Beyond Fibroids: Why Fibroids Grow

When Your Body Won’t Stop Growing Things You Didn’t Ask For

Valerie-Yamina Bey — Sun, 26 Apr 2026 14:15:43 GMT

There is a specific kind of soul-tired that comes with chronic health issues. It’s the “I just finished fighting this battle, why is the enemy back?…” kind of tired.

I recently learned about a woman in her 30s who has spent nearly half her life dealing with fibroids. She had an open myomectomy earlier in 2025, where surgeons removed over 80 (yes 80) fibroids, only to find out via MRI in December (2025) that they are already back.

If you relate to this, you are not alone. The feeling that after going through all that surgery and the weeks of healing, only to find they are back…actually, you cannot even describe the feeling. So when your body seems to be on fast-forward with fibroid growth, it’s easy to feel like you’ve run out of options.

The Impossible Choice

When you look at what this young woman is facing, she is has two very narrow choices:

Medication: A hormone pill that switches off how your body usually produces hormones and comes with a laundry list of side effects.

Hysterectomy: A permanent eviction that feels like, for her, a huge emotional loss, especially when she is still young and wants a family.

Disheartened, she found herself stuck in a classic dilemma: she’s sick to death of suffering, but at the same time, she is not ready to let go of her womb. When symptoms are dire, jumping into a life-altering surgery feels less like a solution and more like a surrender, due to the lack of options.

Finding the Why Before the Goodbye

As mentioned so many times before, fibroids are a symptom. Basically, whatever is going on internally, fibroids are the end result. If you remove the fibroids but leave the environment that created them exactly as it was, your body is only going to do what it knows how to do: grow more. This is why just delaying the inevitable feels so scary, it assumes that surgery is the only final destination.

But what if there was a way to pause the rush to the operating table and actually look under the hood?

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Your Body Has Been Left Unsupervised

Surprisingly enough, your body is not a machine that needs fixing. Your body is an intelligent, interconnected system that is constantly responding to signals, and right now, something keeps hitting the fibroid grow button.

Most of us hand our body over to an expert and hope for the best. But what if the missing piece isn’t (necessarily) another procedure?

Think of it like this. Your liver and gut are essentially in charge of managing your hormones by routing them, processing them, and clearing them out. When that routing goes wrong, oestrogen gets directed down a pathway that essentially says “expand to your uterine tissue”, over and over again. This is literally what is happening at a biochemical level when fibroids come back after surgery.

The most annoying aspect of this is that standard blood tests don’t pick up on this. These tests are designed to tell you whether something is catastrophically wrong - they are not designed to show you the subtle ways your body might be struggling. There are more advanced hormone assessments that go much deeper, looking at how your hormones are being processed, rather than just how much of them are floating in your blood. That’s the difference that makes the difference.

Another factor that is not included is blood sugar, which rarely (if ever), comes up in these conversations. When your blood sugar spikes, your liver dials down a protein whose whole job is to keep excess oestrogen in check. Without that protein doing its job, oestrogen moves freely and fibroids are essentially bathing in the fuel they need to keep growing. Your daily habits, the ones that feel totally unrelated to your womb, might actually be part of the story.

Despite this sounding dire (and btw, none of it is your fault), it’s actually where you can be more powerful. Because once you can see what’s actually driving the growth through proper testing, you stop fighting the invisible, and you start making decisions that are genuinely informed.

The Power of the Audit

So, before making a choice that can’t be undone, there is a path you can take before you do anything else. Instead of focusing solely only on the tumours, you can look at the six systems in your body that influence fibroid behavior, and one of them has been mentioned already.

By taking the Uterine Health Audit as your first step, you can move away from the wait and see anxiety and into active discovery. The audit helps identify which of your internal systems might be fueling this rapid regrowth. But just bear in mind, it’s not as simple as, “oh, let me go take some milk thistle for my liver”. As already alluded to, it’s important to look at your body as one complete system, rather than seeing your fibroids in isolation.

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Why This Changes the Narrative

Please make a note of this: taking the audit does not mean you ignore medical advice.

What it does mean is that you become an expert on your own biology. Getting to know your body and listening to your intuition is something you can definitely learn to do, but it is a process. ‘Knowing Thyself’ offers something surgery can’t: Clarity. Imagine being able to make your final decision because you have the right data. By identifying the systemic blockages and where your body might be struggling, you might find that you can manage the environment of your body so effectively that the drastic choice no longer feels like your only exit.

You deserve to feel ready and at peace with whatever you choose. Whether surgery remains on the cards at some point or not, wouldn’t you rather make that call knowing you’ve looked at every system involved? Your womb is something you hold dear, so it’s worth taking the time to understand the why before you say goodbye.

If you have ever felt pressured to make a permanent medical decision because you didn’t think there were any other stones left to turn, the Uterine Health Audit will make a massive difference. This is how you go from not not knowing to knowing. Start the audit.

If this resonated, here are three powerful articles to explore next:

• Why Fibroids Keep Coming Back

• The 11 Stages of Disease Most Doctors Never Explain

• Epigenetics and Fibroids

This space is where I teach the real truths about fibroids, womb health, and healing: the things women are never told. Stay connected as I continue to share the frameworks, insights, and root‑cause teachings that shape my work.

Disclaimer

This article is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read in this article.

I am not a medical professional, and the information shared here is based on personal experiences, two decades of knowledge on working on myself, the many brilliant teachers who have taught me everything I know; but most of all and the most important is the insights from my clients. Always consult with a healthcare professional before making any changes to your health regimen or starting a new treatment plan.

Your health and well-being are unique to you, and it’s important to take a tailored approach under the guidance of a qualified expert.

The 11 Stages of Disease Most Doctors Never Explain

Valerie-Yamina Bey — Sun, 12 Jan 2025 12:19:45 GMT

The journey to disease is definitely not an overnight event. It unfolds systematically, through imbalances that, over time, lead to chronic dysfunction. By understanding the 11 interconnected steps, not only do you gain valuable insight into how to prevent and reverse disease, but you will know how to reverse it too!

1. Ingestion

The journey begins with what you eat, drink, and breathe. The quality of the substances you consume is critical. Nutrient-dense, whole foods support optimal health, while processed ‘foods’ full of chemicals and other unnecessary ingredients lay the foundation for imbalance.

2. Digestion

Once ingested, food must be broken down effectively. Digestive enzymes, stomach acid, and bile play a BIG part in this. Poor digestion due to enzyme deficiencies, stress, or suboptimal eating habits leads to improperly broken-down nutrients, setting the stage for downstream issues.

3. Absorption

Even if digestion is adequate, nutrients must be absorbed through the intestinal lining. Gut health, which is influenced by the microbiota, permeability, and inflammation, is vital. Leaky gut, for example, can compromise absorption, allowing toxins into the bloodstream.

4. Utilization

Once absorbed, nutrients must be delivered to cells and used effectively. Cellular function depends on adequate energy, which relies on balanced macronutrients, vitamins, and minerals. Poor utilisation can result from hormonal imbalances, inflammation, and/ or cellular dysfunction.

5. Elimination

Unused nutrients and metabolic waste must be efficiently removed via the liver, kidneys, colon, lungs, and skin. Inefficient elimination can lead to the accumulation of waste, which paves the way for toxicity.

6. Congestion

When elimination pathways become congested, congestion occurs. The body’s filters - the lymphatic system, liver, and kidneys struggle to manage the load. This leads to to stagnation in tissues and organs.

7. Toxicity

Congestion results in toxicity. Toxins both internal (e.g., metabolic waste) and external (e.g., environmental chemicals) begin to accumulate, disrupting cellular processes and impairing organ function. Continuous exposure exacerbates this condition.

8. Deficiency

With toxicity comes deficiency. The body’s resources are diverted to deal with the toxic burden, leading to a lack of vital nutrients. This creates a vicious cycle where deficiencies weaken the body's defence mechanisms, allowing further toxicity.

9. Adaptation

The body adapts to ongoing deficiencies and toxicity. Symptoms such as fatigue, hormonal imbalances, and inflammation are often early warning signs of the body’s struggle to maintain balance. Over time, these adaptations lead to chronic conditions.

10. Mutation

Prolonged adaptation leads to cellular changes. Chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and DNA damage may lead to mutations. This step is often where we see the manifestation of serious illnesses, such as autoimmune diseases and cancer.

11. Detoxification

The body’s last-ditch effort to restore balance is detoxification. Symptoms of ‘disease’ fever, sweating, diarrhoea, pain, bloating etc. are the body’s last ditch attempts and natural methods of eliminating toxins. This is what the medical world calls ‘disease’. Nevertheless, without addressing root causes (steps 1–9), these efforts may be insufficient, leading to chronic disease.

Each step in this progression builds on the last, illustrating how imbalances in foundational processes lead to disease. Importantly, this sequence also shows that by addressing all the earlier steps 1 through to 9, you can halt or reverse this progression, and therefore, empower yourself to transform your health from the inside out.

Clinical References

Campbell, T. C., & Campbell, T. M. (2006). The China Study: The Most Comprehensive Study of Nutrition Ever Conducted. BenBella Books.

Fasano, A. (2012). Leaky gut and autoimmune diseases. Clinical Reviews in Allergy & Immunology, 42(1), 71–78.

Pizzorno, J. (2014). Environmental toxins and the development of chronic disease. Integrative Medicine: A Clinician's Journal, 13(1), 8–11.

Pizzorno, J. (2017). How to practice environmental medicine. Integrative Wellness Review, 14(2), 45–50.

Wallach, J. D., & Schrauzer, G. N. (2014). Epigenetics: The Death of the Genetic Theory of Disease Transmission.

Galland, L. (2014). The gut microbiome and the brain. Journal of Medicinal Food, 17(12), 1261–1272.

Hormones Control More of Your Health Than You Realise

Valerie-Yamina Bey — Mon, 21 Oct 2024 11:10:45 GMT

Hormones are the body's chemical messengers. They regulate numerous processes such as metabolism, growth, reproduction, and mood. These molecules travel through the bloodstream to tissues and organs, acting on specific target cells. For women, hormonal balance is critical, especially when it comes to reproductive health and the functioning of the uterus. Imbalances can disrupt many aspects of well-being, leading to issues such as fibroids, heavy menstruation, and even infertility.

In this article, we’ll explore how hormones work, why they’re so important, and why imbalances can particularly affect the uterus.

What Are Hormones?

Hormones are chemical signals produced by the endocrine glands, which include the thyroid, pituitary, adrenal glands, ovaries, and pancreas. Each hormone has a specific role in regulating bodily functions. For example:

- Oestrogen and progesterone regulate the menstrual cycle and prepare the uterus for pregnancy.

- Insulin helps regulate blood sugar levels.

- Cortisol, often called the stress hormone, helps control metabolism and immune response.

Hormones are produced in small quantities, but they have a huge impact on the body. A tiny imbalance can lead to significant issues, which is why understanding how they work is so important.

The Role of Oestrogen Receptors

For hormones to perform their functions, they need to bind to specific receptors on or inside target cells. Think of these receptors as locks, and hormones as keys that fit perfectly into them. Once a hormone binds to its receptor, it triggers a cascade of events inside the cell, leading to a physiological response.

In women, for example, oestrogen receptors in the uterus respond to fluctuating levels of oestrogen throughout the menstrual cycle, helping to regulate tissue growth. If oestrogen levels become too high or too low, the uterus may respond abnormally, potentially leading to problems such as endometrial hyperplasia (thickening of the uterine lining) or fibroids.

Hormone Binding and Regulation of Sensitivity

The process of hormone binding to receptors is tightly regulated. Cells can increase or decrease their sensitivity to a particular hormone by changing the number of receptors available. For instance, during pregnancy, the uterus becomes more sensitive to the hormone oxytocin to facilitate childbirth.

However, chronic stress, diet, or environmental factors can disrupt this delicate balance. If hormone levels are chronically high (as seen with insulin resistance in Type 2 diabetes), the body may decrease the number of receptors or make the existing receptors less sensitive to that hormone, leading to imbalances. This same concept can apply to reproductive hormones, affecting menstrual health and fertility.

Why Women Experience Uterine Issues

The uterus is one of the most hormonally sensitive organs in the female body. It responds to oestrogen and progesterone, the two primary reproductive hormones. When these hormones are out of balance, the uterus can experience a range of issues, including:

- Heavy menstrual bleeding: Often linked to excess oestrogen or insufficient progesterone, leading to an over-thickened uterine lining.

- Fibroids: These benign growths are often associated with high levels of oestrogen.

- Endometriosis: Linked to oestrogen dominance, where tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus.

Several factors can lead to hormonal imbalances, including stress, diet, lack of sleep, and exposure to environmental toxins, all of which can disrupt the endocrine system. Women with these imbalances often report not being taken seriously, which can prolong their suffering and contribute to feelings of helplessness.

What Can Be Done?

Understanding the role of hormones and how imbalances affect the body is the first step toward addressing many reproductive health issues. Women experiencing symptoms such as irregular periods, fibroids, or infertility can become more confident by advocating for themselves; ask for a full hormone panel or have this done privately, hormone testing, and consider how lifestyle factors such as stress, diet, and sleep are contributing to their health.

Hormones are powerful regulators of the body's systems, and understanding their intricate roles can help women take charge of their health. By recognising the signs of imbalance and how it can impact the uterus, women can make better decisions about their well-being.

References:

1. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology, Chapter: Mechanism of Action of Hormones That Act at the Cell Surface, 2011, 62-69

2. Role of oestrogen receptors in health and disease, National Library of Medicine, 2022 Aug 18

3. Endocrine Disruptors and Female Reproductive Health, Nature Reviews Endocrinology, 2021.

4. Estrogen Receptor Function: Impact on the Human Endometrium, 28 February 2022, Volume 13 - 2022

Epigenetics and Fibroids

Valerie-Yamina Bey — Sun, 22 Sep 2024 10:12:42 GMT

For years, fibroids have been a health issue that seems to disproportionately affect women, especially women of African descent. As someone who has also been affected and working with women facing these challenges, I’ve started to notice patterns that go beyond just the physical symptoms. What if there’s more to fibroids than just being prone because you are ‘black’? What if the roots of this condition go deeper, into the stories, environments, and traumas carried from generation to generation?

This question led me to explore the concept of epigenetics, and the more I learn, the more I’m convinced that the environment and emotional experiences of our ancestors may play a critical role in our present health conditions.

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What is Epigenetics Exactly?

Before we dive in, let’s clarify what epigenetics actually is. You’re likely familiar with genetics; the study of genes, those inherited blueprints that determine physical traits like eye colour, height, and even your risk for certain diseases. Epigenetics, however, takes it a step further. It's the study of how external factors—like your diet, stress levels, environment, and emotional experiences—can influence behaviour and thinking.

Imagine your genes are like the keys on a piano. Just because the piano has all the keys doesn’t mean every note will be played. Epigenetics is like the pianist, deciding which keys to press based on environmental inputs. Some genes may be "silenced," while others become more active, depending on various lifestyle factors, as well as emotional and environmental influences. The thing is, these gene expressions can be passed down through generations, meaning that what happened to your ancestors—whether good or bad—could be influencing your health today.