GITNUXREPORT 2025

Fibroids Statistics

Fibroids affect up to 80% of women by age 50, especially African-Americans.

Jannik Linder

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

First published: April 29, 2025

Our Commitment to Accuracy

Rigorous fact-checking • Reputable sources • Regular updatesLearn more

Statistic 1

Uterine fibroids are responsible for about 200,000 hysterectomies in the United States annually

Statistic 2

The estimated economic impact of fibroids in the US exceeds $34 billion annually due to healthcare costs and productivity loss

Statistic 3

The economic burden of fibroids in the US includes direct medical costs and indirect costs like loss of productivity, totaling over $3 billion annually

Statistic 4

Up to 70-80% of women may develop fibroids by age 50

Statistic 5

African-American women are about 2 to 3 times more likely to develop fibroids compared to women of other racial groups

Statistic 6

Approximately 20-80% of women will develop fibroids by the age of 50, depending on the population studied

Statistic 7

About 50% of women with fibroids are asymptomatic

Statistic 8

The prevalence of fibroids increases with age until menopause and then decreases

Statistic 9

African-American women are diagnosed with fibroids at a younger age compared to other racial groups

Statistic 10

Fibroids are more common in women aged 30-50, with prevalence peaking around 45-49 years

Statistic 11

White women have a lower prevalence of fibroids compared to other races, approximately 20-40%

Statistic 12

Uterine fibroids are often detected incidentally during pelvic examinations or ultrasounds, with many cases remaining unknown without symptoms

Statistic 13

African-American women are diagnosed with fibroids on average 10 years earlier than white women

Statistic 14

The lifetime risk of a woman needing treatment for fibroids is approximately 40-60%, depending on population and risk factors

Statistic 15

Fibroids are a leading indication for hysterectomy in women of reproductive age, accounting for about 30% of all hysterectomies

Statistic 16

The majority of fibroids are benign, with less than 0.5% being malignant or transforming into leiomyosarcoma

Statistic 17

African-American women are more likely to have multiple fibroids than women of other races, with a higher prevalence of large and numerous tumors

Statistic 18

Black women are 4 times more likely to require a hysterectomy due to fibroids than white women, exact figures vary depending on age group

Statistic 19

In women under age 30, the prevalence of fibroids is approximately 10%, increasing significantly with age, especially after 30

Statistic 20

Fibroids can be detected in up to 25% of women during routine gynecological ultrasound screening, many remain asymptomatic

Statistic 21

Studies indicate that fibroids are more common in nulliparous women (those who have never given birth), with incidence rates up to 35-50%

Statistic 22

The risk of fibroids is increased by obesity, with studies showing obese women are 1.5 times more likely to develop fibroids

Statistic 23

Black women are more likely to experience rapid fibroid growth compared to women of other races

Statistic 24

Uterine fibroids are more common in women who have a family history of the condition, with hereditary factors playing a significant role

Statistic 25

New research suggests genetic and environmental factors may contribute equally to fibroid development, though exact causes remain unclear

Statistic 26

Women with fibroids experience a higher prevalence of heavy menstrual bleeding, approximately 50-80%

Statistic 27

Larger fibroids (>5cm) are more likely to cause symptoms such as pelvic pain and pressure

Statistic 28

About 30-50% of women with fibroids experience pelvic discomfort or pain

Statistic 29

About 10-20% of fibroids are located submucosally, impacting the uterine lining and causing bleeding issues

Statistic 30

Fibroids can cause anemia in women due to heavy bleeding, affecting roughly 20-35% of women with symptomatic fibroids

Statistic 31

The size of fibroids varies greatly, from small pea-sized nodules to tumors as large as a grapefruit or watermelon

Statistic 32

Some fibroids stop growing after menopause due to decreased hormone levels, but others may persist or grow slightly

Statistic 33

Symptomatic fibroids often lead to significant disruptions in quality of life, including physical discomfort and emotional stress, in over 50% of affected women

Statistic 34

About 25% of women with fibroids experience bulk-related symptoms such as urinary frequency or constipation, due to pressure exerted by the tumors

Statistic 35

Fibroids tend to grow more rapidly during pregnancy, with some increasing in size by up to 100%, though growth patterns vary

Statistic 36

Fibroid-related bleeding can lead to iron deficiency anemia in approximately 20-30% of women, impacting daily activities

Statistic 37

Fibroids may interfere with fertility, with estimates that 5-10% of infertility cases are related to fibroids, especially submucosal types

Statistic 38

Pain and pressure caused by fibroids can lead to urinary symptoms such as frequent urination in roughly 20% of symptomatic women

Statistic 39

The annual incidence rate of surgically treated fibroids in the US is approximately 2.2 per 100,000 women

Statistic 40

Use of oral contraceptives can decrease the size and growth rate of fibroids in some women

Statistic 41

A significant number of women with fibroids undergo myomectomy, accounting for about 35% of uterine surgeries for benign conditions

Statistic 42

The recurrence rate of fibroids after myomectomy or other conservative treatments can be as high as 25-60%

Statistic 43

The use of uterine artery embolization is effective in reducing fibroid size in about 85-90% of cases

Statistic 44

The proportion of women with fibroids who undergo minimally invasive treatments such as MRI-guided focused ultrasound is increasing, with success rates surpassing 80%

Statistic 45

The rate of recurrence after uterine-preserving procedures can be as high as 30%, necessitating further treatment in some cases

Slide 1 of 45

Sources

Our Reports have been cited by:

Trust Badges - Publications that have cited our reports

Key Highlights

Up to 70-80% of women may develop fibroids by age 50
African-American women are about 2 to 3 times more likely to develop fibroids compared to women of other racial groups
Approximately 20-80% of women will develop fibroids by the age of 50, depending on the population studied
About 50% of women with fibroids are asymptomatic
The prevalence of fibroids increases with age until menopause and then decreases
The annual incidence rate of surgically treated fibroids in the US is approximately 2.2 per 100,000 women
Uterine fibroids are responsible for about 200,000 hysterectomies in the United States annually
African-American women are diagnosed with fibroids at a younger age compared to other racial groups
Women with fibroids experience a higher prevalence of heavy menstrual bleeding, approximately 50-80%
Larger fibroids (>5cm) are more likely to cause symptoms such as pelvic pain and pressure
The estimated economic impact of fibroids in the US exceeds $34 billion annually due to healthcare costs and productivity loss
Fibroids are more common in women aged 30-50, with prevalence peaking around 45-49 years
About 30-50% of women with fibroids experience pelvic discomfort or pain

Did you know that up to 80% of women may develop fibroids by age 50, with Black women being two to three times more likely to be affected—and yet many remain unaware until symptoms disrupt their lives?

Economic and Healthcare System Implications

Uterine fibroids are responsible for about 200,000 hysterectomies in the United States annually
The estimated economic impact of fibroids in the US exceeds $34 billion annually due to healthcare costs and productivity loss
The economic burden of fibroids in the US includes direct medical costs and indirect costs like loss of productivity, totaling over $3 billion annually

Economic and Healthcare System Implications Interpretation

Uterine fibroids not only lead to a staggering 200,000 hysterectomies each year but also exact an economic toll surpassing $34 billion—reminding us that these benign tumors are a formidable adversary both health-wise and financially.

Prevalence and Demographics of Fibroids

Up to 70-80% of women may develop fibroids by age 50
African-American women are about 2 to 3 times more likely to develop fibroids compared to women of other racial groups
Approximately 20-80% of women will develop fibroids by the age of 50, depending on the population studied
About 50% of women with fibroids are asymptomatic
The prevalence of fibroids increases with age until menopause and then decreases
African-American women are diagnosed with fibroids at a younger age compared to other racial groups
Fibroids are more common in women aged 30-50, with prevalence peaking around 45-49 years
White women have a lower prevalence of fibroids compared to other races, approximately 20-40%
Uterine fibroids are often detected incidentally during pelvic examinations or ultrasounds, with many cases remaining unknown without symptoms
African-American women are diagnosed with fibroids on average 10 years earlier than white women
The lifetime risk of a woman needing treatment for fibroids is approximately 40-60%, depending on population and risk factors
Fibroids are a leading indication for hysterectomy in women of reproductive age, accounting for about 30% of all hysterectomies
The majority of fibroids are benign, with less than 0.5% being malignant or transforming into leiomyosarcoma
African-American women are more likely to have multiple fibroids than women of other races, with a higher prevalence of large and numerous tumors
Black women are 4 times more likely to require a hysterectomy due to fibroids than white women, exact figures vary depending on age group
In women under age 30, the prevalence of fibroids is approximately 10%, increasing significantly with age, especially after 30
Fibroids can be detected in up to 25% of women during routine gynecological ultrasound screening, many remain asymptomatic
Studies indicate that fibroids are more common in nulliparous women (those who have never given birth), with incidence rates up to 35-50%

Prevalence and Demographics of Fibroids Interpretation

With up to 80% of women developing fibroids by age 50—especially among African-American women who face a two to threefold higher risk and earlier diagnosis—these benign tumors continue to be a hidden yet significant chapter in women's health, often silently impacting quality of life and fueling disproportionate surgical interventions like hysterectomy.

Risk Factors and Influences

The risk of fibroids is increased by obesity, with studies showing obese women are 1.5 times more likely to develop fibroids
Black women are more likely to experience rapid fibroid growth compared to women of other races
Uterine fibroids are more common in women who have a family history of the condition, with hereditary factors playing a significant role
New research suggests genetic and environmental factors may contribute equally to fibroid development, though exact causes remain unclear

Risk Factors and Influences Interpretation

While obesity and family history clearly raise fibroid risks and Black women often face faster growth, the ongoing mystery of genetic and environmental interplay keeps the path to understanding these tumors as tangled as the fibroids themselves.

Symptoms, Complications, and Impact

Women with fibroids experience a higher prevalence of heavy menstrual bleeding, approximately 50-80%
Larger fibroids (>5cm) are more likely to cause symptoms such as pelvic pain and pressure
About 30-50% of women with fibroids experience pelvic discomfort or pain
About 10-20% of fibroids are located submucosally, impacting the uterine lining and causing bleeding issues
Fibroids can cause anemia in women due to heavy bleeding, affecting roughly 20-35% of women with symptomatic fibroids
The size of fibroids varies greatly, from small pea-sized nodules to tumors as large as a grapefruit or watermelon
Some fibroids stop growing after menopause due to decreased hormone levels, but others may persist or grow slightly
Symptomatic fibroids often lead to significant disruptions in quality of life, including physical discomfort and emotional stress, in over 50% of affected women
About 25% of women with fibroids experience bulk-related symptoms such as urinary frequency or constipation, due to pressure exerted by the tumors
Fibroids tend to grow more rapidly during pregnancy, with some increasing in size by up to 100%, though growth patterns vary
Fibroid-related bleeding can lead to iron deficiency anemia in approximately 20-30% of women, impacting daily activities
Fibroids may interfere with fertility, with estimates that 5-10% of infertility cases are related to fibroids, especially submucosal types
Pain and pressure caused by fibroids can lead to urinary symptoms such as frequent urination in roughly 20% of symptomatic women

Symptoms, Complications, and Impact Interpretation

Fibroids, ranging from mere peas to watermelons, not only cause heavy bleeding—and the anemia that comes with it—but also disrupt daily life for over half of affected women, often amplifying discomfort during pregnancy and impacting fertility, proving that size truly does matter when it comes to women’s health.

Treatment, Management, and Recurrence

The annual incidence rate of surgically treated fibroids in the US is approximately 2.2 per 100,000 women
Use of oral contraceptives can decrease the size and growth rate of fibroids in some women
A significant number of women with fibroids undergo myomectomy, accounting for about 35% of uterine surgeries for benign conditions
The recurrence rate of fibroids after myomectomy or other conservative treatments can be as high as 25-60%
The use of uterine artery embolization is effective in reducing fibroid size in about 85-90% of cases
The proportion of women with fibroids who undergo minimally invasive treatments such as MRI-guided focused ultrasound is increasing, with success rates surpassing 80%
The rate of recurrence after uterine-preserving procedures can be as high as 30%, necessitating further treatment in some cases

Treatment, Management, and Recurrence Interpretation

While surgical and minimally invasive treatments for fibroids show promising success rates exceeding 80%, the persistent high recurrence—up to 60% in some cases—reminds us that in the world of uterine health, patience and repeated strategies are often required, making fibroids a stubborn foe despite modern advances.