Uterine Fibroids and Hysterectomy - Causes

Risk Factors

Uterine fibroids are the most common tumor found in female reproductive organs.

Age

Fibroids are most common in women who are their 30s through early 50s. (After menopause, fibroids tend to shrink.) About 20 - 40% of women age 35 and older have fibroids of significant enough size to cause symptoms.

Race and Ethnicity

Uterine fibroids are particularly common in African-American women, and these women tend to develop them at a younger age than white women.

Family History

Family history, (having a mother or sister who had fibroids), may increase risk.

Other Possible Risk Factors

Obesity and high blood pressure may possibly be associated with increased fibroid risk

Review Date: 07/26/2010
Reviewed By: Reviewed by Harvey Simon, MD, Editor-in-Chief, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).

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