Uterine fibroids are common benign tumors of the myometrium. A number of risk factors may impact the number and size of the these lesions.
Parameter
Increased Risk
Decreased Risk
pregnancies lasting >= 20 weeks (parous)
0 (nulliparous)
>= 6
age and menstrual status
>= 40 years
postmenopausal without HRT
family history of uterine fibroids
present
NA
body weight
obesity
below 55 kg
cigarette smoking
pack per day
race
Black
oral contraceptives
prolonged use, use of Depo-Provera
where:
• Parity indicates the number of pregnancies lasting 20+ weeks (Stewart, 2001).
• Depo-Provera = depot medroxyprogesterone acetate
• HRT = hormone replacement therapy
According to Ross et al, many of the factors associated with increased risk represent conditions of unopposed estrogen exposure.
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Specialty: Obstetrics & Gynecology
ICD-10: ,
