Any woman who knows that her mother, grandmother, or sister had fibroids in uterus at one time in their lives has probably wondered if fibroids are hereditary. After all, it is only natural to question whether a condition that seems to run in the family could eventually affect you, too. This is especially relevant when you factor in the well-known statistic that three out of four women will develop fibroids during their lifetime. If two or three of those women happen to be in your family, it can feel almost inevitable that you might face the same issue.
The short answer is that you are onto something: Studies consistently show there is a link between fibroids and heredity. So, if your mother, grandmother, or sister had fibroids, you are predisposed. In fact, the Office on Women’s Health states that your risk of also experiencing uterine fibroids is roughly three times higher.
With all that said, there are additional factors beyond hereditary concerns that can increase a woman’s risk for developing fibroids in uterus. Our uterus fibroid specialists at Fibroid Institute are committed to going beyond the walls of our clinics to educate women about factors that contribute to the development of fibroids. Yes, heredity is one risk factor, but there are several others to know so you can better understand your personal risks, recognize early warning signs, and make informed decisions about prevention and treatment.
If your mother, grandmother, or sister had fibroids, you are predisposed. In fact, the Office on Women’s Health states that your risk of also experiencing uterine fibroids is roughly three times higher.
Do Any of These Warning Signs of Fibroids in Uterus Sound Familiar?
- Heavy menstrual bleeding
- Periods that last longer than a week
- Cramps, pelvic pain, or pressure
- Pain during intercourse
- Need to urinate more often
- Back or leg pain
- Constipation
- Weight gain
- Bloating in the abdomen
Why Are Fibroids in Uterus Driven by Heredity?
Researchers estimate that 70-80 percent of all women develop fibroids between 35 and 54. These non-cancerous tumors develop from your uterine muscle tissue and tend not to stay the same size. They also multiply. Sometimes, doctors will discover fibroids during a routine exam and then refer their patients to a specialist to have the fibroids treated.
Some women with fibroids may not experience any pain. But those who do experience pain often say that what was at first minor symptoms or no symptoms eventually became increasingly painful as their fibroids grew and began to press against organs. The result is a varying number of debilitating symptoms, as mentioned above. Additional complications, especially if fibroids in uterus are left untreated, can include fertility issues, pregnancy complications, and anemia.
As for why they are hereditary, though family history does not guarantee that you will have fibroids, mutations in certain genes (e.g., MED12, HMGA2) have been found in uterine fibroids and suggest that there is a genetic component to this disorder. In a study published in The American Journal of Human Genetics, researchers analyzed genetic data and identified variants associated with uterine fibroids. One of these genes was FASN, which encodes a protein called FAS (fatty acid synthase). Because of this study, physicians believe there is a genetic component to fibroid growth.
In another comprehensive study, the objective was to assess the association between a family history of fibroids and fibroid development among Black women, using prospective ultrasonographic examinations to measure fibroid incidence and growth and systematic ascertainment of family history. What they found was that having a first-degree relative with a history of fibroids in uterus, primarily a mother or sister, is thought to be a risk factor for fibroid development.
These and other genetic variations can also affect how your body processes estrogen and progesterone, hormones directly linked to fibroid growth. That said, hereditary factors are just one issue that can increase your risk of developing fibroids in the uterus and determine if you follow in your family’s footsteps.
Having a first-degree relative with a history of fibroids in uterus, primarily a mother or sister, is thought to be a risk factor for fibroid development in Black women.
What Other Factors Increase Fibroid Risk?
- Hormonal control — We already hinted at this earlier, but estrogen and progesterone stimulate the development of the uterine lining during each menstrual cycle in preparation for pregnancy. This causes fibroids to swell. Fibroids can also grow in clusters to create a large, heavy mass. In many cases, they can vary from the size of a pea or bean to a melon or grapefruit and cause abdominal swelling.
- Ethnicity — Black women are three times more likely to develop fibroids than any other ethnic group. In fact, 80% of Black women will develop fibroids by the time they are 50. The rate of hospitalization for fibroids is three times higher for Black women than for white women. They are also two to three times more likely to undergo a hysterectomy and seven times more likely to have a myomectomy.
- Age — Fibroids are more common between the ages of 35 and 54 since they grow throughout a woman’s reproductive life. As hormone levels decrease after the age of 54 and after menopause, uterine fibroids can stop growing or even shrink, as previously stated.
- Vitamin D deficiency — One well-established fibroid risk factor we know about besides being Black is Vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D deficiency is not life-threatening, but it is linked to fibroids, so much so that women with sufficient Vitamin D levels had an estimated 32% lower odds of fibroids than those with Vitamin D insufficiency.
- Obesity and diet — Obesity is a risk factor for fibroid growth and contributes to telltale fibroid symptoms such as back and pelvic pain. According to the OWH, the risk for heavy women is two to three times greater than average, especially for women who eat red meat and sugary foods.
- Birth control — Some studies show birth control pills can help with certain side effects of existing fibroids, but it is worth noting that being on a regular birth control routine puts you at risk for uterine fibroids.
How Do I Reduce My Risk of Fibroids in Uterus?
- Eat foods that lower inflammation in the body such as berries, fruits, avocados, nuts.
- Lessen intake of high-inflammation foods such as red and processed meat, baked goods, deep-fried items, bread, and pasta
- Combine 800 mg of green tea/EGCG with 5,000 mg of Vitamin D daily
- Increase nutrient-rich dairy foods in your diet
- Avoid consuming too much alcohol
- Lower your stress levels
- Get more exercise
Can UFE Help If I Have a Family History of Fibroids?
Not all fibroid diagnoses are because of life-altering symptoms. Many times, fibroids are found by during a routine pelvic exam. So, if you have them, it is likely that they might not impact you like they did your grandmother, mother, or sister. If they do cause symptoms, you have options for treatment.
Thankfully, gone are the days when hysterectomies were the only option for women with fibroids. In some cases, it may still be the recommended treatment option. However, in today’s world of evolving medical advancements, we can treat fibroids and alleviate fibroid symptoms through uterine fibroid embolization (UFE), the gold standard in non-surgical fibroid treatment.
UFE is a non-invasive procedure that only takes about an hour and offers quicker recovery time than surgery (7 days for most patients). Rather than surgery, tiny particles are introduced into the uterine arteries and fibroid vessels, blocking the blood flow to the fibroids. This causes the fibroids to shrink and die. When performed by board-certified interventional radiologists specializing in UFE at Fibroid Institute, many patients achieve a high success rate with minimal discomfort.
Just a few advantages of UFE on fibroids in uterus when completed at Fibroid Institute include:
- Both onsite and virtual consultants are available
- Procedure is typically completed in under an hour
- In-clinic procedure instead of a hospital stay
- Recovery time is only 7-10 days, much less than surgery
- Tiny wrist puncture, no need for vaginal access
- Avoid side effects of pharmaceutical hormone therapies
- All fibroids may be treated at the same time
- No incision, which means no surgical scarring
- Over 90% of patients see a dramatic improvement in symptoms
- Patients get direct access to their doctor’s mobile number
- Practice rated 4.9/5.0 out of 800+ patient reviews at multiple clinics
Fibroid Institute Is Your Solution for Treating Fibroids in Uterus
Whether UFE is the right option for you or not, our team of fibroid doctors is always on hand to partner with you and your doctor to determine the best course of action. This is especially true if you are predisposed to having fibroids—such as through family history and genetics.
At Fibroid Institute, we do not believe you need to decide between suffering in silence and having invasive surgery. With multiple locations, our Dallas and Houston fibroid centers help thousands of women avoid fibroid surgery and find relief from their fibroid symptoms. Meet some of these women here:
We specialize in UFE because it delivers results in the least time and with minimal pain. On top of that, we simplify your UFE journey, managing everything from insurance to PCP communication and offering all patients physician-direct access before and after their procedure. Because experience matters, our board-certified interventional radiologists have completed more than 40,000 interventional radiology cases over the course of a combined 55 years of experience.
Request a free 10-15-minute phone screening to determine if you are eligible. If you qualify for UFE after the screening, you can schedule your onsite or telehealth consultation. Most major medical insurance providers cover the cost of UFE. We are dedicated to helping you become #FibroidFree. Get started now in Dallas at 214-838-6440, in Houston at 713-903-3733 or complete the form below.
This information is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Before starting any new treatment or if you have questions regarding a medical condition, always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health provider.
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*Patient names and/or photos may be changed to protect patient confidentiality.
