A 36-year-old member asked:
What causes fibroids to grow?
2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in

Dr. Denise Elseranswered
Specializes in Gynecology
Estrogen: Fibroids grow when exposed to naturally occuring estrogen. Since estrogen levels "swing" to higher highs and lower lows as a woman gets into her mid 30's and 40's, fibroids tend to grow and cause symptoms at these ages.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Kevin Carsonanswered
Interventional Radiology 31 years experience
Unknown: No one knows for sure what causes a fibroid to permanently increase in size. In theory a temporary increase in size can be caused by increased blood flow during phases of the patients menstrual cycle.
5.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Similar questions
A 21-year-old member asked:
Where can fibroids grow?
4 doctor answers • 8 doctors weighed in

Dr. Kenneth Adleranswered
Family Medicine 41 years experience
In the uterus: Fibroids are benign muscular growths that can occur in the wall of the uterus. They can occur on the inside of the wall, right in the middle, or on the outside. Commonly they cause no symptoms, but they can cause pain and/or bleeding, especially if they are large.
6.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
United Kingdom
A 34-year-old female asked:
What causes fibroids?
3 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in

Dr. Ted Andersonanswered
Gynecology 29 years experience
Smooth muscle tumor: Fibroids are growths of the smooth muscle of the uterine wall. These are almost always benign, but they can become large. Different people may have 1-2 large fibroids or multiple smaller fibroids, or a combination. Most are asymptomatic, but they can cause abnormal bleeding, pain, infertility, or mass effect (eg, pressing on the bladder affecting bladder function).
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Aug 1, 2019
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