Fibroids Are Associated with PCOS

A large study of African-American women indicates that those with PCOS are 65% more likely to suffer from fibroids. We haven't seen studies of other women, but it's likely that women with polycystic ovary syndrome generally tend to have a greater incidence of this uterine disease than women who do not have polycystic ovary syndrome.

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Uterine fibroids are the most common non-cancerous tumors in women of childbearing age. They are made of muscle cells and other tissues that grow in and around the wall of the uterus, or womb.

The risk factors appear to be:

They tend to grow in women of childbearing age.
African American women are more likely to get them than women of other racial groups.
African American women tend to get them at a younger age than do other
women.
Women who are overweight or obese have a slightly higher risk. Women who have given birth appear to be at a lower risk.

these uterine growths do not always cause symptoms. But if you have symptoms, they may include:

Heavy or painful periods or bleeding between periods
Feeling "full" in the lower abdomen
Urinating often
Pain during sex
Lower back pain
Reproductive problems (infertility, multiple miscarriages or early labor)

PCOS Diet May Relieve Fibroids

Conventional treatment includes surgery or medications that can slow their growth.

The cause is "unknown". However, there is some evidence that an improvement in the quality of your diet will help to prevent this health problem.

For example, a study conducted at the Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri in Italy showed that women who ate the most ham and beef had the highest incidence of uterine growths. In contrast, those who consumed more green vegetables, fruit and fish had fewer growths.

Many of the basic principles in our PCOS diet book apply if you have fibroids or want to prevent them from forming.

Sources:
Wise LA et al, Polycystic ovary syndrome and risk of uterine leiomyomata, Fertil Steril. 2007 May;87(5):1108-15
Chiaffarino F, et al, Diet and uterine myomas, Obstet Gynecol. 1999 Sep;94(3):395-8