What causes uterine fibroids?

Uterine fibroids are a common benign tumor in the female reproductive organs. The causes of the disease are relatively complex. The main causes include hormone imbalance, genetic factors, stem cell mutations, reproductive factors, lifestyle and environmental factors.

1. Imbalance of hormone levels: Estrogen and progesterone play a key role in the occurrence and development of uterine fibroids. Excessive estrogen levels in women can stimulate the proliferation of uterine smooth muscle cells and form fibroids. For example, during childbearing years, especially around ovulation, elevated estrogen levels may increase the risk of uterine fibroids. Long-term use of estrogen-containing drugs and health products, or diseases that cause excessive estrogen secretion, such as ovarian granulosa cell tumors, may also promote the growth of fibroids.

2. Genetic factors: Some uterine fibroids are hereditary. If a direct relative in the family has uterine fibroids, the probability of the individual suffering from the disease may increase. This may be related to abnormal cell growth regulation caused by genetic genes.

3. Stem cell mutation: Mutation of stem cells in the uterus may cause them to have abnormal proliferation ability, thus forming uterine fibroids.

4. Fertility factors: Women who have never given birth, or women who have had their first menstruation too early or who have given birth multiple times, have a relatively high risk of developing uterine fibroids. Women who have never given birth have relatively high hormone levels in their bodies due to long-term ovulation, and multiple births may cause certain damage and stimulation to the uterus, all of which may increase the risk of uterine fibroids.

5. Lifestyle and environmental factors: Long-term high stress, bad eating habits such as excessive intake of high-fat and high-cholesterol foods, lack of exercise, smoking, etc., may affect the balance of the endocrine system, leading to hormone secretion disorders, and thus increase the possibility of uterine fibroids. Long-term exposure to harmful substances in the environment, such as certain chemicals and radiation, may also have adverse effects on uterine cells and induce the formation of fibroids.

The occurrence of uterine fibroids is the result of a combination of factors. Understanding these causes will help you take appropriate preventive measures, such as maintaining a healthy lifestyle and undergoing regular gynecological examinations, so as to detect and treat uterine fibroids at an early stage.