Fibroids

What Are Fibroid Symptoms?

Depending on the size, location and quantity of fibroids, these symptoms may occur:

• Heavy, prolonged menstrual bleeding, sometimes with clots, that can lead to anemia
• Bloating or an enlarged abdomen
• Pelvic pain or pressure
• Pain during or after sexual intercourse
• Need to urinate more often, and/or difficulty urinating
• Constipation
• Back or leg pain
• Difficulty conceiving or carrying a pregnancy

What Are Fibroid Risk Factors?

1. Age: Fibroids are most common in women aged 30 to 50. After menopause, fibroids usually shrink.
2. Family history: If the patient’s mother had fibroids, her risk is about three times higher than average.
3. Ethnic origin: Black women are more likely to develop fibroids than white women. As many as 50% of Black women have fibroids of a significant size.
4. Obesity: Women who are overweight are at higher risk. For very heavy women, the risk is two to three times greater than average. Women who do not engage in physical activity are also at a higher risk.
5. Eating habits: An unbalanced diet that is high in red meat (e.g., beef) and ham, and low in vegetables, is linked with a higher risk of fibroids.

Other risk factors include high blood pressure, beginning menstruation before the age of 10, and never having given birth.