A risk factor is something that increases your likelihood of getting a disease or condition.
It is possible to develop uterine fibroids with or without the risk factors listed below. However, the more risk factors you have, the greater your likelihood of developing fibroids. If you have a number of risk factors, ask your doctor what you can do to reduce your risk.
Black women tend to have more and larger fibroids at an earlier age. Asian women may have a lower risk.
Women who are overweight or obese are also at a slightly higher risk for fibroids.
There may also be a genetic link in the development of fibroids.
Women who have given birth appear to be at lower risk for uterine fibroids.
Risk factors. The National Uterine Fibroids Foundation website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Accessed December 19, 2018.
Uterine leiomyoma. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at: http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T115612/Uterine-leiomyoma . Updated September 27, 2018. Accessed December 19, 2018.
Last reviewed November 2018 by
EBSCO Medical Review Board Andrea Chisholm, MD
Last Updated: 12/19/2018