What Causes Fibroids: Risks and Contributing Factors
Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous tumors in the walls of the uterus that affect women in their reproductive years.
Approximately 25% of women have fibroids, and this is apparent in up to 70% of women in Menopause.
Fibroids can cause various clinical manifestations and lead to severe complications, including infertility.
But have you wondered what causes fibroids? And what are the risk factors that elevate the risk of developing it?
The major causes of fibroids include hormonal and gene changes. Aging and family history are also significant risk factors for developing it.
Understanding these underlying causes and risk factors is crucial in preventing the development of fibroids and seeking treatment if required.
This comprehensive article elaborates on such causes of fibroids and be cautious to prevent them.
Causes of fibroids
According to the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, the exact cause of uterine fibroids is unknown.
However, numerous underlying factors can help in the growth of the fibroids.
Some of the most common causes of uterine fibroids in women are as follows:
Hormones
Of all the underlying causes of fibroids, Estrogen and Progesterone are critically considered the main reasons.
Fibroids are considered Estrogen-dependent as no prepubertal cases have been reported, and tumors tend to shrink naturally after Menopause.
In addition, a 2010 study on rats showed that Progesterone is essential for the growth and maintenance of uterine fibroids.
Gene changes
Some uterine fibroids are developed as a result of genetic mutations.
As per a study in 2019, the main genetic drivers for causing fibroids are MED12, HMGA2, FH, and COLA45-COL4A6 genes.
Also Read: To learn more about the role of genetics in developing fibroids, read “Are Fibroids Genetic: An Insight into Claims Behind Possible Mechanisms.”
Insulin-like growth factor
Insulin-like growth factor is also an important factor in the development of fibroids.
Both myometrium and fibroid tissue contain large amounts of Insulin-like growth factors compared to other protein growth factors.
The effect of Insulin-like growth factor, in the absence of sex steroid hormones, has a direct role in the development of fibroids.
Extracellular matrix (ECM)
ECM increases the fibroids and makes them fibrous.
Further, ECM can also store growth factors and induce biological changes within the cell.
Risk factors for fibroids
Numerous risk factors can play a role in the development of uterine fibroids in women.
Some of the risk factors of fibroids are as follows:
Age
Growing age is a significant risk factor for fibroid development, especially in premenopausal women who are older than 40 years.
The table below shows how age plays a significant role in causing fibroids:
Ages | Percentages of women having uterine fibroids |
---|---|
35-49 years African American women | 60% |
Above 50 years African American women | 80% |
Less than 35 years of white women | 50% |
Above 50 years of white women | 70% |
Family history
A family history of uterine fibroids can cause them in women.
Women who have a close relative with fibroids should seek a prompt medical diagnosis for the early detection of fibroids.
Demographic factors
Demographic factors, such as race, are also associated with the high-risk factors of developing fibroids.
For example, African women are more likely to develop fibroids compared to caucasian or white women at a younger age.
African women have three times, and Hispanic women have two times more chances of developing uterine fibroids when compared with white women.
Furthermore, African women may have fewer chances of fibroids shrinking in their perimenopausal years.
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Brufen 400mgEarly menarche
Many older studies have reported that women who tend to experience early menarche are certainly at higher risk of developing fibroids.
It happens because women who tend to have early menarche or late Menopause, on average, have increased exposure to the ovulatory cycles.
A longer lifetime exposure to the ovulatory cycle can increase fibroids risk.
Low Vitamin D
Vitamin D deficiency is an important factor associated with the risk of developing fibroids.
Further, Vitamin D deficiency is ten times more common among African American women when compared to other women.
Diet
Women who eat less plant-based diets, such as vegetables and fruits, can eventually grow fibroids at some stage.
Further, women who consume excessive amounts of red and fatty meat are also at risk.
There are some studies that support that drinking soybean milk can also elevate the chances of developing uterine fibroids.
Also Read: Want to know how to shrink fibroids with dietary changes, read “7 Foods for Shrinking Fibroids Effectively.”
Excessive alcohol intake
Lifestyle factors, such as excessive alcohol consumption, can also elevate the risk of developing fibroids in the following ways:
- Excessive alcohol intake can cause hormonal changes that play a crucial role in fibroids development
- Alcohol can decrease Estrogen metabolism, leading to increased levels of endogenous Estrogen
- Alcohol consumption can delay Menopause in women
- Alcohol can interact with Leutinizing Hormone (LH) and affect the release of Estrogen
Obesity
As per some research reports, obese women are at a greater risk of having uterine fibroids.
The possible explanations for the association between fibroids and obese women are:
- Altered sex hormone metabolism: An increase in body fat can increase Estrogen levels, and Estrogen is a driver of uterine fibroids
- Inflammation: When fat cells accumulate, inflammatory Cytokines increase, increasing ECM growth in fibroids
- Reduced Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG) levels: Reduced SHBG leads to more free Estrogen in obese women
High blood pressure
Elevated blood pressure can cause injury to the smooth muscle cells and release of Cytokines.
Therefore, women with high blood pressure can develop uterine fibroids.
Using hair relaxers
The use of hair relaxers has also been associated with causing fibroids.
It contains certain compounds, such as Phthalate, which can cause hormonal fluctuation and, thus, cause fibroids.
Stress
There is a close association between stress and the risks of fibroid development.
As per a report published by the National Library of Medicine, high-stress intensity can be associated with the development of fibroids in the white women group compared to women without stress.
Further, the only association between high stress intensity and the risk of developing fibroids was found among black women.
No history of pregnancy
Having no previous pregnancy and childbirth is also associated with the risk of developing fibroids.
Women who have a history of pregnancy of up to two children or more are at a lower risk of fibroid development.
Conclusion
The exact cause of fibroids is still unknown.
However, certain factors can elevate the risk of developing fibroids.
The causes of fibroids include hormones, such as Estrogen and Progesterone, gene changes, and Extracellular Matrix (ECM).
The factors that can increase the risk of developing fibroids are old age, certain race, family history, early onset of periods, and late Menopause.
Low Vitamin D and dietary changes, such as not eating enough fruits and vegetables and eating excessive amounts of red meat and soybean milk, can also cause fibroids.
Further, excessive alcohol intake, obesity, high blood pressure, stress, using hair relaxers, and having no prior history of pregnancy can increase the risk.
Therefore, people should consult a healthcare practitioner for routine examination for early detection of the condition.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes uterine fibroids to grow?
The causes of fibroids include hormones, such as Estrogen and Progesterone, changes in genes, ECM, and Insulin-like growth factors. Furthermore, certain factors can increase the risk of developing fibroids, such as age, race, family history, Vitamin D deficiency, eating less vegetables and fruits, excessive alcohol consumption, and high blood pressure.
What is the main cause of fibroids?
The exact cause of fibroids is unknown. However, the main causes of fibroids include Estrogen and Progesterone, which are recognized to grow and maintain fibroids’ growth. Furthermore, changes in ECM and genes can also increase the risk of developing fibroids.
What lifestyle causes fibroids?
The lifestyle activities that can cause fibroids include excessive alcohol consumption and being overweight. Further, eating fewer vegetables and fruits, excessive consumption of fatty meat and soybean milk, and Vitamin D deficiency can cause fibroids.
What causes fibroids to go away?
Fibroids can be prevented by eating vegetables and fruits, reducing the amount of fatty meat and soybean milk consumption, and including a Vitamin D-rich diet. Further, women should consult a healthcare practitioner to seek medical attention for a faster recovery.
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