Q. I have a uterine fibroid tumor that is a little smaller than a tennis ball.
Uterine fibroids are benign muscle tumors that grow within or on the uterus.
A woman who has fibroids may have no symptoms. Some gynecologists recommend hysterectomy to remove any fibroids. But because fibroids don't become malignant, I think surgery is an extreme measure. I don't recommend it unless the fibroids are causing pain or excessive bleeding. This year, a study in the Journal of Natural Products found that blue cohosh could cause birth defects in rat embryos, including nerve damage, twisted tails, and poor or absent eye development.