Natural treatments for cervical dysplasia
Cervical dysplasia refers to the presence of abnormal cells on the cervix that can develop into cervical cancer if not monitored or treated properly. Natural treatments are often proposed as supplementary options during the early stages of dysplasia, particularly while waiting for medical evaluations. Some herbs and supplements, such as black cohosh, blessed thistle, and diindolylmethane, are sometimes suggested to potentially improve the chances of the cervix returning to normal. However, it's important to note that there is no reliable scientific evidence confirming the effectiveness of these remedies. Nutritional deficiencies, particularly in folate, vitamin C, and selenium, have been associated with cervical dysplasia, yet supplementation has not shown to reverse existing dysplasia. While some practitioners advocate for natural treatments, they emphasize the necessity of close medical supervision and caution against relying solely on alternative therapies, especially for advanced cases. Regular screening and medical guidance remain critical components of managing cervical dysplasia.
Natural treatments for cervical dysplasia
- DEFINITION: Treatment of the precancerous stages of cervical cancer.
- PRINCIPAL PROPOSED NATURAL TREATMENTS: None
- OTHER PROPOSED NATURAL TREATMENTS: Black cohosh, blessed thistle, dehydroepiandrosterone, diindolylmethane, emmenagogue herb, false unicorn, folate, indole-3-carbinol, motherwort, multivitamin/mineral supplements, selenium, squaw vine, true unicorn
Introduction
Few cancers can be identified so far ahead of the danger point as cancer of the cervix. A decade or more before invasive cancer develops, the cells lining the surface of the cervix begin to show changes visible under a microscope–in plenty of time for definitive treatment. For this reason, a regular, properly performed and interpreted Pap test is one of medicine’s most effective preventive methods.
The stages of progression from a healthy cervix to one that is cancerous begin with what is called mild dysplasia: precancerous alterations in structure and activity. Prolonged infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) is thought to be the primary cause of these changes. Subsequently, altered cells spread from the surface of the cervix down toward the underlying tissue. In the early stages, cancerous changes may disappear on their own, but once these cells fully penetrate the lining, progression to true cancer usually occurs within five to ten years.
Medical treatment consists of watchful waiting for spontaneous regression during the early stages of dysplasia and, if no regression occurs, more aggressive removal of the cervical lining by laser, freezing, or other techniques. These options are usually successful; however, they are invasive and frequently uncomfortable. The HPV vaccine has been shown to significantly reduce cancer risk, particularly for cervical cancer and other HPV-related cancers.
Proposed Natural Treatments
It has been claimed that certain natural herbs and supplements can improve the odds of early stages of dysplasia returning to normal cells. If a woman’s physician suggests watchful waiting and a repeat examination, it should be safe to try some of these methods during the waiting period. There is, however, no reliable scientific evidence that these treatments are effective, and in all circumstances, close medical supervision is necessary to verify good results or identify failure. Alternative treatment is definitely not advisable for advanced cervical dysplasia.
Folate deficiency is thought to increase the ease with which cervical cancer can develop. However, taking extra folate does not appear to reverse cervical dysplasia once it has occurred. Indole-3-carbinol (I3C) is a substance found in vegetables in the broccoli family. One small, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial found evidence that I3C at a dose of 200 or 400 milligrams (mg) per day can improve the chances of cervical dysplasia returning to normal by itself. The related substance diindolylmethane might also help.
Observational studies have found that women with cervical dysplasia tend to show a high frequency of general nutritional deficiencies, as high as 67 percent in one survey. Particular vitamin deficiencies most closely associated with cervical dysplasia include beta-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin B6, selenium, and folate. However, observational studies are notoriously unreliable; it is quite possible, for example, that people who do not eat healthily also have other risk factors for cervical dysplasia. Only double-blind, placebo-controlled studies can actually show a treatment effective, and these have not been promising. For example, a double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 141 women found that neither vitamin C nor beta-carotene supplements taken daily in doses of 500 mg and 30 mg, respectively, could reverse cervical dysplasia. Negative results were also seen in studies that investigated beta-carotene by itself.
Some practitioners of herbal medicine feel that a class of herbs known as emmenagogues can be helpful in cervical dysplasia. These include squaw vine, motherwort, true unicorn, false unicorn, black cohosh, and blessed thistle. However, there is no meaningful scientific evidence to indicate that any of these herbs are effective for cervical dysplasia. Vaginal use of the hormone dehydroepiandrosterone has also been suggested for the treatment of early cervical dysplasia, but no controlled studies have been reported.
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