GITNUXREPORT 2025

Fibroid Statistics

Fibroids affect many women; racial, age, and lifestyle factors influence prevalence.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

The complication rate for uterine fibroid embolization is approximately 5%, including post-embolization syndrome

Statistic 2

Uterine fibroids are responsible for approximately 200,000 hysterectomies in the US annually

Statistic 3

The economic burden of fibroids in the US is estimated at over $12 billion annually, including direct and indirect costs

Statistic 4

The annual cost of fibroid management in the US exceeds $4 billion, including surgical and medical treatments

Statistic 5

Fibroids that distort the uterine cavity are the most likely to cause fertility problems

Statistic 6

MRI is considered the most accurate imaging modality for diagnosing and characterizing fibroids

Statistic 7

Uterine fibroids are the most common benign tumors in women, affecting up to 70-80% of women by age 50

Statistic 8

Approximately 20-25% of women with fibroids are symptomatic

Statistic 9

African American women are two to three times more likely to develop fibroids compared to women of other races

Statistic 10

The median age for fibroid diagnosis is 40 years

Statistic 11

Fibroids account for approximately 25% of hysterectomies performed in the United States

Statistic 12

Fibroids are more common in women aged 30-50 years, with prevalence peaking around age 45

Statistic 13

Approximately 20% of all women will develop fibroids by age 40

Statistic 14

African American women tend to develop fibroids at a younger age and often have larger and more numerous fibroids than women of other races

Statistic 15

The prevalence of fibroids varies by geographic region, with higher rates reported in North America and Western Europe

Statistic 16

Uterine fibroids are very rarely malignant; the transformed form, leiomyosarcoma, occurs in less than 0.1% of cases

Statistic 17

Ethnic disparities in fibroid prevalence are linked to genetic, environmental, and socioeconomic factors, according to studies from NIH

Statistic 18

The fibroid growth rate varies, with some growing rapidly over months, while others remain stable for years

Statistic 19

Black women are diagnosed with fibroids at an earlier age and tend to have more severe symptoms than women of other races

Statistic 20

Overall, about 1 in 3 women who develop fibroids will require treatment during their lifetime

Statistic 21

The presence of multiple fibroids is common; 50-70% of cases involve more than one fibroid, often varying in size and location

Statistic 22

The rate of fibroid growth varies, with some research indicating about 20% of fibroids grow more than 20% yearly, prompting active monitoring

Statistic 23

The risk of developing fibroids is increased in women with a family history of the condition, especially if a mother or sister has fibroids

Statistic 24

Hormonal factors, especially estrogen and progesterone, promote fibroid growth

Statistic 25

The risk of complications from fibroid surgery is approximately 2-5%, with bleeding and infection being the most common

Statistic 26

Fibroids are less common in women who have never had children, with parity reducing the risk by about 30-50%

Statistic 27

The incidence of fibroids is higher in women who are overweight or obese, potentially due to increased estrogen production

Statistic 28

Approximately 10-15% of women with fibroids experience infertility, often related to size and location of the fibroids

Statistic 29

New research indicates that vitamin D deficiency may be associated with increased fibroid risk, suggesting a potential preventive approach

Statistic 30

Women who consume diets high in red meat and low in vegetables are at increased risk of developing fibroids, highlighting dietary influence

Statistic 31

Submucosal fibroids tend to cause more symptoms such as abnormal uterine bleeding

Statistic 32

Nearly 80% of women with fibroids are asymptomatic, often diagnosed incidentally during imaging for other reasons

Statistic 33

The most common symptom of fibroids is heavy menstrual bleeding, affecting up to 50% of women with fibroids

Statistic 34

Fibroids can range in size from undetectable to about 20 weeks' gestation in size

Statistic 35

About 30% of women with fibroids experience pelvic pain or pressure

Statistic 36

The average fibroid size at diagnosis is roughly 2-5 centimeters, but can grow larger

Statistic 37

Women with fibroids may experience urinary symptoms due to bladder pressure, affecting about 10-20% of cases

Statistic 38

Many women experience recurrent fibroid symptoms even after treatment, highlighting the need for ongoing follow-up

Statistic 39

Uterine fibroids can sometimes cause complications during pregnancy, including pain, fetal growth restriction, and preterm birth

Statistic 40

Fibroids are classified into subtypes based on their location: subserosal, intramural, and submucosal, with each type causing different symptoms and treatment approaches

Statistic 41

Fibroid size correlation has shown that larger fibroids tend to cause more severe symptoms and complications, affecting quality of life

Statistic 42

In women over 40, fiberoids are often associated with abnormal bleeding, anemia, and pressure symptoms, necessitating assessment and management

Statistic 43

The recurrence rate of fibroids after myomectomy is about 15-30% within 5 years

Statistic 44

Uterine artery embolization (UAE) is a minimally invasive treatment option for fibroids, with success rates of around 85%

Statistic 45

Myomectomy is often recommended for women wishing to retain fertility, with a symptom relief success rate of over 90%

Statistic 46

Oral GnRH agonists can reduce fibroid size by approximately 30-50% before surgery

Statistic 47

New non-invasive treatments such as MRI-guided focused ultrasound are emerging, with initial success rates of around 80%

Statistic 48

Approximately 50% of women with symptomatic fibroids report significant improvement after medical management with hormonal therapies

Statistic 49

The use of uterine relaxants and other medications can temporarily shrink fibroids, with some cases showing reduction in size by up to 50%

Slide 1 of 49

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Key Highlights

Uterine fibroids are the most common benign tumors in women, affecting up to 70-80% of women by age 50
Approximately 20-25% of women with fibroids are symptomatic
African American women are two to three times more likely to develop fibroids compared to women of other races
The median age for fibroid diagnosis is 40 years
Fibroids account for approximately 25% of hysterectomies performed in the United States
Submucosal fibroids tend to cause more symptoms such as abnormal uterine bleeding
The recurrence rate of fibroids after myomectomy is about 15-30% within 5 years
Uterine fibroids are responsible for approximately 200,000 hysterectomies in the US annually
The economic burden of fibroids in the US is estimated at over $12 billion annually, including direct and indirect costs
Nearly 80% of women with fibroids are asymptomatic, often diagnosed incidentally during imaging for other reasons
Fibroids are more common in women aged 30-50 years, with prevalence peaking around age 45
The most common symptom of fibroids is heavy menstrual bleeding, affecting up to 50% of women with fibroids
Fibroids can range in size from undetectable to about 20 weeks' gestation in size

Did you know that up to 80% of women will develop uterine fibroids by age 50, with minority groups like African American women facing higher risks and more severe symptoms?

Complications

The complication rate for uterine fibroid embolization is approximately 5%, including post-embolization syndrome

Complications Interpretation

With a complication rate of around 5%, fibroid embolization proves to be a relatively safe, though not risk-free, option—reminding us that even in predictable medical procedures, a small minority might experience its unwelcome side effects.

Economic and Healthcare Burden

Uterine fibroids are responsible for approximately 200,000 hysterectomies in the US annually
The economic burden of fibroids in the US is estimated at over $12 billion annually, including direct and indirect costs
The annual cost of fibroid management in the US exceeds $4 billion, including surgical and medical treatments

Economic and Healthcare Burden Interpretation

With uterine fibroids prompting around 200,000 hysterectomies each year and costing the US over $12 billion annually, these benign tumors are not only a medical challenge but also a formidable economic burden demanding better prevention and management strategies.

Medical Impact, Symptoms, and Complications

Fibroids that distort the uterine cavity are the most likely to cause fertility problems

Medical Impact, Symptoms, and Complications Interpretation

Fibroids that distort the uterine cavity are the notorious troublemakers most likely to derail fertility plans, reminding us that not all growths are benign in the journey to conception.

Medical Impact, and Complications

MRI is considered the most accurate imaging modality for diagnosing and characterizing fibroids

Medical Impact, and Complications Interpretation

While MRI stands as the gold standard for accurately diagnosing and characterizing fibroids, it's a reminder that even in the realm of imaging, precision remains paramount—because when it comes to women's health, getting it right makes all the difference.

Prevalence and Demographics of Uterine Fibroids

Uterine fibroids are the most common benign tumors in women, affecting up to 70-80% of women by age 50
Approximately 20-25% of women with fibroids are symptomatic
African American women are two to three times more likely to develop fibroids compared to women of other races
The median age for fibroid diagnosis is 40 years
Fibroids account for approximately 25% of hysterectomies performed in the United States
Fibroids are more common in women aged 30-50 years, with prevalence peaking around age 45
Approximately 20% of all women will develop fibroids by age 40
African American women tend to develop fibroids at a younger age and often have larger and more numerous fibroids than women of other races
The prevalence of fibroids varies by geographic region, with higher rates reported in North America and Western Europe
Uterine fibroids are very rarely malignant; the transformed form, leiomyosarcoma, occurs in less than 0.1% of cases
Ethnic disparities in fibroid prevalence are linked to genetic, environmental, and socioeconomic factors, according to studies from NIH
The fibroid growth rate varies, with some growing rapidly over months, while others remain stable for years
Black women are diagnosed with fibroids at an earlier age and tend to have more severe symptoms than women of other races
Overall, about 1 in 3 women who develop fibroids will require treatment during their lifetime
The presence of multiple fibroids is common; 50-70% of cases involve more than one fibroid, often varying in size and location
The rate of fibroid growth varies, with some research indicating about 20% of fibroids grow more than 20% yearly, prompting active monitoring

Prevalence and Demographics of Uterine Fibroids Interpretation

With up to 80% of women experiencing fibroids by age 50—and a disproportionate burden on Black women—it's clear that uterine fibroids, though benign and rarely malignant, remain a significant health crisis that demands more awareness, research, and personalized care.

Risk Factors

The risk of developing fibroids is increased in women with a family history of the condition, especially if a mother or sister has fibroids

Risk Factors Interpretation

A family history of fibroids doesn’t just pass down names, it also passes down risk, making your genes the unwelcome but insightful family trait.

Risk Factors, Disparities, and Etiology

Hormonal factors, especially estrogen and progesterone, promote fibroid growth
The risk of complications from fibroid surgery is approximately 2-5%, with bleeding and infection being the most common
Fibroids are less common in women who have never had children, with parity reducing the risk by about 30-50%
The incidence of fibroids is higher in women who are overweight or obese, potentially due to increased estrogen production
Approximately 10-15% of women with fibroids experience infertility, often related to size and location of the fibroids
New research indicates that vitamin D deficiency may be associated with increased fibroid risk, suggesting a potential preventive approach
Women who consume diets high in red meat and low in vegetables are at increased risk of developing fibroids, highlighting dietary influence

Risk Factors, Disparities, and Etiology Interpretation

Fibroids, fueled by hormonal highs, diet, and weight, remain a complex challenge—affecting fertility and requiring careful surgical management—yet new research offers hope through prevention and lifestyle changes.

Symptoms

Submucosal fibroids tend to cause more symptoms such as abnormal uterine bleeding
Nearly 80% of women with fibroids are asymptomatic, often diagnosed incidentally during imaging for other reasons
The most common symptom of fibroids is heavy menstrual bleeding, affecting up to 50% of women with fibroids
Fibroids can range in size from undetectable to about 20 weeks' gestation in size
About 30% of women with fibroids experience pelvic pain or pressure
The average fibroid size at diagnosis is roughly 2-5 centimeters, but can grow larger
Women with fibroids may experience urinary symptoms due to bladder pressure, affecting about 10-20% of cases
Many women experience recurrent fibroid symptoms even after treatment, highlighting the need for ongoing follow-up

Symptoms Interpretation

While nearly 80% of women with fibroids remain symptom-free and discover these uterine residents incidentally, the ones who do experience heavy bleeding, pelvic pressure, or urinary issues often face a size-ranging battle that requires vigilant ongoing management—reminding us that fibroids may be silent for many but can cause a substantial health hiccup for others.

Symptoms, Medical Impact, and Complications

Uterine fibroids can sometimes cause complications during pregnancy, including pain, fetal growth restriction, and preterm birth
Fibroids are classified into subtypes based on their location: subserosal, intramural, and submucosal, with each type causing different symptoms and treatment approaches
Fibroid size correlation has shown that larger fibroids tend to cause more severe symptoms and complications, affecting quality of life
In women over 40, fiberoids are often associated with abnormal bleeding, anemia, and pressure symptoms, necessitating assessment and management

Symptoms, Medical Impact, and Complications Interpretation

While uterine fibroids—classified by location and size—may seem like minor tumors, their potential to cause pain, pregnancy complications, and systemic symptoms underscores the importance of proactive diagnosis and personalized treatment, especially for women over 40 navigating the delicate balance of reproductive health.

Treatment Options and Medical Interventions

The recurrence rate of fibroids after myomectomy is about 15-30% within 5 years
Uterine artery embolization (UAE) is a minimally invasive treatment option for fibroids, with success rates of around 85%
Myomectomy is often recommended for women wishing to retain fertility, with a symptom relief success rate of over 90%
Oral GnRH agonists can reduce fibroid size by approximately 30-50% before surgery
New non-invasive treatments such as MRI-guided focused ultrasound are emerging, with initial success rates of around 80%
Approximately 50% of women with symptomatic fibroids report significant improvement after medical management with hormonal therapies
The use of uterine relaxants and other medications can temporarily shrink fibroids, with some cases showing reduction in size by up to 50%

Treatment Options and Medical Interventions Interpretation

While fibroids often recede under medical and minimally invasive interventions—showing success rates from 80% to over 90%—the persistent 15-30% recurrence within five years reminds us that, in the battle against fibroids, no one-size-fits-all solution guarantees permanent victory.