What Causes Fibroids?

A common question patients ask is “What causes fibroids?” The answer is, “There are several factors involved.”

Ethnicity is a Component of Fibroids

Probably the strongest component is race. Eighty percent of Black women have fibroids, but only 30 percent of white women do. Hispanic women are in between those numbers, and fibroids are least likely in Asian women. So if you’re African-American, your odds of having fibroids are very high.

Fibroids Are Affected by Genetics

Genetics are probably involved in the racial differences. If your mother or sister has fibroids, it’s much more likely that you will too. There are specific genes that control a receptor on fibroid cells that are different between black and white women. And there are racial differences in a couple of genes that control the production and breakdown of estrogen. And estrogen is very important.

Estrogen Plays a Part in Fibroids

Fibroids are fed by estrogen, which your body starts making when menstruation starts. The more estrogen you have, the higher your chance of fibroids. That means that if you started menstruation early, you’re exposed to estrogen for a longer time and your risk of fibroids is higher. When you get pregnant, your estrogen level goes down. So the more times you’re pregnant, the lower your chance of fibroids. While you’re nursing your baby, the estrogen level stays low. So the longer you nurse, the lower your chance of fibroids. As you get older, you’re exposed to your own estrogen for a longer and longer time, so the risk of fibroids goes up as you get older. But when you go through menopause, your estrogen level drops off. At that point, you shouldn’t get any new fibroids, and the ones you have usually start to shrink.

And heads up! Besides being made by the ovaries, estrogen is also made in fat cells. This means that the more excess fat on your body, the higher your chance of fibroids.

Other Factors of Causes for Fibroids

There are other factors involved too for the causes of fibroids. Stress, diabetes, high blood pressure, and pelvic infections have all been shown to increase the risk of fibroids. Dietary choices also play a role. Foods with a high glycemic index (sugary foods), red meat, ham, and beer all increase the risk. Some foods are protective against fibroids, including fruits, vegetables, and dairy. Vitamin D is protective, and so is exercise.

One surprising factor is that hair relaxer increases the risk of fibroids. The longer a woman has used it, and the more times she has had a scalp burn from it, the higher the chance of fibroids.

There almost certainly are other factors involved. There’s a lot we know about fibroids, but for a problem that affects so many women, there’s a lot we still don’t know.

Treat Fibroids without Surgery or a Hysterectomy

One thing we know for sure is that if your fibroids are causing you problems, they can be treated without a hysterectomy and without surgery with the Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE) procedure. The uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) procedure will kill and shrink the fibroids. You can be feeling back to normal in no time at all without an incision, without stitches and without a scar. Despite what a gynecologist may tell you about fibroids, at Fibroid Institute Dallas we have a very high success rate at helping women heal, getting them back at work and enjoying their lives in as little as a week without surgery.

Schedule a Patient Consultation

If you are suffering from fibroids, please request an appointment for a telehealth or office consult. Dr. Suzanne Slonim, top fibroid specialist in Dallas, TX, will take the time to answer your questions about fibroids and UFE. Our team is skilled and compassionate in treating each woman’s unique situation. Call 214-838-6440 or complete the form below.

Fibroid Institute Dallas serves the DFW area including Dallas, Duncanville, DeSoto, Cedar Hill, Lancaster, Cockrell Hill, Grand Prairie, Arlington, Hutchins, Irving, Highland Park, University Park, Park Cities, Garland, Mesquite, Richardson, Dallas, Addison, Carrollton, Plano, Allen, and all of North Texas. This information is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Prior to starting any new treatment or questions regarding a medical condition, always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health provider.