more educated or experienced? Again, I'm very confused.