Fibrocystic Breast Disease
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Natural Cures for Fibrocystic Breast Disease

| Modified on May 16, 2024
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Fibrocystic breast disease is relatively common and can be considered breast changes rather than a disease. The condition affects the breasts of women, giving the tissue a ropey or lumpy texture. Earth Clinic readers have reported that the most popular and effective home remedies for painful breasts involve lifestyle changes, such as eliminating caffeine, and home remedies including supplementing with iodine or vitamin E.

What Natural Cures Can I Use for Fibrocystic Breast Pain?

If you have fibrocystic breast tissue, you will probably experience moderate to severe breast pain as well as unusual breast tissue and even structure. Common treatments can alleviate discomfort and help manage any additional symptoms. If you are suffering from fibrocystic breast disease, consider home remedies such as using iodine, taking a vitamin E supplement, applying evening primrose oil, and eliminating caffeine from your diet.

1. Iodine - Earth Clinic's #1 Most Popular Remedy

Thyroid function is closely linked to fibrocystic breast tissue. Iodine is the essential element that allows your thyroid gland to secrete thyroxin to function naturally. Supplementing with iodine is an effective way to reduce pain, limit cyst development, and eliminate the side effects of thyroid dysfunction on breast tissue. Try taking iodine pills or Lugol’s iodine drops as directed to treat fibrocystic breast tissue.

2. Vitamin E

Vitamin E has been used for managing fibrocystic breast disease for more than 35 years. Vitamin E reduces pain, relieves tenderness, and limits the development of nodules.

How to Take Vitamin E

  • For the best results, take 400 to 800 IU of vitamin E daily.

3. Evening Primrose Oil

Evening primrose oil is another one of the common remedies for fibrocystic tissue. It is a known treatment for “cyclic mastalgia” and other breast-related issues. Evening primrose oil contains a specific combination of fatty acids that that improves breast composition. This remedy also relieves pain and tenderness.

How to Take Evening Primrose Oil

  • Begin by taking three grams of evening primrose oil per day. 

4. Caffeine Elimination

Removing caffeine from your diet is actually the most well-known alternative remedy for fibrocystic breast tissue. Caffeine influences breast tissue, causing enlargement and swelling of individual nodules. Reducing your intake of the drug limits the appearance of fibrocystic tissue in your breasts.

5. Fat Reduction

Reducing fat in your diet is another way to treat fibrocystic breast disease. To best control the condition, you need to find a successful balance of fat to complex carbohydrate consumption. Try to achieve 15 percent fat calories and increase your total complex carbohydrate consumption. This balance reduces breast swelling and nodularity.

When Should I Seek Medical Attention?

Fibrocystic breast tissue does not increase your risk of breast cancer. However, you should maintain a regular schedule of breast exams and mammograms to keep track of tissue development and determine the cause of breast changes.

Continue reading below for specific remedies and feedback from our wonderful readers reporting the most effective treatment for tender breasts. If you try one of these remedies, please let us know!

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Apple Cider Vinegar

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Posted by Pat (Kingston, Jamaica) on 09/28/2009

Fibrocystic Breast Disease: Does using AVC helps in any way with this disease?

Replied by Bunny
(Santa Ana, Ca)
09/29/2009

I don't know about ACV, but look up iodine-and how flouride, chlorine and bromines inhibit its uptake.

Replied by Fit In Florida
(Winter Springs, Florida)
12/01/2012
★★★★★

Apple cider vinegar worked for me within 24 hours. Usually I have 2 weeks of breast pain, however a few days after the monthly pain started out of desperation I took 2 Tb of ACV in the morning. The next day the pain was 90% gone so I continue to take the ACV daily. Be sure to take the Organic Apple Cider Vinegar (unfiltered) because it has more of the curing stuff in it and I found that other brands repeat on me. No one wants to be burping apple cider vinegar all day.

Replied by Sharon
(Yucaipa, Ca)
05/26/2018

Breast Cysts: Can someone tell me the amount of Apple Cider Vinegar to take and how many times a day etc?

Replied by Faeqa
(Amman, Jordan)
05/29/2018
66 posts

Hi: The best remedy I tried for breast cysts is drinking 2 cups of Lady's Mantle (Alchemilla vulgaris) tea, within 10-14 days it will disappear.

Martha
(New York)
09/09/2020

Speaking from experience, I have fibrocistic breast, had surgery on both breast with benign biopys, the pandemic held back my third surgery in april, I was bleeding from my nipples again on my right breast that I had surgery 2 yrs prior, thank goodness it did because I was told I had no other option until I found information about iodine, purchase iodoral 12.5 potassium iodine on amazon and have been taking it since.

it worked for me, the bleeding stoped and papiloma heals. Thank GOD

Avoid Decaf

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Posted by Gigi (Greensboro, N.c. ) on 10/19/2017
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I too suffer with fibrocystic breast disease, and I only drink decaf coffee once or twice a week, and it still cause me to have breast pain and underarm pain as well. I was told a few years ago to stop drinking the decaf coffee, which I did. However, sometimes I just need a cup of decaf coffee.

Avoid Xenoestrogens

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Posted by Louise (London, UK) on 06/07/2009
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I would like to make some comments on the subject of Fibrocystic Breast Disease which I feel could really help others with this condition. Firstly, I have noticed some positive improvements with iodine, though I haven't been using it for long enough as it's only been a few days. I'm taking Lugol's iodine - 6 drops per day. However, I would also like to suggest some general lifestyle changes which also greatly help this condition. I made these lifestyle changes prior to using the iodine, as I've had the condition for approx 2 years. The first year I had the condition, I had pain 24/7, and high doses of Evening Primrose Oil weren't really helping. Then I made some lifestyle changes which made a huge difference.

I had read that Fibrocystic Breast Disease is caused by estrogen dominance in the body, and that in recent years this condition has worsened and now many more women than ever before are suffering from it. This has been attributed to the amount of 'xeno estrogens' which we are exposed to nowadays. Xenoestrogens are chemicals which mimic or behave like estrogen. Structurally, xenoestrogens are very different to estrogen but they are synthetic chemicals which may act as an estrogen. A build up of these chemicals in the body can cause hormonal changes to take place, and can cause breast cancer, uterine cancer, cervical cancer, cervical dysplasia, fibrocystic breast disease, ovarian cysts, endometriosis, adenomyosis, premature sexual development and uterine fibromas. Critics have proclaimed that these chemicals are for the most part 'weak'. However, they exist in the body in concentrations 100s to 1000s of times of the natural body hormones; also one researcher demonstrated that two 'weak' estrogens may act synergistically to give a strong estrogen response. Here is a list of things which contain chemicals which may mimic estrogen:

1. Pesticides & herbicides

2.Laudry detergent - laundry detergent persists in the clothes even after the first washing, gets on the skin and is then broken down by bacteria. It is then absorbed by the skin. If any estrogen is taken orally, it is 80 - 90% first pass metabolized by the liver before entering the body. In other words, the body only gets 10% of the estrogen when taken orally. By contrast ANYTHING ABSORBED BY THE SKIN GOES DIRECTLY INTO THE BODY. Looked at another way, ANYTHING ON THE SKIN HAS AN EFFECTIVE CONCENTRATION THAT IS 10 TIMES THAT OF AN ORAL DOSE.

3. Synthetic preservatives used in skin lotions, make up and body lotions such as the parabens that include methyl paraben, propyl paraben and butyl paraben. Also please note that many common sunscreen chemicals are strong estrogens.

4. Caffeine - According to a report in the October issue of Fertlity & Sterility, women who consumed at least 500 milligrams of caffeine daily, the equivalent of 4 or 5 cups of coffee, had nearly 70% more estrogen during the early follicular phase than women consuming no more than 100 mg daily, or less than 1 cup of coffee. I followed the above advice, and noticed a dramatic improvement in my condition, and would strongly advise any other women with this condition to do the same.

I was able to find alternative natural products for everything which I changed such as laundry detergent, I switched to 'soap nuts' which I now use with essential oils in my washing machine. These are available on the internet, as are shampoos which do not contain synthetic preservatives and soaps and skin lotions and cosmetics. I use natural zinc-based sunscreens instead of ones which contain the nasty chemicals. These natural ones do the job just as effectively as the others, and are readily available on the internet. I hope this is useful to other women out there!!.

Replied by Sandra
(Sudbury, Ontario)
10/16/2011

What if you are doing ALL those things - I have had FBD for about 2 years. When I started with Iodine - it stoppped - for about 6 months. Now its back (I am still on the iodine) so I am stumped..... Any other suggestions?

Replied by Sullykip
(Brooklyn, Ny)
01/02/2012

Hi Sandra, You say that taking iodine made the lumps go away for 6 months, so we know that it was helpful at least.

Is your water fluoridated? And/or does it contain chlorine? Because those each deplete iodine from the body, so a good first step in replenishing iodine in your body is to eliminate the "thieves" that take it away. A good 5-stage reverse osmosis filter will elminate 99% of the chlorine and 95% of the fluoride from your water. Otherwise you might look into other options--but look for a filter that is certified to remove what it says it does.

Also, in order for your body to utilize iodine, you must have certain other nutrients on board. These include:

--selenium.

--zinc

--vitamin E

--B vitamins

--magnesium.

--Tyrosine (the key amino acid for thyroid health).

I might suggest a basic "Thyroid Helper" type product that contains the nutrients needed for thyroid health, to accompany the iodine you are taking. It is dangerous to take iodine without taking the co-factors needed for thyroid health.

Alternatively, perhaps a high quality multivitamin in a vegetarian capsule.

Try applying the Lugol's directly to your breast at night--will absorb transdermally and hit the target area quicker. If it stings, then mix it with an oil that you know doesn't bother you, such as jojoba oil, almond oil, coconut oil, or etc.

Also might consider a hormonal balance herb that is appropriate for your constitution. As a health coach, I generally find that my clients benefit most from herbs according to their blood type.

Type A: Black Cohosh. 550 mg whole root, 1-3 capsules per day.

Type B: Vitex (also called Chasteberry). 500 mg, 2 capsules per day.

Type AB: Dong Quai. 2 capsules per day.

Type O: Kelp, 3-6 capsules per day. Or squaw vine. Or gelatinized maca, 3-6 capsules days 1-15 of cycle.

Sometimes excess hormones signal that the body is not able to bind and utilize the hormones it is producing. If you get your Total estrogen, total testosterone, progesterone, DHEA and cortisol levels tested, they may actually be quite low. Your levels of "free" testosterone and estrogens, however, may be high. This would be because your thyroid and adrenals are tired, and not able to bind and use those hormones. So you might benefit from glandular adrenal and/or thyroid support. Or if glandular is too strong for you, you could try homeopathic adrenal and thyroid support.

Replied by Terceira
(Nashville, Tn)
05/29/2012

I just read about reverse osmosis... Well, I used to have that, but it is EXTREMELY ACIDIC. I have (for the last 8 years or so) the Jupiter Melody ionizer. CANCER won't live in an ALKALINE body, but it will THRIVE on an ACIDIC one....

Replied by Özge
(Turkey)
10/19/2022

Hey there,

I have the same diasease and also have chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis diasease. And this with fibrocrystic breast are opposite. When I wanna do something for fibro., it causes bad effect to thyroiditis and when I wanna do something thyroiditis, it causes bad effect for fibro.breast.. Like eating broccoli is perfect for breast but it causes bad effect for thyroiditis.. So now I am confused :/

Mama to Many
(TN)
10/19/2022

Dear Ozge,

Well, that would be discouraging! But I am sure there is hope.

Are you taking medication for your thyroid? I have the same thyroid condition. I was diagnoses with fibrocystic breast disease many years ago, but haven't had symptoms in so long. I don't honestly think I did anything specific to make it go away, but I did improve my diet and health over the years. (It possibly coincided with me going vegetarian for 6 years, but again, it was a long time ago and I am not sure.)

Both conditions are inflammatory conditions. If you haven't cut out sugar, that would be a place to start. Sugar is really aggravating to anything ending in "itis! "

Essiac Tea may be helpful for the fibrocystic breasts, and shouldn't be bad for the thyroid.

Castor oil and frankincense essential oil can be used topically for the cysts as well.

How is your health otherwise?

~Mama to Many~

Art
(California)
10/19/2022
2312 posts

Melatonin should help with the FBD according to this review:

https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/472385_1#:~:text=The role of endogenous melatonin, breast diseases, and colon cancer.

Melatonin may also be helpful for thyroiditis, but human studies are lacking. Perhaps you can use melatonin to get the FBD ameliorated and see if it helps the thyroiditis too. If not, with the FBD ameliorated, you can try other things on the thyroiditis.

When you look at all of the methods of action of melatonin, it seems like it may be helpful for the thyroiditis though.

Art

sara
(the beaches)
10/20/2022

the harm is usually when you consume these things raw, the harm is greatly reduced when cruciferous veggies are lightly cooked.

Castor Oil

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Posted by Kimberly From Florida (Pensacola, Fl) on 07/17/2013
 ★★★★★

I have fibroctstic breasts from, I believe, birth control pills. I have cut out caffeine and that helped a lot. I also wear a non-binding and well fitted bra. However, occasionally I have painful swelling. I started using castor oil packs. I keep the pack on for an hour a day. By day two, no more sore breasts!

Replied by Gail
(Evansville, Indiana)
08/26/2015

Hello Kimberly, I was wondering how bad your condition was before the castor packs. In my case I have ridges and "ropes" that never go away the entire month and have been there for years.

Diindolylmethane (DIM)

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Posted by Smith (Los Angeles) on 12/21/2022
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I used DIM 100 mg for breast cysts, and it cleared them up in a couple of days. I had actually scheduled a mammogram and took DIM after reading an article about it. I almost canceled my mammogram, but decided to have once since it had been some time.

When I mentioned DIM to the female technician, she said there was a pharmaceutical product you could take. Of course, there was. But DIM can be bought over the counter, and is much cheaper and works. A win, win. I'm really surprised no one has posted about this.

DIM

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Posted by Sarianna (US.) on 01/25/2020
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I wanted to comment on breast cysts. I had a couple of them that would not go away. I tried all kinds of alternative treatments, and finally read about DIM (di-indolyl methane). I was scheduled for a mammogram, and took this about a week before. Well, to my surprise, the cysts disappeared. I couldn't believe it. I don't know why this is not well known. Anyway, I mentioned this to the tech who gave me my mammogram. She said they use something different, but it's a prescription. Of course. My mammogram showed no cysts or problems. I hope this helps.

Fibrocystic Breasts

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Posted by Jayne (Manawatu-Wanganui) on 12/26/2017
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Editor's Choice

I am 42 and have had fibrocystic breasts for years. I use lugol's iodine to treat them. It works every time. I just wish I didn't have to keep using it. I take 2-5 drops orally and always with food or it gives me a sore tummy. Sometimes I apply it topically but orally gives me much faster relief if I need it. I use the protocol for using iodine from the breast cancer choices website.

Flaxseed

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Posted by Celina (London, UK) on 03/11/2012
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I've had breastpain for a long time, and this last year it's been really severe, and not just before my period, seemingly at other random times. I read that flaxseed was supposed to be good for this, so I started taking it as recommended; one tablespoon of ground flaxseed in the morning and one at night. (It's also a remedy which is not at all offensive to take. It tastes good to me).

And, unless it's a fluke, I seem to be cured! Sometimes I forget to take it and I get the start of some pain, but when I start taking it regularly again it disappears once more. Amazing!

Replied by Gail
(Evansville, Indiana)
08/26/2015

Hello Celina, I was wondering if you had nodules or ridges or simply painful swelling?

Hot and Cold Therapy

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Posted by Mary (British Columbia, Canada) on 01/05/2015
 ★★★★★

I have had terrible breast cysts. One time I had 16 cysts asperated at once. Recently I had a cup of fluid asperated from one cyst alone. I've had 2 cysts become infected and had to go on antibiotics. I've had surgery twice. I feel like a freak, but I've since discovered how to get rid of them and I wish I had known this years ago.

This is how

- Get a hot water bottle and fill it with hot water.
- Now get a bag of frozen peas.

Put the hot water bottle against the cyst ( my bottle has a soft knitted cover on it) for about 4 or 5 minutes. Now take it off and put the bag of frozen peas against the cyst for about 4 or 5 minutes. Alternate 4 or 5 times ending with the hot water bottle. You will notice a difference the first time you try this. Do it the next day and you probably won't have to do it again after that. It tales the pain away quickly. It's really a miracle.

Replied by Karen
(Texas, US)
01/20/2015

Does this just help with the pain or reduce the size of the lump? I was diagnosed with fibrocytic.

Inversion Therapy

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Posted by Catelyn (New York, NY) on 02/25/2010
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I have painful fibrocystic breasts, especially as my period approaches. I have tried vitamin e, evening primrose oil, but they haven't helped with the soreness and pain. Last week I saw someone's post on this site using an inversion board for breast health and lymphatic drainage. Getting an inversion board is out of the question because I live in a tiny apartment. What I did instead was lay with my back on the bed and stretch off the side of the bed with my hands above my head dangling towards to the floor. I tried to get the steepest stretch possible. It's not very comfortable position but my back felt sooo good after. I stayed in this position for 5 minutes on Monday and 10 minutes Tuesday and Wednesday. I can't believe it but today (Thursday) I woke up with no pain in my breasts! Wow wow wow!!

I hope other women will try this and send their feedback.

Replied by Faithinhealing
(Forest Park, Ohio, Usa)
02/27/2010

Fibroids are a result of too much estrogen being in the body and not enough progesterone, hormonal imbalance. You can use over the counter progesterone cream, half the recommended dosage, without parabins USP grade. However, you should only use that for a short period of time because too much can cause a further imbalance. Dr. Brownstein talks about how iodine cures fibroids as well, and you can simply get the iodine at the pharmacy and paint a quarter size on your skin in the morning. You may want to watch it during the day just to see how fast it disappears. When I used the iodine, which is cheap, I instantly felt my fibroids shrinking more even though I wasn't having any problems since I had used the progesterone cream a few years prior.

Replied by Bmeyer17
(Carmel, Ny)
01/21/2011

Did you put your hands on the floor of just dangle, I want to try this. I am going for ultrsound for cyst in breast, I am sure I will be diagnosed with fibrocystic breast disease. I have been suffering with pain and swelling breast since 35 years old, I am 38. I just took parabans out of skin products 2 months ago and have had only 3 days of pain instead of 15, but now I can feel the fibroids and a cyst, so they are sending me for checkup. Has anyone else been sent for ultrasounds??? When I called to make app they said you are going to need a mamogram, I hear lots of false positives in women my age having them so I am staying away.

Replied by Avory
(Bellingham, Wa, Usa)
01/25/2012

Some more ideas on inversions:

1. You might try experimenting with Yoga - a centures-old practice for health/mental composure. Many poses taught can support lymph health. Like 'downward dog' or shoulder/head stands. Best to take a class with formal instruction if you're new to it.

2. Create your own inversion 'belt' and suspend from ceiling (this is what I use). They sell 'yoga inversion belts for like $100 but I created my own version for less than $20 - see below

Buy a "cargo tie-down or ratchet tie down" belt at HomeDepot/Lowes (they run under $20 usually). These come supplied with two large end hooks and a ratchet to adjust the length. Suspend it from two large ceiling hooks (make sure they're suspended in a large enough ceiling support beam). Hang over it from the hips, head toward the ground. Search for images under 'yoga inversion belts' on the net and you'll get the idea.

all the best

Iodine

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Posted by oddizee (Brooklyn, NY) on 08/07/2021
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I had sore breasts most of my life. Became very painful. I tried nascent iodine. Was quite a relief. Plus I had a little gut I couldn't lose. Gone now, because of the iodine. Product called detoxidine.

Replied by Cindy
(Illinois, USA)
12/31/2022
523 posts
★★★★★

I've always passed right by all mention of iodine until just recently, having developed lumpy, painful and swollen breasts.

As I've been exploring natural medicine since my teens - about 50 years - I've always been puzzled when I get sick but the fact was/is that I'm iodine deficient which makes total sense, given excessive exposure to bromine over the years and fluoride all my life BUT, even with mega-dosing of a variety of forms of iodine, I had steady and dramatic results BUT with zero adverse effects, which I thought was strange, but now I think it's due to my having cleansed and detoxed pretty regularly for half a century

I think the issues people have with iodine are simply detox effects, given that iodine addresses the other ANTI-iodine halogens (fluorine, chlorine and bromine) by dislodging them from the body's iodine receptors AND supplying the iodine necessary to take their place AND clean up the mess they've made PLUS restock the body's stores.

Since the drained iodine stores are also being restored, with supplementation, there's no need to bang the door down, as there is when you're cleansing in response to a bacterial o viral infection or otherwise detoxing and NOT replenishing an iodine deficiency because, unlike viruses, bacteria and fungi, toxins aren't multiplying so, you can be a little more gentle on yourself, with regard to dosages. If you don't have the time it would take to soldier through the more dramatic effects of detoxification, just back off the dose. Go slower.

In my own experiences over the past couple of weeks, "painting" iodine onto my breasts for the very first time, it was soaked up in just a few seconds. It was gone from my swollen, sore and lumpy breast by the time I started on the other one That's how depleted I was. I'm only now, after 2 weeks, able to stay orange but still for no longer than about 4 hours. My body is obviously taking what it needs, when it needs it so, there's no fear of overdosing.

I've been "painting" with povidone iodine (betadine) as well as taking iodoral but even after only the very first day of slathering on the PVP-I every 5 minutes, my breast was no longer sore, not nearly as "lumpy" and the swelling had gone down by about half. It's normal size now and not at all lumpy nor sore.

I did have a couple of super sleepy moments in the beginning, which I assume was accompanying the dislodging of the bromine (bromine is a nasty little sedative, used to induce coma).

Anyway, since many of us have probably been mega-dosing vitamin C and various other hammers due to covid, the detox effects are probably not going to be any sort of issue for us but, for others, I would imagine they can be quite bad,

One thing that those who don't detox or cleanse on a regular basis may want to think about is that supplementing iodine now and getting the detox effects over with and out of the way would be much better than having to take mega doses due to some sort of nuclear threat, event or accident and dealing with detox effects in an emergency situation. That would be bad. Actually that would be bad with a whole other suitcase full of bad on top of it, LOL - so let's not do that.

Iodine
Posted by Rebecca (Maryland) on 01/19/2019
 ★★★★★

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Iodine for fibrocystic breasts: Insert the soaked cotton swab inside and “paint” the vaginal canal. If you can reach your cervix, apply some there too. Lugol's iodine (2% or 5% work well) should be used, not the cheap stuff from the drug store. This absolutely works. I healed breast cysts using this remedy and still use it occasionally just to supply the breasts and ovaries with extra iodine because they need it. It also helps with general breast soreness or swelling before your period. All the best to you all!

Replied by Gee Cee
(United States)
05/15/2019

Quick q for you, Rebecca: is it ok to have a lot of iodine on the cotton ball? I always hear about "not taking too much" internally in regards to iodine in water, so I just wanted to confirm it's safe to do? Thanks~

Rebecca
(Maryland)
05/27/2019

Absolutely, completely saturate the cotton ball. Instead of trying to “paint” it on now though, I started just saturating the cotton ball and insert it like you would a tampon and just leave it there for a few minutes so the iodine has time to be absorbed. It can sting a little bit if left in for too long (I usually leave it in for about 5 minutes once or twice/week). Just listen to your body and remove it if it is too uncomfortable. Being mucus membrane, the vaginal canal is very efficient tissue for iodine absorption. I have not been able to tolerate oral iodine supplementation because it is too stimulating to the thyroid, which is why many people don't tolerate oral iodine supplements. This method is very effective and perfectly safe for supplemental iodine and it directly targets and is stored in the female reproductive organs (ovaries and breasts specifically). All the best to you Gee Cee!

Replied by Rebecca
(Maryland)
08/01/2019

I absolutely have to update my original post. Bear in mind I absolutely believe in iodine for fibrocystic breasts, BUT I no longer believe this deficiency is solely to blame. I posted another comment on the thread for flaxseed that put the entire puzzle together, for me anyway. My breast cysts came back recently with a vengeance after 3 months of flaxseed/flax oil use, even when diligently using iodine in the way I described.

After exhaustive research about this so-called “superfood,” the truth is that flaxseed is 10-20 times more estrogenic than even soy and causes estrogen dominance and all of the horrible diseases that follow that kind of hormonal imbalance! Please stop using flaxseed and/or flax oil, research estrogenic foods, supplements, herbs, etc. and read my other post if you need more information and can research my precautions for yourself. Take care!

Jade
(New South Wales)
11/04/2019
★★★★★

Hi Rebecca,

I am really grateful for your comment. I tried the iodine on a tampon (so uncomfortable to insert, but it did the trick). I have now prepared in advance some coconut oil and iodine suppositories. I havent used them yet but plan to. I am curious about the soy and flax and estrogenic foods... I have also heard the same that they aren't so good for fibrocystic breasts. One of my vegan friends says that these foods should be ok as they block the estrogen receptors and so its anti estrogenic. I would love to know the real answer to this. The only evidence I have is I took milk thistle, and that month I had really painful breasts... I saw a naturopath and she said that milk thistle is also estrogenic.... even though another naturopath recommended it to me in the first place (to boost fertility...). Now I avoid soy, flax and also milk thistle just in case. Thanks again for your updates it helps more people than you know. 🙂

Rebecca
(Maryland)
12/04/2019

Hi Jade,

I'm so glad my post has helped you and truly hope it helps others as well. The internet is a really tough place to receive reliable information and unfortunately, doctors (Holistic or Allopathic) don't have all of the answers either. I came across information about how highly estrogenic flaxseed is because of my own negative experience with it, which sent me looking for information as to why it was causing so many negative side effects for me. I too believed flax “blocked” excess estrogen by occupying estrogen receptors, so I took it sporadically for as long as ten years. Many, many doctors and “experts” recommend it for that theoretical benefit as well. I wrote a lot about my experience on the “Flaxseed” thread on this site, if you are interested in my experience and I also cite my sources and provide links so you can research for yourself as well! All the best to you!

Rebecca
(Maryland)
12/04/2019

I also wanted to provide a list of the most commonly used herbal supplements and essential oils with the highest amounts of estrogen for anyone trying to avoid excess estrogens: Herbals: Aloe, Ashwagandha, Asian ginseng, Astragalus, Black cohosh, Burdock root, Cat's claw, Chasteberry/Vitex, Fenugreek, Dong Gui/Dong Quai, Golden root, Hops, Kudzu root, Lavender, Licorice, North American ginseng, Milk thistle, Mistletoe, Red Clover, Rhubarb Saw Palemetto, Stinging nettle, and Turmeric. ​Essential oils: Lavender, Aniseed, Basil, Chamomile, Cinnamon, Clary sage, Coriander, Cypress, Evening primrose, Fennel, Geranium​, Oregano, Peppermint, Rose, Rosemary, Sage, Tea Tree, and Thyme. I will add another post with foods as well! ​

Rebecca
(Maryland)
12/04/2019

The following foods are highest in phytoestrogens: ALL Flax products including: flax seeds, flax oil, flax milk, flax crackers, flax cereal, and flax bread. ALL Soy products including: tofu, soy, edamame, soy cheese, soy meats, soy milk, soy cereals, soy crackers, soy lecithin, and supplements with added soy, soybeans, tofu, tempeh, textured veggie protein (soy), soy burgers, soybean sprouts, soy sauce, Miso paste, soy yogurt, and soy protein powder. Additionally: Veggie burgers, Hummus, garbanzo beans, chick peas, Sesame seeds, sesame oil, Multigrain bread, crackers, cereal, Black bean sauce, and doughnuts. Other foods that are slightly lower in phytoestrogens but should still be limited: Dried apricots, Almonds, Cashews, Alfalfa sprouts, Mung bean and sprouts, Dried dates, Sunflower seeds, Chestnuts, Dried prunes, Rye bread, Walnuts, Almonds, Cashews, Winter squash, Hazelnuts, Collard greens, Peanut butter, Cabbage, White beans, Peaches, and Red wine. ​ I know many of the foods, herbals, and essential oils I mentioned in my posts are usually considered healthy and many come highly recommended on this website as well. I am only passing along information to anyone who may be trying to limit their exposure to estrogens, so don't shoot the messenger! Best to you all!

Jerry
(Miramar, Florida)
04/16/2021
25 posts

Thank you..What can I eat?

Jerry
(Miramar)
06/19/2022
25 posts

Hi, that list is everything under the sun. What can I eat, for reoccurring breast cancer, I'm about to have another surgery in a month or so. Thanks.

mmsg
(somewhere, europe)
06/20/2022

Jerry, I've read that staying away from dairy should be helpful. Read up on it.

Aurora
(Mason city Ia)
06/22/2022

Hi, I would like to recommend Dr. William Li videos about what to eat to starve cancer. He also has a couple of books and a new treatment to stop feeding cancer. Check him out on youtube. I hope is a help, wishing you fast healing and recovery.

Replied by Nav
(Goldcoast , Australia)
12/12/2022

Hi there, I am having breast cysts. How long do you keep the swap there and how long does it take for cyst to go completely? Does it sting when you put it in your cervix?

Replied by Joana
(Luanda)
03/07/2023

Hello...

I would like to know if you can share Dr. Myers protocol of Lugol's on the cervix to treat fibroids.

I heard that, according to him, women with fibroids are supposed to apply a full thin syringe into the cervix to kill cysts and fibroids. Is that true? How many times a month I should apply it? Thanks

Replied by Felicia
(New york)
05/16/2024

How often do you paint the vaginal canal?

Iodine
Posted by Maga (Hawi, Hi) on 11/11/2018
 ★★★★★

Over the years I have occasionally gotten CYSTS in my breast and through a friend who read medical journals found out they can be caused by Theobromine, which is found in chocolate and coffee (decaf too) and that a remedy is IODINE. If I just eliminated the coffee and chocolate the cysts would gradually go away after about 6-8 weeks. If I took 1 drop of Lugol's Iodine solution in 16 oz of water one time a day for 3 days it would be gone in three days. Hope this helps you.

Iodine
Posted by Yorkshire Pudding (Helena, Mt) on 03/23/2018
 ★★★★★

In one of her books, Suzanne Somers reported that liquid iodine (food grade) swabbed at the cervix would be taken up and received by the ovaries to help produce the proper hormones for alleviating the problem of fibrocystic breasts. It works! Also move the tissue and lymph in and around the whole breast area for moving toxins. And try getting rid of coffee / caffeine for a time, to see if that helps. Best wishes!

Iodine
Posted by Brianna (Devon, England) on 06/03/2015
 ★★★★★

Editor's Choice

Ah, Fibrocystic Breast Disease: I know I shouldn't say this, but when I hear of a woman complaining about this, part of me gets really excited because I LOVE the satisfaction of being able to present her this cure that works 100% of the time (very few things are 100%, but this is).

If you're suffering from Fibrocystic Breast Disease, it could indicate that you're at high risk of breast cancer. Don't worry! This is an easily rectifiable problem. It's most likely that your body isn't producing the sufficient estriol levels (a component of estrogen) to maintain breast tissue (which is what's causing your painful boobies! ) and low estriol levels are linked to breast cancer.

The trick is boosting your estriol levels.

Iodine is an amazing way of doing this and I can see that many people here are advocating it. But something that these people are unaware of is that they're taking it the wrong way.

Iodine is essential for the function of our thyroid gland, however, this isn't going to help your estriol levels, which is key in rectifying painful cystic breasts. What you need is for the iodine to go to the ovaries to stimulate estriol production. If you're swallowing iodine, virtually all of it is going to go to your greedy thyroid before it reaches your ovaries.

The CURE:

Saturate a cotton swab in iodine (not iodide) and swab your vagina.

I kid you not, within minutes, you'll notice a dramatic difference.

Repeat twice per week until the disease goes away (usually in about 6-12 weeks).

If you're a chronic-sufferer of FBD (Fibrocystic Breast Disease), maintain with an oral supplement of 10-12mg of combined iodine/iodide (since the thyroid is more dependent on IODIDE and also plays a part in FBD).

It works every time. I hope this helps! :)

(This will not work if you've had your ovaries removed, sorry.)

Replied by Joyce
(Lansdowne, Pa)
06/05/2015

Will povodine idodine work? I have been recently diagnosed with fcb.

Replied by Brianna
(Devon, England)
06/06/2015

I'm sorry, Joyce, I have no idea. As far as I know, it's just "iodine", so if that stuff you're talking about is iodine, you could give it a try .If you're unsure and can't find anything about it online, buy yourself some regular iodine and swab that on your vagina. :) I've never personally heard of povidone iodine before, to be quite honest, haha.

Replied by Jennifer
(Carlsbad, Ca)
06/23/2015

I have 3 bottles of iodine all different brands and dosages but they all have both iodine and iodide. Can I use them? The highest is iodoral with 4% potassium iodide and 2% iodide.

Replied by Joyce
(Lansdowne, Pa)
06/25/2015

Hi Brianna,

I did some research and found out that Provodine can be used for douching. I remember I had to have surgery to remove fibroids and the douche they used had iodine in it.

Replied by Brianna
(Devon, England)
06/27/2015

Jennifer, I'm sure iodine with iodide is perfectly safe. :)

I'd do a little research just to be safe, but as long as the solution doesn't have alcohol (unless you want to burn your vag off) and it contains iodine, it should work!

Good luck! :D

---

Joyce, hi.

Good to hear!

If you ever have this issue again, try this method and keep up updated. I'd LOVE to hear! :)

Replied by Lavanya
(India)
06/28/2015

Povidine iodine is betadine solution...can we use that for douching or use pure iodine like lugols iodine...please specify as I am also suffering from fibrocystic disease

Replied by Lavanya
(Punjab)
06/28/2015

hi, Brianna, ..i am also suffering from severe fibrocystic disease ...I wanted to know whether I can use povodine iodine solution which has 1% iodine for douching as no other iodine is available at our pharmicist...it says its non stinging and non irritating to skin wounds and mucuos membrane

Replied by Om
(Hope, Bc Canada)
06/28/2015

To Lavanya (India) ---

Best to visit Dr. Sircus' website where you will find the best information, no surmising for your condition.

Namaste, Om

Replied by Chris
(New Orleans)
08/16/2015

Hi. Are you suppose to swap externally only and are you using the orange iodine that can be bought at the pharmacy? Thank you,

Replied by Goodhealth
(New Jersey)
10/07/2015

Question for Brainna's post on 06/06/15:

Could you be more specific as to where in the vagina you will swab the Iodine? I have a very large FBD in my left breast and have been applying topically the Iodine but if what you are suggesting is more effective, then, I will experiment on that. Thank you

From: goodhealth, 10/07/15

Replied by Tracy
(Mn)
10/27/2015

Is there a specific brand or location you can reccomend for getting this iodine? I have tried everything under the sun and have not tried the iodine and iodide method. Please point me in the right direction! A site to buy it at, well know brand etc?

Replied by Om
(Hope, Bc Canada)
10/27/2015

Tracy (MN) ---

On you tube you can learn how to make 5% Lugols Iodine. Visit Tony Pantalleresco's vid.

Namaste, Om

Replied by Janice
(Orange Park, Fl)
12/30/2015

I noticed iodine comes in different percentage. What percentage do you use?

Replied by Shan
(Md)
01/14/2016

Hi, how long do you need to be on iodine 12.5 mg before you expect to see results for fibrocystic breast changes. I have been on it for 3 months and I haven't noticed any changes. I want to figure out when to quit this supplement and try something else. Thanks.

Replied by Bill
(San Fernando, Philippines)
01/15/2016

Hi Shan...Your dosage of 12.5mgs lugols iodine per day is way too small to have any real immediate healing effect on your fibrocystic breast problem. If you have cysts then you are probably also hypothyroid and also remember that Iodine is used all over your body for many other different critical processes and not just for the thyroid alone. Your immune system, for instance, is heavily dependent on proper levels of body iodine for proper functioning. And so it will certainly take a while for the breasts to build up proper and healthy stores of iodine in order to overcome cyst problems.

In the Iodine Project research papers, Dr Guy Abraham also advises between 50 mgs and 100 mgs of lugol's iodine or Iodoral(iodine in a pill) per day to cure breast cysts or uterine cysts. He also advises that you should take the proper Iodine Protocol with companion nutrients whenever you take iodine in larger amounts. The companion nutrients and minerals are all fairly critical since they are there purely to support any deficiencies or other problems in your diet that might significantly hinder iodine absorption into the cells and storage sites of the body.

It has also been proven from the iodine research by Drs Brownstein, Flechas and Abraham, which is the most current research available, that iodine does indeed cure cyst problems because lugol's iodine is both anti-cyst and anti-carcinogenic. You can read their research here.

So please be patient and stop expecting rapid healing because this is usually not the way that alternative remedies work. Your breast cysts have spent months or even years coming into being so it is perhaps a much more reasonable view that you should not expect these cysts to disappear within 3 months -- especially at such a low and ill-advised LI dose.

I would also advise that you should avoid excess dairy in your diet. Excess calcium in the diet acts a goitrogen that inhibits the proper uptake and storage mechanisms for iodine and also tends to cause cyst formation whenever calcium is additionally in excess in the body. Yet another reason to make absolutely sure to take all the advised companion nutrients together with LI every day to help avoid problems like this.

Finally, here's what Dr Schlacter, another well-known iodine expert, has to say about iodine dosages for healing just low thyroid problems:

"..it takes about 3 months to become iodine sufficient while ingesting a dosage of 50 mg of iodine and a year to become iodine sufficient while ingesting a dosage of 12.5 mg of iodine daily" Source: http://drsircus.com/medicine/iodine/iodine-dosages

More detailed research and information for you here:

How Iodine Deficiency Contributes to Cysts and Cancer -- Dr David Brownstei(Video)

Iodine and Ovarian Research

Cindy
(Montana, USA)
02/11/2021

I'm hypothyroid & liquid iodine causes burning on my skin. I've tolerated potassium iodide though in tablets. How much should I take for fibrocystic breast pain? I have had problems with soy & paraben. Thanks!

Replied by Bill
(San Fernando, Philippines)
01/15/2016

Hi Shan...Some more research evidence for iodine acting as the gatekeeper of health for the breasts:

Iodine Research -- Breasts

Replied by S.T.
(Staten Island, Ny)
02/07/2016

How do swab the Vagina, do you have to insert it inside or just the lip area not understanding please clarify

Replied by Shernaz
(Goa)
03/22/2017

Hi, Brianna, I read your post with great interest since I am suffering from fibrocystic breast disease and would love to be able to finally heal! I did a lot of research on this treatment and my question to you is, would this treatment still work as my tubes are tied?I had a tubal ligation many years ago, but I still have my ovaries intact.Would you be able to clarify this point? If not would anyone else on this discussion be able to answer this question? Any help would be deeply appreciated.

Replied by Christina
(New Orleans)
04/29/2017

Can you please be more specific on the type of iodine? Thank you.

Replied by Moon
(Maryland)
04/30/2017

There's a book named, "Breakthrough", by Suzanne Somers (The Hollywood actress).

The book is a collection of interviews with certain progressive MDs. In this book, she interviews several MDs intensively about health, wellness and women's hormone issues, and among them the subject of iodine and fibrocystic breast disease came up-

Relevant points are that in the book, Dr. Johnathan Wright (JW) discusses the work of Dr. John Myers from the 1970's in an interview with Suzanne Somers (SS) as follows.

Here's a (Laboriously transcribed :)) excerpt from the book (pp.38-39):

Quote:
JW: Actually, if you take the right amount of iodine, your fibrocystic breast disease will go away no matter how bad it is. I learned that from Dr. John Myers in the 1970s, and it works every time. (Very few things in medicine or anywhere else work every time, but this one does.) You don't need to take Estriol; if you take enough iodine, your body will make enough Estriol for you.

SS: How much Iodine is that? I would love for this to go away in my body.

JW: First let me tell you about Dr. Myers. He originally worked in a dog lab with dogs [beagles] who had fibrocystic breast disease.(Beagles commonly get this disease.)

SS: Who knew?

JW: Myers was a surgeon. He performed an experiment with two groups of female dogs with fibrocystic breast disease. From one group he took the ovaries out and in the other he did "sham surgery", which left the ovaries in. In both groups he then swabbed the vagina area with Iodine on repeated occasions.The beagles with ovaries had their fibrocystic breast disease go away completely; The beagles who'd had their ovaries removed had no improvement at all. He concluded that the ovaries use the Iodine to make another molecule- He thought this molecule might be di-iodotyrosine but he had no proof-which in turn eliminated the fibrocystic breast disease.

SS: Why in the vagina?

JW: Myers pointed out that when we swallow Iodine most of it goes to the thyroid gland. He found that when he took out the ovaries in these dogs he wanted to put the iodine as close to the ovaries as he could get, so that it wouldn't get to the thyroid first. No ovaries, no effect.
At a seminar in 1976 that I attended along with about 30 other doctors who had been invited, Dr. Myers introduced two women with the very worst cases of fibrocystic breast disease that the 30 doctors could find. These brave volunteers had such pain that if they hugged their husbands it would be excruciating. Dr. Myers asked them to lie down on the table, and all these doctors were asked to palpate, palpate, and these ladies were wincing and groaning, because it was like hard painful marbles in their breasts.
Then Dr. Myers, with a nurse, takes one woman at a time into the exam room and swabs their VAGINAS with iodine. Thirty minutes later the women come out and the doctors are asked once again to palpate their breasts (good grief).

SS: Somebody's got to do it!

JW: You're right, but ast this point, the women are smiling. I'm not kidding; only one half hour later, the breasts of these ladies were perceptibly softer. It's no longer like marbles in there. Dr. Myers said, "Gentlemen and ladies, you do that twice a week until the fibrocystic disease goes away."

SS: These women had their ovaries, right?

JW: Correct. I went back to my clinic and we did that for our patients. For about a year and a half we must have seen every woman for twenty miles with fibrocystic disease. It got to be so common that the nurses were doing the treatment (you can do it for yourself also; it doesn't really require a doctor), and all these women were cured of fibrocystic disease.

SS: So this is for short-term use?

JW: Until the fibrocystic breast disease goes away, however long that takes. Generally, it's six weeks to three months.

Dr. Wright goes on to discuss the difference between Iodine vs Iodine for breast tissue, Iodine being "the one" for fibrocystic breast disease. He advocates the use of Lugol's or Iodoral.

I've read some people say swab the outside of the vagina and some say swab the inside and the cervix. I'm still looking for something more specific. Maybe I should get the book.

Replied by Kay
(Wi)
05/01/2017

Thanks for sharing this! Awesome!

I am confused about what type of iodine is swabbed vaginally.

Iodoral is a pill.

If Lugol's, would you know what percent? I wonder if betadine could be used?

Replied by Terry
(Ok)
05/02/2017
6 posts

. I take Iodoral 50mg a day. I have never felt better. This video by Dr Jorge Flechas will answer your question

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcNNKzsUIT0

Replied by Jen R
(New York)
09/05/2017

I'm curious though, do you swab inside or outside? LOL that's the only question I haven't seen answered. lol

Replied by Pam
(Wa)
03/28/2018

What type of iodine? Drops/tincture..?

Replied by Pippa
(Holland)
09/22/2018

With me, it hurts like mad, the wiping version. Had to take a sitz bath rapidly. I love Lugols 5% in drinking water. It gives good results. :)

Replied by Adrian
(Ga)
06/16/2020

Thank you for this Brianna. Do you apply it to the outside of the vagina, and/or the inside? And does it ever causing pain or stinging?

Has anyone else tried this?

Replied by Charity
(Faithville, Us)
06/16/2020

I use lugol's iodine 3-4 drops daily after a shower for prolapsed bladder healing. Those tiny taste sample costco spoon about inch long are perfect for this. I put the drops in the spoon and put it up in the vagina and lay on my back while it soaks in. I also use emerita progesterone cream there at the same time and on the pelvic hairline i use emerita estrogen cream. About a pea size of each. I take selenium https://thetruthaboutcancer.com/selenium-benefits-cancer-prevention/ to balance the iodine and dhea to add to the mix 10 mg every 4 days by capsule. Borax also affects hormone as do vitamin d with k and magnesium. So much to learn...so little time. blessings, charity

My prolapsed bladder was stage 4 in 2010 and was always causing me horrible misery. Now I hardly notice it at all, no foot pains, no back pains, no pelvic pains. I also had to stop activity when it began and now I do hours of raking, shoveling, and dragging stuff to burn pit. Another thing off my bucket list to overcome.

Replied by Anm
(Arizona)
09/29/2020

Just the lips? Or all the way inside

MissM
(NY)
02/14/2021

I am hypothyroid as well, and had same issue. You can try painting the soles of your feet, if chest is too sensitive, or belly. I also used iodoral tablets. Just try one to make sure you are not allergic. Optimism website has more information.

You would be surprised at how little doctors know about being hypo and getting chest pain. I was given painkillers, hormones which did nothing. I only found out about iodine usage for this condition by searching on the web. Iodine worked immediately on me. No more chest issues!

And then getting on natural thyroid meds helped, Armour and NPThyroid.

Replied by Natalie
(Victoria, Australia)
07/13/2022

Hi! To help remedy fibrocystic breast disease do you recommend nascent iodine? Or just iodine? What percentage for the vaginal/cervical swab please?
Thank you 😊

MissM
(New York)
07/13/2022

I had this issue. Terrible! Couldn't even sit in moving car my chest hurt so much. I used over the counter iodine and swabbed on breasts. Works! If you can get Lugols iodine later do so. Worked immediately for me.

Just to let you if this works it's an indicator that you need iodine and should be checked for being hypothyroid.

This is how I found out even though I was in “normal range”. Got medication using natural thyroid replacement NPThyroid and no longer an issue.


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