Heavy periods. Clotting. Bloating. Pressure. Fatigue. These are common symptoms for people with fibroids.
In this case, my client also struggled with irritability, low mood and feeling more reactive. It felt like PMS, but it would happen for most of the month.
She was told that they would keep an eye on it and if it grows bigger, they will operate, but she wanted to be proactive and see if she could do something about it herself.
The Client
Female, early 40s
History of:
- Fibroids
- Heavy, prolonged periods with clotting
- Bloating and abdominal discomfort
- Fatigue
Alongside this, she also reported:
- Irritability, particularly in the second half of her cycle
- Low mood and reduced resilience
- A sense that PMS felt almost constant, rather than cyclical
She had previously been told her blood tests were normal.
Why did she choose DUTCH testing?
At this point, she wanted to understand exactly what her hormones were doing and how they were influencing her symptoms.
So we used DUTCH testing to look at:
- Oestrogen metabolism
- Progesterone balance
- Cortisol patterns
- Clearance pathways
What the DUTCH test showed.
Her results indicated a shift toward more growth-promoting oestrogen pathways. Her results showed a greater shift toward 16-OH oestrogen, with less activity through the more protective 2-OH pathway. 16-OH oestrogen is more strongly associated with tissue growth and, therefore, fibroids. So even where total oestrogen isn’t significantly elevated, the way it is being metabolised can still drive fibroid development.
Slower clearance of oestrogen
There were also signs that oestrogen wasn’t being cleared efficiently. This can lead to recirculation and prolonged exposure at the tissue level.
Clinically, this links back to:
- Liver support needs
- Nutrient insufficiencies
- Gut involvement, including beta-glucuronidase activity
Lower progesterone relative to oestrogen
Her progesterone levels were on the lower side. Progesterone has an important regulatory effect, which includes supporting and regulating the nervous system. Without that balance, oestrogen’s effects become more dominant, both physically and neurologically.
Dysregulated cortisol pattern
Her cortisol rhythm suggested a degree of ongoing stress activation. This has a knock-on effect in two ways:
- It influences hormone metabolism and inflammatory signalling
- It can suppress ovulation, which reduces progesterone further
Fibroids and mental health symptoms
When you place these results alongside her symptoms, the emotional side of the picture makes more sense.
Oestrogen plays a key role in neurotransmitter activity, particularly serotonin and dopamine. When oestrogen is not being processed efficiently, or is shifting down more stimulatory pathways, mood can become less stable. Not necessarily severely low, but more reactive, more changeable.
At the same time, lower progesterone reduces the calming influence on the nervous system. This often shows up as increased irritability, feeling more on edge and less able to tolerate stress.
Her cortisol pattern added another layer, reinforcing that sense of being constantly on high alert, which can feed into both mood symptoms and hormone imbalance.
Her fibroids and her mood symptoms were seen as separate issues but they were part of the same pattern. Oestrogen metabolism was influencing tissue growth and progesterone was not providing sufficient balance. Stress was reinforcing both and these same mechanisms were also affecting brain chemistry and emotional resilience. Because we had this information, we weren’t guessing. We were able to focus on the areas that were most likely driving her symptoms:
- Supporting oestrogen metabolism toward more protective pathways
- Improving clearance through liver and gut support
- Supporting progesterone levels
- Reducing overall stress load and supporting cortisol rhythm
Alongside this, diet and lifestyle were used strategically to support these specific pathways.
Over time, she reported:
- Lighter, more manageable periods
- Reduced clotting
- Less bloating and abdominal discomfort
- Improved energy
- More stable mood
- Reduced irritability
Fibroids are often approached as a structural issue or something to monitor. But this case highlights that the environment driving fibroid growth is influenced by hormone metabolism, clearance, and stress and these same factors also affect how someone feels day to day. Without looking at this level, it’s easy to miss the full picture.
If you’re dealing with fibroids
And you’ve been told your hormones are normal, but things don’t feel right both physically and emotionally, it may be worth looking a bit deeper.
Exploring this further
If you’d like to understand your own hormone patterns, you can:
- Book an initial consultation or
- Start with DUTCH testing and review your results in context
Disclaimer
This case study is shared for educational purposes. Individual responses vary, and recommendations should always be tailored to your personal health history.
