How Common Are Uterine Fibroids?
Uterine fibroids
are noncancerous
growths in the uterus. They are the most common type of solid tumor that can
grow in the pelvis. Fibroids affect 20 to 50 out of 100 reproductive-aged
women.1
Most women with fibroids do
not have symptoms. For those who do, symptoms can range from mild to severe.
Symptoms depend on how large a fibroid is, where it is, and whether it is
bleeding or pressing on an internal organ.
Uterine fibroids are more common:
- Among black women than white
women.
- As women age, especially from their 30s and 40s until
menopause, usually at about age 50.
Citations
-
Practice Committee of the American Society
for Reproductive Medicine, Society of Reproductive Surgeons (2008). Myomas and
reproductive function. Fertility and Sterility, 90(3):
S125–S130.
|
By
|
Healthwise Staff |
|
Primary Medical Reviewer
|
Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine |
|
Specialist Medical Reviewer
|
Divya Gupta, MD |
|
Last Revised
|
June 23, 2011 |
Last Revised:
June 23, 2011
Practice Committee of the American Society
for Reproductive Medicine, Society of Reproductive Surgeons (2008). Myomas and
reproductive function. Fertility and Sterility, 90(3):
S125–S130.