Fibroids - How common is it?

We're not sure how common fibroids are. Lots of women with fibroids don't have any symptoms, so they don't see a doctor. Also, studies looking at how common fibroids are have used different ways of diagnosing them.

A study using ultrasound scans found that about 1 in 20 women between the ages of 25 and 40 had fibroids. Older women were more likely to have fibroids than younger women.[2]
Other studies have found that as many as three-quarters of older women have fibroids.[1]

Black women are three times more likely to have fibroids than white women.[3] But we don't know why.

Fibroids are the most common reason for women to have their womb removed (a hysterectomy) or other surgery in the same area.[4]

References

Cramer SF, Patel A. The frequency of uterine leiomyomas. American Journal of Clinical Pathology. 1990; 94: 435-438.
Borgfeldt C, Andolf E. Transvaginal ultrasonographic findings in the uterus and the endometrium: low prevalence of leiomyoma in a random sample of women age 25-40 years. Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica. 2000; 79: 202-207.
Schwartz SM, Marshall LM, Baird DD. Epidemiologic contributions to understanding the etiology of uterine leiomyomata. Environmental Health Perspective. 2000; 108: 821-827.
National Institute for Clinical Excellence. Uterine artery embolization for the treatment of fibroids-guidance. October 2004. Interventional procedure guidance 094. Available at http://www.nice.org.uk (accessed 29 June 2007).

Glossary

hysterectomy: A hysterectomy is an operation to take out a woman's womb (also called her uterus). Sometimes the ovaries and fallopian tubes are removed as well.

This information does not replace medical advice. If you are concerned you might have a medical problem please ask your Boots pharmacy team in your local Boots store, or see your doctor.